The Highline College campus was alive with celebration on June 16 as students, friends and family came together to celebrate our 2022 graduates at Highline’s second “Cross the Stage” Commencement event.

Instead of packing the ShoWare Center, where Commencement has traditionally been held in past years, hundreds of graduates walked across a stage in Building 8 to pick up their diploma covers on campus. They were then able to take professional photos, grab a Commencement lawn sign, free Alumni swag, eat at food trucks, take photos at a photo booth, dance to DJ music and more.

That evening, families again came together to watch Virtual Commencement at home. Together, in heart, they celebrated the college’s 2022 Commencement ceremony.
Approximately 425 students of 1,404 students who graduated in the 2021-22 academic year participated in the Cross the Stage event while 369 participated in the Virtual Commencement ceremony.

Highline College President John Mosby gives a diploma cover to a 2022 grad during the Cross the Stage event.

As is typical at other colleges and universities, students at Highline apply to graduate before all coursework has been completed. The college expects to award the following credentials for the 2021–22 academic year. Here are a few facts:

• 1,404: total number of credentials (degrees, certificates and diplomas); some students earned more than one credential
• 421: two-year degrees, including 198 associate of arts degrees, 67 associate of science, 147 associate of professional-technical and 13 associate of applied science degrees
• 57: applied bachelor’s degrees
• 87: certificates
• 26: high school diplomas
• 5: GEDs

The 2022 graduating class reflects the diversity of the college campus. Here are a few facts:

• 17: age of youngest graduate
• 71: age of oldest graduate
• 33: veterans who used VA education benefits while attending college
• 166: number of immigrants
• 19: number of refugees
• 60: number of international students, representing 16 countries
• 67%: students of color (of the 727 students reporting their race/ethnicity
• 66%: female graduates

One key component of Commencement each year is choosing a student speaker. While many apply, only one is selected. This year, Mirian Mencias earned the honor.
Mencias described the national landscape students have had to endure as they pursued their studies. From the death of George Floyd in 2020 to the war in Ukraine, all amidst a global pandemic, students of Highline College have had to learn to be successful while overcoming agony.

“We are more than just students when we show up,” she said. “We show up as our full selves and we’ve had to evolve. We’ve had to learn to surround ourselves with positive people who see the best in us even when we don’t see it ourselves. We’ve demonstrated that we can make it through all of these challenges, trials, errors, doubt and tough times. And through whatever life decides to throw at us. The class of 2022, we have conquered and we have done it with grace.”

Watch Mencias’ full speech.

This year, a number of students earned top honors and achievements.

All-Washington Academic Team

Sameer Koirala and Caitlyn (Cat) Jonson earned statewide recognition and scholarships for their accomplishments as Highline College students this year.

The Kent residents were honored as members of the 2022 All-Washington Academic Team as part of their academic achievements.

Each of the state’s 34 community and technical colleges can nominate up to four students for the award, however, only the top two are chosen.

To qualify, students must apply for recognition and be members of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Highest Scholastic Achievement Award

This year, 296 students graduated with honors with GPAs of 3.5 and above, and 30 of those had a perfect 4.0 GPA, qualifying them as Highest Scholastic Achievement scholars.

The Highest Scholastic Achievement Award is presented each year to the graduating student — or students — who has attained the highest GPA and has completed all degree requirements by the end of the spring quarter of the academic year of graduation. This year, those students are:

Student Legacy Awards

A number of students received recognition for high achievement (Legacy Scholar Awards) and contributions to campus programs, services and activities (Legacy Leader Awards). While some of these students are graduating this year, others will return.

2022 Legacy Leader Awards

2022 Legacy Scholar Awards