KRISTA ECKLAND 

Leaving a Legacy of Kindness

Krista Eckland wants to generate as much kindness and community-building as she can before she graduates from Highline this spring. 

The 38-year-old is the founder and president of the Kindness Initiative club at Highline, where members take part in events and projects, “that make things a little bit better for people on campus,” Eckland said.

One of the projects involved making uplifting mirror signs, which are now hanging around campus. Other upcoming ideas include fidget keychains for the Counseling Center, bird feeders and friendship bracelets.

“I decided to create the Kindness Initiative after praying to find out what I can do to make things better, and that idea popped in my head. I've been running with it since then,” she said. 

The West Seattle resident grew up in Kent and had planned to go to college after high school, but instead took time to look after her family. She said her father didn’t get to see her graduate high school and that having him attend Commencement in June is important to her.

Eckland, who’s pursuing her associate of applied science in early childhood education, has had a number of challenges to overcome including being late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD, along with multiple mental health disabilities and physical challenges. 

What has helped has been having a passion for art. As vice president of the Arts and Design club at Highline, art is something Eckland enjoys on a daily basis. 

“It's therapeutic, it's gotten me through many tough times, and the times I've been in a psychiatric hospital, art therapy made it possible to get through that situation,” Eckland said. 

Advocating for others is another of Eckland’s interests. She was part of Highline’s Legislative Advocacy Day in January of this year, and shared a testimony she had written with everyone she met. 

“Right now with everything going on, and all of the uncertainty, the main thing we're told to do is contact our representatives. I very highly encourage you to do exactly that. Make that good noise about things that matter,” she said. 

Reflecting on her time at Highline, Excland noted how welcoming it is and how much the community plays a vital role. She recommends that her fellow students use the accommodations offered, because they’re there to help them succeed.

“I had initially felt it would be a little weird to be almost 40 studying with people fresh out of high school, but I have found them to be wonderful, accommodating, and inclusive,” Eckland said. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT HIGHLINE'S KINDNESS INITIATIVE LEARN MORE about highline's early childhood education programs