Faculty

Mary Weir

I have worked at Highline College since 2019. I enjoy teaching here because of the diversity of the students and the quality and kindness of other faculty and staff. I believe that education can lead to personal transformation, strong communities, and a more just and equitable Criminal Justice system.

At Highline, I am the coordinator of the Criminal Justice Department. In my role as coordinator, I manage the department, advise students, support faculty and teach.

Before I started working at Highline, I lived in Denmark for two years on a Fulbright scholarship to study Danish open prisons. While I was there I received a Master's in Education and conducted fieldwork in the women's unit of a mixed-gender open prison. Prior to that, I worked for a nonprofit that offers a college in prison program at the Washington Corrections Center for Women.

I enjoy cycling, hiking, and playing outside with my young son.

Ché Dawson

Ché Dawson began teaching in the Legal Studies Department at Highline College in the Fall of 2003. He has taught a variety of the required legal courses including Introduction to Law, Civil Procedures, Legal Research and Writing, and Ethics. Ché has also been the faculty member responsible for students performing their required internship credits.

Ché began teaching courses cross listed with the Diversity and Globalism Department in the Spring of 2005. The first course he developed was Immigration Law and The Rights of Non-citizens, a subject consistent with Ché's area of legal practice. Ché has also developed courses in Sports Law and Constitutional Law.

Ché also teaches Criminal Law and Procedure, Criminal Justice and Juvenile Justice.

Ché was awarded tenure in the spring of 2008.

Ché came to Highline after practicing law in a variety of areas of civil law and immigration with Karr Tuttle Campbell, a downtown Seattle Law firm. Ché maintains a Senior Attorney role with Ogden Murphy Wallace.

Ché also coaches the Highline College Men's Basketball team.

Phillip Clingan

My name is Dr. Phillip Clingan, and I have been teaching since 2014. I was in charge of the Military Science-Army Officers Program for Providence College, RI, for three years. I am a subject matter expert in quantitative methodologies for the Grand Canyon University dissertation committee. I have my Bachelor of Arts in Law & Justice from Saint Martin’s University, my Masters of Arts in Intelligence from American Military University, and my Doctor of Psychology, specializing in Criminology and Legal Studies from the University of Arizona.

I have been conducting psychological research in the field since 2013 and continue to specialize in profiling emotional behaviors through mico-facial expressions. I am a subject matter expert editor and Board Member in psychology in human behaviors for SPAST Express, a peer-reviewed open-access online-only journal, enabling affordable dissemination of research globally. Additionally, I spent 21 years serving in the United States Army and currently serve as a Contracted Criminologist criminal lawyer and local law enforcement agencies.

Bryan Howard

Bryan Howard retired after 31 years in law enforcement, serving in patrol, training, community policing, and as a detective. He held ranks from Officer to Division Chief during his tenure. He has a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the City University of Seattle and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington. Bryan has taught courses at the college level for 18 years.

Criminal Justice Department

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