22
Student Median Age
Presidential Search
The College's Next President
The search is underway to find the 8th president of Highline College.
We invite an inspiring leader to build upon this foundation of equity, community, and academic excellence, and guide Highline College into its next great chapter. We are looking for a leader who will champion this culture of belonging—someone who will cultivate environments, programs, and spaces that promote deep understanding, celebrate diversity, and honor individual points of view.
Presidential Profile
The Board of Trustees invites nominations and applications for the College’s next president. Guided by input from faculty, staff, students, trustees, alumni, and friends of the College, the presidential prospectus outlines the qualifications and attributes we seek in our next leader. If you know someone who would be a great fit — or if you’re interested yourself — we encourage you to reach out or submit a nomination. Inquiries and nominations can be sent to highlinecollegepresident@dsgco.com.
About Highline
Since 1961, Highline College has been deeply committed to serving our community by offering more than 100 dynamic program options tailored to high-demand careers. As our region has evolved, so have we—consistently adapting our curriculum and programs to meet the changing needs of a modern workforce.
Our next president will step onto a campus defined by a vibrant, deeply diverse community.
We proudly welcome students, faculty, and staff of all
ages, backgrounds, and cultures who have taken unique paths to get here. To support
their success, Highline offers an extensive ecosystem of services, including educational
planning, financial aid, personal counseling, career assistance, and comprehensive
tutoring.
This is an institution of proven excellence. In 2025, the Aspen Institute named Highline
College one of the top 200 institutions eligible to compete for the prestigious $1
million 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence—the nation’s premier recognition of high achievement among two-year colleges. This
builds on our proud legacy as one of the nation's top 150 community colleges in both
2023 and 2017.
449
International Students
1,698
Running Start Students
54%
First Generation
Search Firm and Committee
The national search effort will be led by Board of Trustees Chair Sharmila Swenson with the support of a search advisory committee comprised of trustees, faculty, staff, alumni and student representatives. HIghline College in partnership with DSG Storbeck, a leading academic executive search firm, to assist the search committee in its important work. The search will be led by Christopher D. Lee, Ph.D., SPHR, Managing Director and Beth McCarthy, Managing Associate and Manager, Search Operations, Education.
The Presidential Search Committee is charged with leading a transparent, inclusive, and successful search to identify the best candidate to serve as Highline College's next president in the Winter of 2027.
Search Committee
- Sharmila Swenson (Search Chair) | Chair, Board of Trustees
- Joseph Bowman (Search Vice Chair) | Board of Trustees
- Htet Nandar | Student - Incoming President Associated Students of Highline College
- Donna Enguerra-Simpson | Exempt Staff
- Leslea Berg | WPEA/Classified Staff
- Dr. Diego Luna | HCEA/Faculty (Transfer)
- Luckisha Phillips | HCEA/Faculty (Workforce)
- Dr. Maribel Jiménez | Executive Cabinet
- Dr. Elizabeth Cook | Community Member/Highline College Partnership
- Arnessa Belin | Highline College Foundation
- Mahamed Jama | Highline College Alumni
- Melanie Lawson | Executive Cabinet/Non-Voting Member*
Presidential Process and Timeline
- Announcement of presidential search and meetings about the search process.
- Search committee nominations received.
- Search chair announces search committee selection.
- Consultants visit campus to meet with faculty, students, staff, administrators and trustees to learn about Highline and conduct listening sessions to inform presidential profile. An online survey will be sent to constituents to solicit broader feedback.
- First committee meeting.
- Committee finalizes presidential profile..
- DSG Storbeck builds the candidate pool.
- Interview selection
- Interviews conducted.
- Finalist Selection.
- Finalists visit and the committee makes a recommendation.
- The Board of Trustees select the new president of Highline College.
- Announcement of new president.
- New president takes office in Winter 2027.
Search News and Updates
The Presidential Search Committee will provide periodic updates throughout the search process for Highline's 8th president. News stories and email updates will be available here.
Presidential Search Update: Monday, July 6, 2026
Dear Highline College Community,
Thank you for your continued engagement in the presidential search process. Your participation
thus far has been extraordinary and reflects the deep commitment our community holds
for Highline’s future. We are grateful for the time, honesty, and care you have brought
to this work. Community Engagement and Job Profile Completion: Since February 2026, the Board has been working diligently to plan the search and
onboard DSG Storbeck Global, the executive search firm selected to guide this national
search.
Presidential Search Update: Thursday, June 18, 2026
Dear Highline College Community,
The Board of Trustees extends our heartfelt appreciation to every member of the Highline community who has taken time to participate in the presidential search process. Over the past weeks, we have heard from students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners and your engagement has been extraordinary. Our consultants shared that Highline approaches the 75th percentile nationally for participation in presidential search survey responses and virtual and in-person listening sessions.
Presidential Search Update: June 5, 2026
Dear Highline Community,
We invite you to participate in an upcoming listening session to help inform the recruitment of the next President of Highline College. Your voice is essential in shaping the future of our institution. These sessions will be facilitated by Christopher D. Lee, Ph.D., SPHR, of the third-party consulting firm DSG Global, who will guide the conversation and ensure a thoughtful and inclusive process. Multiple sessions are being offered between now and the end of Spring Quarter. We encourage you to participate in a session that works with your availability.