Lisa Bernhagen and Natasha Burrowes have joined the ranks of honored Highline College employees, named as winners of the college’s two premier employee awards for the 2014–2015 academic year. The awards recognize professional excellence by full-time staff and tenured faculty members as nominated by their peers.
Bernhagen, who teaches English, received the Outstanding Faculty award for her untiring contributions to students, innovation, fellow faculty and the college’s accreditation efforts. A $1,500 cash award provided by the Highline College Foundation accompanies the honor.
A resident of Seattle, Bernhagen has taught at Highline since 2000. Colleagues consistently describe her as talented, dedicated, energetic, positive and knowledgeable.
As a teacher, she is well-versed in her subject matter and how to effectively teach it so students can learn. Her care for students extends beyond their academic success. She is keenly aware of the personal challenges that many Highline students face. With 70 percent students of color, Highline ranks as the most diverse higher education institution in Washington. People representing more than 120 cultures attend classes at the college. And the college serves an area that is home to many low income families.
Lisa Bernhagen
On Highline’s campus, advancing social justice and opportunity for all in the community are guiding principles, and no one takes that to heart more than Bernhagen does. As one peer wrote, “She worries about . . . what is going on in their lives outside of the classroom, and is well aware of the challenges our students face as we try to help them achieve their educational goals.”
To meet the needs of the college’s diverse community, she uses teaching strategies that engage students in active learning that affirms each student’s voice. Colleagues note that she devotes a significant amount of time and energy to her students and their progress, holding extra conferences and meetings with students to make sure they thrive.
Her work on behalf of the success of all students is readily apparent. Said one peer, “She was instrumental in bringing the
She also contributes greatly to the college as a whole, joining with others to “get things done,” said a colleague, who continued, “Lisa isn’t a one-person show; she is a leader; she’s also an organizer who helps people contribute their best for the project at hand.”
Having Bernhagen as chair of the Accreditation Steering Committee meant that everyone had a voice, said one peer. “She makes an effort to solicit opinions and feedback from each member of the committee so that everyone feels heard and feels like a vital contributor to the process.”
Another colleague said, “This role in not for the faint of heart. She is organized, visionary, and gently pushes the committee along to greatness. She is always thinking about how this will impact our students.”
In multiple ways—through engaging students, working on committees, advising new instructors, and providing resources and advice—Bernhagen advances education and is at the forefront of innovation in teaching and student achievement and retention on Highline’s campus.
One peer noted, “The words ‘all in’ come to mind to describe her work at Highline. She gives 100 percent to her students and the college.”
The Outstanding Faculty award has been given annually to a full-time tenured faculty member since the 1987–88 academic year.
Burrowes received the college’s Employee of the Year award and a $1,500 cash gift, also funded by the Highline College Foundation. The award recognizes her outstanding performance and substantial impact at the college.
A resident of Seattle, Burrowes has worked at Highline since 2003 and serves as Director of Multicultural Affairs & Leadership.
One colleague described her as an “institution” at our institution and said she “has been a champion for students in her 12 years at Highline College. She is broadly known for her wise and strategic approach to serving our diverse student population, her activist mind-set, her values of social justice and equity, and some of the best educational programs offered in the recent history of Highline.”
Natasha Burrowes (Photo Credit: D. Walker)
Her contributions, achievements and impact on campus are many, including coordinating and serving as chair of several annual events that celebrate and explore social justice and diversity issues; providing instrumental leadership, vision and support for affinity groups on campus such as the Faculty and Staff of Color group, LGBTQIA task force, and the Culturally Responsive Educators group; and collaborating at the ground level on initiatives to support student of color recruitment and outreach efforts through summits and conferences that are now firmly established at Highline.
One colleague, who worked with Burrowes on diversity and equity initiatives, stated, “I can say, unequivocally, that she has been one of the most important voices for these issues at Highline.” She added that Burrowes “is always thinking broadly and creatively about cultural responsiveness.”
Another peer said that she “is a deeply passionate educator, invested with both intent and deed, in realizing the maximum potential for both her and the students we serve. She is a skilled facilitator of group processes and learning. She is unusually gifted in the ability to listen, acknowledge and affirm individual contributions in teamwork and group sessions.”
Those that have worked with Burrowes marvel at her leadership abilities and how enjoyable it is to work with her. “When I think of leadership and services,” said a colleague, “I think of Natasha.”
Countless peers have a deep respect for her professionally and personally and describe her in glowing terms, using words such as empathetic, supportive, inspirational, visionary, passionate, reliable and talented. Said one, “She is sought out by professional staff, faculty, alumni and students for guidance and mentorship on a daily basis.”
“Under her leadership, Multicultural Affairs has tripled the amount of programs offered to students, staff and faculty at Highline. These programs are intentional and mindful of the diverse community that is represented here at Highline,” noted a colleague. She “has been a living example of Highline’s mission and diversity policy.”
All permanent classified staff, professional staff and administrative employees are eligible for the award, which has been given each year since the 1990–91 academic year.
| Academic Year | Award Recipient | Recipient’s Department |
|---|---|---|
| 1987–88 | Edith Bailey | Developmental Studies |
| 1988–89 | Bob Maplestone | Engineering |
| 1989–90 | Bill Hofmann | Writing |
| 1990–91 | Carol Satterberg | Nursing |
| 1991–92 | Joan Fedor | Writing, Literature |
| 1992–93 | Ellen Hofmann | Art History, French, Humanities, Writing |
| 1993–94 | Mary Lou Holland | Health Services |
| 1994–95 | Lonny Kaneko | English |
| 1995–96 | Maggie Brown | Psychology |
| 1995–96 | Hellyn Pawula | Art |
| 1996–97 | Ed Morris | Mathematics |
| 1997–98 | Doug Whipple | Offset Printing |
| 1998–99 | Kathy Dunn | Transportation |
| 1998–99 | Phil Sell | Engineering |
| 1999–00 | Billie Lindh | Medical Assistant |
| 2000–01 | Barbara Clinton | Speech Communication |
| 2001–02 | Wendy Swyt | English |
| 2002–03 | Vickie Ropp | Speech |
| 2003–04 | Susan Landgraf | Humanities, Journalism, English |
| 2004–05 | Joan Graham | Education |
| 2005–06 | Phil Droke | Economics |
| 2006–07 | Bruce Roberts | Economics |
| 2007–08 | Darryl Brice | Sociology |
| 2008–09 | Erik Scott | Mathematics |
| 2009–10 | Rich Bankhead | Engineering |
| 2010–11 | Michael Girvin | Accounting |
| 2011–12 | Jodi White | Education |
| 2012–13 | Laura Manning | Communication Studies |
| 2013–14 | Bevin Taylor | ESL |
| 2014–15 | Lisa Bernhagen | English |
| 2015–16 | Arline Garcia | World Languages |
| 2016–17 | ||
| Adjunct Faculty | Judy Mannard | Engineering |
| Tenured Faculty | Patricia McDonald | Education |
| 2017–18 | ||
| Adjunct Faculty | Karin Hirschfeld | ABE/ESL |
| Tenured Faculty | Christie Knighton | ABE/ESL |
| 2018–19 | ||
| Adjunct Faculty | Ron Godfrey | CIS/CS |
| Tenured Faculty | Allison Green | English, Humanities, and Diversity and Global Studies |
| 2019-2020 | ||
| Adjunct Faculty | Lucas Wildner | English |
| Tenured Faculty | Maurea Brown | ABE/ESL |
| Academic Year | Award Recipient | |
|---|---|---|
| 1990–91 | Patty von Behren | Faculty Secretary, Business Division |
| 1991–92 | Arlynn Knutson | Administrative Assistant to Dean of Instruction |
| 1992–93 | Gus Nyquist | Maintenance Mechanic |
| 1993–94 | Pat Richard | Program Assistant, Financial Aid Office |
| 1994–95 | Wilma Barton | Fiscal Technician Lead in Accounts Payable |
| 1995–96 | Sandy Moser | Secretary to the Dean of Instruction, Occupational Programs |
| 1996–97 | Chris Brixey | Facilities Supervisor |
| 1997–98 | Karen Steinbach | Program Coordinator, Running Start |
| 1998–99 | Jeff Synder | Advising Manager, Worker Retraining |
| 1999–00 | Siew Lai Lilley | Director for Transfer Center Education Planning |
| 2000–01 | Frank Cunningham | Interim Director for Administrative Technology |
| 2001–02 | Joyce Riley | Director of Childcare Services |
| 2002–03 | Tam Duong | Custodian |
| 2003–04 | Denise Kledzik | Human Resources Representative |
| 2004–05 | Linda Quick | Faculty Secretary, Pure and Applied Science Division |
| 2005–06 | Ronda O’Brien | Office Assistant, Program Coordinator |
| 2006–07 | Patricia Daniels | Customer Services Manager, Administrative Technology |
| 2007–08 | Patricia Overman | Instructional Resources |
| 2008–09 | Linda Faaren | ESL |
| 2009–10 | Lauri Spivey | Faculty Secretary, Arts and Humanities Division |
| 2010–11 | Judy Perry | Executive Director, Community Services and Supported Employment |
| 2011–12 | Rus Higley | MaST Center |
| 2012–13 | Donn Walter | Biology Lab |
| 2012–13 | Sabine Walter | Instruction |
| 2013–14 | Suzy Holmes | Facilities |
| 2014–15 | Natasha Burrowes | Multicultural Affairs |
| 2015–16 | Jean Munro | Women’s Programs and WorkFirst Services |
| 2016–17 | Dr. Jonathan Brown | Center for Leadership and Service |
| 2017–18 | Rickitia Reid | Profession-Technical Education |
| 2018–19 | ||
| Classified Staff | Indira Hazbic | Adult Basic Education |
| Exempt Staff | Doris Martinez | Multicultural Affairs |
| 2019-2020 | ||
| Classified Staff | Vicky Montgomery | Continuing Education |
| Exempt Staff | Michelle McClendon | Workforce Education Services |