Highline and several community partners have won a $1.6 million grant that aims to support young men of color toward academic and career success.
“It will provide us some funding and resources to continue to align our efforts so that student participants have a more effective transition from high school to college and for students re-engaging in their educational journey,” said Highline Vice President of Institutional Advancement Josh Gerstman.
The grant is funded over the next two years by the King County Department of Human and Community Services and Puget Sound College and Career Center. The King County Promise grant program partners with the county’s K-12 school districts, community based organizations, and community and technical colleges.
The program serves King County students of color, first-generation students, and students impacted by poverty up to age 26.
To specifically make an impact on young males of color, Highline has partnered with Highline Public Schools, the Northwest Education Access and Becoming A Man of Southwest Youth & Family Services to form the Highline Promise Partnership.
This is an opportunity to work closely with one of our partners. We all agreed that King County Promise is an opportunity for us [the partners] to dive deeper into work we have been working to address, primarily increasing the college going and completion rates of young men from black and brown communities,” said Gerstman.
The funding will help to improve college and career exploration, family engagement, college transfer support, and retention and completion help for males of color beginning in 10th grade through the completion of their degree or certificate.
“I am deeply grateful to our partners at Highline College, NWEA and BAM for joining us in delivering on our Highline Promise to know every student by name, strength and need,” said Highline Public School Superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield in a press release.
During the first year of the grant’s implementation, Highline High School will pilot the program with the intention of eventually adding more schools.
“This new Highline Promise Partnership will build upon the extraordinary work that our team in Highline has been doing to ensure that each and every one of our student graduates is prepared for the future they choose for themselves,” said Dr. Enfield.
Students in the program will have direct access to advisers, career services, and education advocates to guarantee a successful transition from high school to college.
“This work will include intensive advising, mentoring, and peer navigation. King County Promise is an addition to several programs such as TRiO, MESA and Learning Communities that are working to reduce and remove barriers, provide consistent information and help students navigate through their higher education journey,” said Josh Gerstman.
“It is important to note that our vision is for this to align and support existing work that Highline is committed to through our Title III Grant and Implementation of Guided Pathways,” said Gerstman.
“I am thrilled to partner with Highline Public Schools, NWEA and BAM to propel our young Black and brown men of color toward a path of educational success,” said Highline College President Dr. John Mosby in the press release.
The program also includes culturally-informed teaching methods, co-circulars and mentorship opportunities for students.
“The education system has historically disadvantaged young black and brown men and we know the pandemic has exacerbated that in some instances,” said Dr. Mosby. “The Highline Promise Partnership will help elevate those students by ensuring they graduate and persist through college so they may go on to hold successful careers.”