**Including an exclusive interview with Dr. Penn.**

Vice President of Student Services (VPSS) Dr. Jamilyn Penn returned to Acting President this week as President Dr. John Mosby goes on his third medical leave. Dr. Penn steps into the dual roles amid contentious issues with Financial Aid and faculty. She sat down with Managing Editor Mavrie Durham for a short interview about what she intends to focus on in her time as Acting President.

Dr. Penn is entering a position she has worked closely with and in before. This time, the top concerns focus on Financial Aid, the search for a permanent Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA), filling vacancies on the Board of Trustees, communication with the Executive Cabinet, and fulfilling the externally-facing responsibilities of the Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges (WACTC) Board of Presidents. 

The President-change was originally announced at the Wednesday, Nov. 12 Board of Trustees meeting, in which issues concerning Financial Aid were paramount during public comment. 

In an interview with the ThunderWord, Dr. Penn said she feels prepared to take on the dual roles and acknowledges “the support from the Board of Trustees, Executive Cabinet, faculty, and staff…There was some support with me being in the role the first round, but more important is the collaboration – the coming together of this community… 

“I am honored to step into this role…This time, I am holding both [Acting President] and [Vice President of Student Services]. I would not have said yes if I didn’t think I had the support to do so. I do believe the Executive Cabinet and the Board of Trustees and my direct report in Student Services will holistically be able to support me.” 

The Board of Trustees sent out their announcement on Nov. 13 stating, “On behalf of the Highline College Board of Trustees, I write to inform you that effective Thursday, November 13, 2025, the Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Jamilyn Penn as Acting President of Highline College. Dr. Penn will serve as Acting President for the foreseeable future as Dr. Mosby is on leave to focus on his health.

“We recognize that for many reasons this is a challenging time for our students, faculty and staff, and we want to express our deepest appreciation for the many ways that everyone continues to step up to support the needs of our students and our great institution.” 

The email stated that Dr. Penn and the Executive Cabinet have “full authority for decision making to ensure that forward movement of critical work happens during this time.”

This is not Dr. Penn’s first time in the role. Last year, during Dr. Mosby’s second medical leave, Dr. Penn was named acting co-president alongside Dr. Emily Lardner. At some point, Dr. Lardner stepped down from the role, leaving Dr. Penn as sole acting President. This leaves her uniquely prepared to step up during a volatile climate. 

Dr. Penn is entering an office amid chaos and confusion in the Financial Aid department as well as a sour relationship with faculty. 

“I understand that we’ll have to rebuild trust. That’s going to have to be day-by-day. I have confidence that we are putting some really supportive measures in place that are going to be about the Financial Aid office,” Dr. Penn said confidently, but cautioned, “It has to be a collaborative effort around the college community. It won’t happen overnight but it will be intentional.” 

Financial Aid is the top priority for the VPSS. Dr. Penn said, “There are a lot of things in the works within Support Services and other divisions – education for staff and faculty on how they can be supportive. Workshops for faculty to be hands-on when it comes to helping students with financial aid.” 

The Financial Aid office announced a series of ‘Lunch and Learn’ events with informational presentations and open Q&A sessions. A Financial Aid Advisory Council is expected to be launched by at least the end of the quarter. There is currently a search for students to participate on this council. 

Another pressing issue is the search for a permanent VPAA. Currently Dr. Rolita Ezeonu serves as the interim VPAA following the termination of Dr. Emily Lardner at the start of this year. The search was originally set to conclude Dec. 30, next month. Dr. Penn is working closely with Melanie Lawson, Vice President of Human Resources, on getting the position posted. Dr. Ezeonu will be continuing in her role as interim until the search is concluded.

About the situation, Dr. Penn said, “There is more work to be put into place…My goal is prior to the end of spring quarter.” 

One faculty member shared concern over protections for faculty, saying, “There has been a lot of upheaval in academia nationwide due to the new policies being implemented by this current administration’s Department of Education, including faculty being terminated for talking about controversial topics, and issues of safety and privacy with things like the ‘professor watch’ website.” 

They wanted to know if Dr. Penn and the Executive Cabinet will be providing safeguards for faculty and the content they cover, especially those who discuss issues of race, gender, diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Dr. Penn just started this role Tuesday, so she did not have an immediate response, but offered, “There are some conversations that we have had particularly with keeping a radar. We have the [Joint Information Center] taking a look at what’s happening at the national level, local level…at the forefront, we want to keep our students, staff, and faculty safe.” 

Dr. Penn said they will be “leaning into our Attorney General’s office, using them to identity the guidance that we need to do what is permissible…It is a concern for me and the rest of the Executive Cabinet.” 

Trust in the Executive Cabinet was sorely diminished over the summer during contentious contract negotiations with classified staff. When Dr. Mosby threatened to end the local bargaining power of union staff, many wonder if Dr. Penn would make the same choice. 

Dr. Penn addressed these worries, stating, “I’m aware of the concern…I’m not in a place right now to say ‘This is what we’re going to do.’” Classified staff contract negotiations do not begin until spring, at which time Highline College could have different leadership. 

Concerns with Financial Aid and repairing trust with the Executive Cabinet are paramount concerns with faculty and staff. One student’s last quarter was pushed due to the Financial Aid department. Many have had their emails and phone calls go unanswered. 

One anonymous staff member holds no confidence in Dr. Penn’s ability, citing, “Financial Aid has been under her umbrella this whole time, and it’s a mess. It doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in her ability to lead.” 

Time will only tell how these concerns will be addressed. The Board of Trustees offered to revisit the decision to appoint Dr. Penn early 2026. 

**Mavrie has been serving as editor for the ThunderWord since 2024. She is also the founding president of Highline’s Non-fiction Writers Circle.**