Summer quarter has reached its end and Highline faculty and students take a five week break before classes resume on Sept. 22 for fall quarter. Registration remains open, as does the Advising Center in Building 6. As finals conclude, grades should be available by Aug. 20. 

Running Start advising has moved downstairs, switching offices with TRIO, who is now located on the second floor, next to counseling services. Drop-in advising hours for Zoom and in-person will be announced closer to the start of the quarter. 

Fall quarter promises to be the quarter of highest enrollment, which is why it always attracts socials and resource fairs for new students. ThunderWeek events will be announced as the quarter approaches. 

Temperatures outside tend to drop as autumn approaches, so it’s suggested to soak up as much sun and fun as possible in the weeks ahead. Maybe attend one of the many street fairs or festivals on the calendar for Seattle and King County. 

The ThunderWord had an excellent summer run, the first summer in recent history–covering campus and community, and opening the platform to faculty and staff across campus to share their opinions. Strengthening our community, Staff Reporter Evelyn Rissell covered Des Moines’ first annual ‘Shark in the Park,’ sitting down with Mayor Traci Buxton to discuss education in our area. 

Over the remainder of the summer, the ThunderWord will not be operating – ongoing stories covering the WPEA contract negotiations and federal funding for TRiO will receive an update once we recommence in September. 

With a reduced budget, we hope to sustain our new growth and attract students, staff and faculty across campus to participate in the collective effort of public media. As our new editorial team takes to their desks, our mission is sustainable growth and more comprehensive coverage of Highline College. 

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