Highline College’s Board of Trustees has filled their fifth and final seat, highlighting a renewed effort by our leaders to strengthen the college’s economic standing and restore faith in the governance of our school.
Lorraine Chachere is the Economic Development Specialist for the city of Burien, with a specialization in business attraction, retention, and expansion. Her previous work with Highline staff, notably Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Josh Gertsam, shows a commitment to community development and student success.
Chachere’s appointment as a trustee of Highline, her role as an economic specialist, expertise in business development, and city connections means the potential for a strengthened community around our school that attracts students and increases opportunities in our area.
As part of the economic development team in Burien, Chachere interacted with Highline staff through a variety of projects, including childcare and workforce development and long-term strategic action plans.
“My area is also business attraction, retention, and expansion; keeping the businesses there, helping them grow, hopefully keeping them there,” said Chachere. Chachere has worked with Gertsam in the past, and the hope is that the development of public transportation will attract students who didn’t have Highline as an option before.
It was this previous experience that led Chachere to volunteer for the trustee position at Highline, though her background in education mainly lies as being a student and community member.
As a parent and first generation student, Chachere understands what it takes to support students, and how best to do so.
“The primary focus is student achievement, and part of that is understanding, addressing, or removing barriers or challenges. [Which includes] being in tune with some of the external challenges that higher education faces,” Chachere said.
Hailing from San Diego, Chachere moved across the country as a first generation college student to Massachusetts, where she earned her bachelor’s before resettling in Chicago for several years. Gaining experience in hospitality and tourism in Las Vegas, Chechere moved to Washington for the environment. After 16 years in King County and two children in the Highline Schools system, this community has become her family’s home.
In working with the Highline Schools Foundation, Chachere assisted in coat drives, personal prom shopping for the Promise program, assisting students in the smallest parts of their journey to the memories that stick with us, whether good or bad.
She says it’s about what we can do to make sure there’s still a solid foundation for students to find their educational pathways, “because eventually it’s going to be their career pathway.”
Chachere is a fresh face on the Board of Trustees as they navigate strengthening leadership during this tumultuous time.
**Mavrie has been serving as editor for the ThunderWord since 2024. She is also the founding president of Highline’s Non-fiction Writers Circle.**