students
Highline STEM students who want to learn more about physics are invited to get PHATT.
PHATT is an acronym for Physicists of Highline – Association of Thinkers & Tinkerers. Advised by Dr. Aleya Dhanji, the club aims to help students actively engage in the study of science in general and physics in particular.
Dr. Dhanji is a physics professor at Highline and teaches a variety of courses from conceptual physics for non-STEM majors to calculus-based engineering physics.
Highline’s new budget director said its budget can help unite the college.
“My goal is to work with all the different departments and create a process that is consistent and works for every department,” said Marco Lopez-Torres, who was named the new budget director earlier this fall. He added that the budget should “Create a culture of fiscal responsibility and bring all divisions together to achieve Highline’s goals.
Highline is meeting or exceeding COVID safety precautions prescribed by the state, college officials say.
“As a college we are committed to providing a high-quality educational experience for students, which includes providing the option for on-campus resources and learning opportunities when possible,” said Nicki Bly, Highline public health director.
Samantha Sebring has worn more hats than most in her time as a student at Highline.
She has been the community budget coordinator for the Center for Leadership and Service; chair of the Services and Activities Budget Committee; student representative to Highline’s Budget Advisory Council.
She has served as a member of the CORE Leadership Team; received a Student Legacy Award; stayed a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society; and maintained her honor roll-qualifying GPA.
Though it wasn’t always easy, Ramla Geilani is proud to say she’s graduating this year.
The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped her college experience and made things harder, she said.
“The hardest thing about graduating college during a pandemic was starting to lose motivation,” Geilani said. “Us college students didn’t really get to experience the regular college experience this past year and a half due to the pandemic.”
And even before classes went remote, it took some time for her to adjust to Highline.
Highline helped Tyler Ing-Pich find his voice.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic forcing people apart, he said he’s managed to grow close to those around him, all while learning more about himself and the person who he wants to be.
“Throughout my two years as a Highline student, I have been able to meet and connect with peers, professors, and counselors who have undoubtedly helped me grow significantly as an individual,” said Ing-Pich.
Returning to school gave Cathleen Turner the career path she wanted, alongside a better future for both her, and her daughter.
That’s not to say that it’s been an easy journey.
“It was a new beginning for me, I was really burned out with all the jobs I was doing. I wanted to go back to school to solidify a new opportunity,” Turner said.
Before becoming a mom, Turner was prepared to go to law school. So when her daughter came, plans had to shift.
Poetry helped Emily Hamilton reclaim rhyme and reason in her life.
Hamilton is a returning college student finishing her AA degree with honors and is an editor for Arcturus, the college literary magazine.
She will be working on her bachelor of applied science in Global Trade and Logistics at Highline in the fall.
Mary Belay is ready to shut her laptop and get back into the classroom.
When she first made the decision to attend Highline two years ago, she didn’t expect to be spending more hours on Zoom than on campus. And adjusting to the new learning environment proved to be a challenge.
For those interested in getting involved in Student Government and leadership at Highline, many positions are open and hiring.
“We are hiring up to 30 student employees to fill a variety of positions, from program planning to front desk and budget administration,” said Thomas Bui, director of the Center for Leadership and Service (CLS).
Students say the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is making college more of a challenge than usual. But they are pushing ahead anyway.
Highline student Emma McLaughlin said it is harder “staying motivated and wanting to do the work since summer is right around the corner.”
As the country rapidly approaches one year of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, students are questioning if they wish to continue remote learning. For those who continue with school, the experience is taking a toll on their mental health.
Highline’s campus has been closed to most students since last March when shutdowns began, with classes moving online.Remote learning will continue at least through June; the learning format for Summer and Fall Quarters has not yet been decided for certain.
Students are expected to use ctcLink, Highline’s new admininstrative computer system, by the middle of February. But the training for the new program, which will cover everything from financial aid to registration, is currently unavailable to students.
Many Highline students and other local residents say President Donald Trump should be impeached, even though he’s leaving office.
COVID-19 has made helping black and brown students at Highline more challenging.
Umoja is one of several Highline programs aimed at helping diverse groups of students. Whether it be financial support, access to Wi-Fi, or even tutoring, Umoja offers all this and more to better serve black and brown students.
The Associated Students of Highline College (or ASHC for short) have been informing students of the changes and events made during the pandemic.
The ASHC is the Student Government for Highline, representing students’ interests and concerns regarding the college’s community and administration.
Students have mixed feelings about the reinforced restrictions that Washington Gov. Jay Inslee made in response to rising COVID-19 cases.
Indoor social gatherings have been greatly affected, with some activities reducing gathering sizes to 25 percent of its indoor occupancy limits, with some activities barred altogether.
The bookstore has had to make some changes to its procedures to continue to help and provide for students during Fall Quarter.
The Highline bookstore provides students with their textbooks (new, used, or rentals) and other supplies including clothing, course supplies, electronic device rentals, gifts, and among other things.
Jovan Cisse and his brother were walking home from school in Federal Way when their life was almost turned upside down.
Cisse and his brother were on their way home when a Federal Way police officer pulled over and prepared to cuff and arrest them.
Highline students and others around the community had mixed reactions to Tuesday’s election results.
Some said they hoped former Vice President Joe Biden would pull out a win, while others didn’t think who wins the presidency would make much difference in their lives.
Highline students say they aren’t thrilled with the choices in this year’s election.
With ballots mailed to registered voters in Washington state, voting has already begun. Results won’t be released until the night of Nov. 3.
Maxwell Williams said he misses a number of things about a live college experience.
“I miss getting to pick my professors’ brains in discussions,” he said. “I miss walking around campus and grabbing a bite to eat in the Student Union.
While some students may have trouble managing school and work at the same time, Running Start student Grayce Ross has managed to find balance in both work and academics.
Ross, community budget coordinator and the Service & Activities budget chair for the Center for Leadership & Service (CLS) and Center for Cultural & Inclusive Excellence (CCIE), is the recipient of the Student Employee of the Year award.
Highline students said having Spring Quarter online was stressful at first but got better.
Highline’s Spring Quarter was moved online due to the coronavirus outbreak. The outbreak led Washington Gov. Jay Inslee to issue a stay-at-home order in mid-March.
Hector Pina has been elected vice president of the Associated Students of Highline College for 2020-21.
Pina was the only candidate, but was confirmed in an online vote earlier this month.