Highline College

About Highline College

Since 1961, Highline College has been a cornerstone for educational needs in the community, evolving its offerings to include comprehensive community college programs and applied bachelor’s degrees. It is nationally and internationally recognized for its innovation, global curriculum, and community participation, standing as one of Washington state's 34 community and technical colleges. The college's mission, adopted in October 2022, is to partner with global students as they envision, plan, and achieve their educational and professional goals, striving for social justice as a South King County college. Highline College's vision is to create anti-racist, equitable pathways in higher education to close opportunity gaps, supporting employees in fostering equity and cultivating a collaborative learning community that centers the well-being of the whole person and provides a sense of belonging. They acknowledge that by working together, they are limitless. Values practiced daily include Accessibility, Accountability, Cultural Responsiveness and Agency, Environmental Sustainability, Equity-First Focus, Life-Long Learning, Partnership with local and global communities, Respect, Social Justice, Student-Centered Approaches, and Transparency. Staff benefits promote work-life balance and accommodate staff needs. Highline College, the first community college in King County, welcomes over 750 international students and nearly 15,000 students annually, making it one of the state’s largest and most diverse institutions, with approximately 70 percent students of color. The college actively promotes a learning and work environment ensuring social justice, mutual respect, understanding, civility, and non-violence, committed to eliminating discrimination based on various identities and statuses. The Center for Cultural & Inclusive Excellence provides transformative leadership in creating an equitable and inclusive learning environment, educating through a diversity and social justice lens, empowering students as social change agents, and dismantling institutional oppression.