Highline Community College has been recognized by The Chronicle of Higher Education, a top news source about colleges and universities, as one of the “Great Colleges to Work For” in their recent survey of colleges and universities nation-wide.

The survey was conducted at 277 colleges and universities and involved more than 42,000 employees. The survey results are based on a two-part assessment process: an institutional audit that captured demographics and workplace policies from each institution, and a survey administered to faculty, administrators and professional support staff.

Highline was recognized in five categories, including:

• Professional/Career-Development Programs
• Teaching Environment
• Job Satisfaction and Support
• Work/Life Balance
• Confidence in Senior Leadership

Highline is also one of the 39 institutions selected for The Chronicle’s Honor Roll, an honor that recognizes the top colleges and universities in their size categories – small, medium and large. Highline won in the medium-sized category.

The Hospitality Services and Women’s Programs at Highline Community College are sponsoring a “Clothing Closet” for graduating students. The event will be held in the student union on May 28th and will go all day or until the clothing is gone.

Project coordinator Donna Longwell says, “I saw a need for some of my students to acquire clothing for a job interview. Because I ran a clothing closet of such in Bremerton, it was easy to put on a one day event for our students. We have a huge need on this campus and all are very generous. We collect the clothing for a few weeks and then display them like a small store. Folks come in and shop and go out with one or two nice outfits, shoes, jewelry etc and feel better about themselves. This helps them have more confidence as they look for work.”

This is a great opportunity to do a little spring cleaning and free up room in your closet! The college is collecting clothing appropriate for professional wear for both men and women.

If you have clothing to donate or would like more information, please contact Donna Longwell at 206-870-3777 or dlongwell@highline.edu.

Highline Community College Business instructor Jeff Ward has earned a statewide honor for his leadership and achievements in “eLearning,” also known as electronic learning.

No, it’s not for teaching people about electronics, it’s for helping teach classes online.

Ward, of Lake Forest Park, provides one-on-one support to faculty and encourages them to explore and expand their use of technology in the classroom as Highline’s Faculty in Residence for Technology and Distance Learning.

“With online learning we have erased geographical boundaries. I can have students in class from all over the world, and their different experiences and backgrounds enrich discussions and give topics a more global perspective,” Ward said. “Alternative delivery of classes such as online and hybrid courses are better able to meet the diverse needs of our students – working parents, returning students, full-time workers, etc.”

The Leadership & Innovation in eLearning Award from the eLearning Council of Washington’s community and technical college system recognizes up to two individuals annually for achievements in electronic learning.   The honor comes with a $200 cash award and a grant for all-expenses paid trip to participate in the spring Pacific Northwest Higher Education Assessment, Teaching & Learning conference from April 28-30 in Vancouver, WA.

For more information on the Washington State eLearning Council, visit www.sbctc.edu/college/e_elearning.aspx.

Highline Community College was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County. With approximately 18,300 students and 350,000 alumni, it is one of the state’s largest institutions of higher education. The college offers a wide range of academic transfer and professional-technical education programs, with day, evening and weekend classes. Alumni include former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, entrepreneur Junki Yoshida, Washington state poet laureate Sam Green and Scott Schaefer, Publisher/Editor of this here blog and three-time National Emmy winning Writer for “Bill Nye the Science Guy.”

UPDATE Sat. 11/7/09: The Seattle Police Department released more information Saturday about Christopher J. Monfort, the suspect shot Friday in Tukwila after being approached about his car, a Datsun B-210 that matched a vehicle seen near the scene of Officer Timothy Brenton’s death on Halloween.

He was shot on the scene and is currently in serious condition, in custody at Harborview Medical Center.

According to the latest reports, Monfort’s apartment had a cache of weapons, including bomb-making materials. He is now believed to have “worked alone” in the fatal shooting of Officer Brenton, and is also a suspect in the Oct. 22 firebombing of seven Seattle police vehicles.

Monfort once attended Highline Community College in Des Moines.

Here’s the release:

On the afternoon of November 6^th , 2009, Seattle Police Homicide detectives received a tip about a Datsun 210 matching the description of a possible suspect vehicle used in the slaying of Officer Tim Brenton. Detectives responded to a parking lot in the 13700 block of 56^th Avenue South in Tukwila. While detectives were investigating the scene further an adult male suspect emerged and pointed a gun at them. Detectives fired on the suspect in self defense, striking him at least once. The suspect was taken into custody and transported to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. No detectives were injured.

The Tukwila Police Department is handling the crime scene investigation and the King County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit is conducting the officer-involved shooting investigation.

SPD detectives obtained search warrants to further examine the crime scene. Evidence located inside the suspect’s apartment included improvised explosive devices (IEDs), a rifle, and various other items of evidence. Detectives now believe that this individual is responsible for both the murder of Officer Brenton, the attempted murder of Officer Sweeney, and the arson attack on October 22^nd at the Charles Street facility. Detectives are asking the Prosecutor’s Office for formal charges. The Datsun that detectives were looking for is registered to the suspect. Our investigation into the murder of Officer Tim Brenton and attempted murder of Officer Britt Sweeney continues and we are still receiving and following up on tips. We have received numerous tips from the public and we encourage everyone to continue to call us with any information they may have regarding this investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call either 911 , or the tipline at (206) 233-5000. Those wishing to remain annonymous are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or send a text to CRIMES (274637). Your text message should include “TIP486″ to ensure proper routing. Calls are taken 24 hours a day.

PREVIOUSLY: Friday afternoon (Nov. 6th), shortly after Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton’s memorial concluded, a suspect named Christopher J. Monfort was shot outside his apartment building in Tukwila, prompting a massive outpouring of police to the area.

Police were apparently serving a search warrant on Monfort, 41, when he pulled out a weapon. He was shot on the scene and is currently under custody at Harborview Medical Center.

Monfort apparently attended Highline Community College in Des Moines, where he ran for student office in 2003.

According to HCC’s “Thunderword” student newspaper dated Nov. 20, 2003 (PDF link to issue), Monfort’s platform was:

“Christopher Monfort said he’s running to make the student body more aware of the civil liberties lost under the Patriot Act and the current political administration (Bush).

Monfort said students should vote for him because he actually cares about the world and wants to make a positive change.”

Monfort also studied law enforcement issues at the University of Washington.

Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton was shot and killed as he sat in his patrol car with an officer-trainee after a traffic stop on Capitol Hill on Oct. 31. Thousands of officers from around the country attended a memorial Friday afternoon for him at KeyArena in Seattle.

According to representatives from Highline Community College, scam artists are apparently posing around the area as Highline art students and soliciting donations.

The scam artists claim they are painting addresses on street curbs for donations that will benefit the college and HCC’s Art department.

Highline received information about the scam from residents in Seattle, Burien and Renton. None have been reported in Des Moines, but authorities think residents should be on the lookout.

“The college is unable to prevent people from misrepresenting themselves as college solicitors,” said Larry Yok, Vice President for Administration. “If people are suspicious, they should ask for the contact information of the person who sponsors the solicitation and obtain confirmation of the legitimacy of the request.”

He added, “If people want to donate to the college, they can safely do so through the HCC Foundation.”

Residents who want confirm the legitimacy of a fundraiser should call (206) 870-3705.

For more information about protection against scams, visit the Washington state Office of Attorney General’s Website at www.atg.wa.gov.

If you’d like to make a real donation through the HCC Foundation, call (206) 870-3774 or visit www.funds4highline.org.

Highline Community College’s Marine Science and Technology (MaST) Center is presenting a special seminar on “Jumbo” Squid  with David Eric Hamm, NOAA Fisheries Research Scientist/Contractor, this Saturday, Oct. 17th at their location near the Redondo Beach Pier.

Rumor has it that there may even be a dissection taking place.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Special seminar on “Jumbo” (aka Humboldt) Squid with David Eric Hamm, NOAA Fisheries Research Scientist/Contractor

WHEN: Saturday, October 17 12:00 – 12:45

WHERE: Highline Community College MaST Center, located near the Redondo Beach Park

INFO: From their website:

They’re Big, They’re Here and They’re Squid Jumbo Squid as Harbingers of Ecosystem Change! Dosidicus gigas, the Humboldt or Jumbo squid is a voracious predator with a unique ecology.

The ongoing range expansion of this creature, coincident with changes in the California Current suggest that something larger is afoot.

Are these changes indication of global change? What will the impact be to our fisheries and the ecosystem of the West Coast? Come to the MaST Center, and find out.

Please join us to hear David Eric Hamm, NOAA Fisheries Research Scientist/Contractor

More info here.

Highline Community College continues to do its part to assist area residents hit hard by the recession, and their next helpful handout will be a seminar about writing “Cover Letters and Resumes That Get Results” on March 17th and April 21st.

Here are the details:

WHAT: “Writing Covers Letters and Resumes That Get Results”

WHEN: Tuesday, March 17th from 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm -OR- Tuesday, April 21st from 9:00 am – 10:30 am

WHERE: Highline Community College, Building 99, Room 132; HCC is located at 2400 S 240th St., Des Moines.

Learn how to write a cover letter and resume that stand out to potential employers. Human Resources staff members will also offer one-on-one consultations to assist job seekers in creating and completing a cover letter and resume.

COST: Free and open to the public.

INFO: RSVP to (206) 878-3710 x3812

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Are you, or do you know of, an accomplished Highline Community College alum?

HCC is currently seeking nominations for its most prestigious award for alumni – the “Distinguished Alumnus Award,” which honors a former student who has made outstanding contributions through community service, noteworthy professional achievement and/or recognized leadership.

Nominations are due by April 17, 2009.

Former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, who attended Highline in 1968–69, was the first recipient of the award in 1990. Other past honorees include:

• Junki Yoshida, CEO of the Yoshida Group
• Ezra Teshome, agent with State Farm Insurance and TIME magazine global health hero
• Chris Carrel, executive director for Friends of the Hylebos, a nonprofit located in Federal Way

Last year’s recipient was Washington state’s first poet laureate Sam Green. He is the author of 10 poetry collections and serves as publisher of Brooding Heron Press.

Green came to Highline in the early 1970s after serving in the Vietnam War. He went on to complete a bachelor’s degree in English and philosophy and master’s degree in creative writing at Western Washington State College.

Alumni award nominees should be former Highline students who attended the college prior to the 2004-2005 academic year.

Nominees will be asked to submit a résumé and personal profile that will be reviewed by a campus selection committee.

The person selected will be invited to accept the award and participate in Highline’s commencement exercises on June 11, 2009.

Please send your nominations via e-mail to ayoung@highline.edu or hard copy to:

Alana Young, Resource Development Office
Highline Community College
PO Box 98000 MS 99-248
Des Moines, WA 98198-9800

For more information, call (206) 870-3774, e-mail rstephen@highline.edu or visit www.funds4highline.org.

Highline Community College was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County. With approximately 10,000 students and 350,000 alumni, it is one of the state’s largest institutions of higher education. The college offers a wide range of academic transfer and professional-technical education programs, with day, evening, online and weekend classes.

With the most diverse population of any college in Washington state, Highline takes a multicultural approach to education for the success of all its students and the prosperity of its surrounding communities.