Highline Community College

infobox University

name= Highline Community College
established= 1961
city= Des Moines
country= USA
state= Washington
type= 2-year
president= Dr. Jack Bermingham
students= 2005-2006 Credit and Non-Credit: 15,049; Credit: 9,081 [cite web | title = HCC Facts | publisher = Highline Community College | url = http://www.highline.edu/ia/cam/F/Index.htm | accessdate = 2007-05-13 .]
campus= Urban
calendar= Quarter
Address= 2400 S 240th St, Des Moines, WA 98198
Telephone= [phone]
mascot= Thunderbirds
website= http://www.highline.edu
publictransit=Metro Transit, Sound Transit, Pierce Transit

Highline Community College is a junior college located in Des Moines, Washington, south of Seattle, Washington. Highline was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County. The main campus is located on 80 acres of hilltop land that overlook Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains to the west.Cite web|url=http://www.funds4highline.org/about.htm|title=Foundation- About Us -Highline Community College|accessdate=2006-12-23|year=2006] Currently there are approximately 10,000 students and 350,000 alumni of the college. [cite web | title = About HCC | publisher = Highline Community College | url = http://www.highline.edu/home/catalog/appendices/about.html | accessdate = 2006-11-26 .]

History

Highline was founded in 1961 and the first junior college in King County. The current campus in Des Moines was built in 1964. Eventually, a Federal Way, Washington campus was built, as well as the Marine Science and Technology Center.

President

After being named interim president on November 16, 2006 following the termination of former President Dr. Priscilla Bell's contract by the college board of trustees, Dr. Jack Bermingham was named permanent president of the college by the board in May 2008. [cite web | last = Nichols | first = Ralph | authorlink = Ralph Nichols | title = President removed at Highline College | publisher = Highline Times | url = http://www.highlinetimes.com/articles/2006/11/21/news/local_news/news02.txt | accessdate = 2006-11-26 ] Cite web|url=http://www.highline.edu/home/messages/interim.htm|title=Interim President Appointed|accessdate=2006-11-29|year=2006] Cite web|url=http://www.highline.edu/pres/president/index.htm|title=President's Office Home Page Highline Community College|accessdate=2006-12-24|year=2006-12-1]

Demographics

The demographics of Highline are diverse due to both the local population and the acceptance of international students. As of 2007, 52% of all students are categorized as White, 18% are Asian/Pacific Islander, 16% African American, 13% Hispanic/Latino, and 1% Native American. The total number credit and non-credit students is 15,049, while 60% of those are credit students. The student body is 62% female and 38% male.Cite web|url=http://www.highline.edu/ia/cam/F/Index.htm#Fact_Sheet:__Student_Profile|title=HCC Facts|accessdate=2007-11-12|year=2007]

Accreditation

Highline has several nationally accredited programs of study. The college itself is accredited by the Commission on Colleges and Universities of the Northwest Association of Schools and of Colleges and Universities. The Nursing program is accredited by National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission. The Respiratory Care program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. The Medical Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment. The Paralegal program is also approved by the American Bar Association. [cite web | title = Accredited | publisher = Highline Community College | url = http://www.highline.edu/home/catalog/appendices/about.html#accred | accessdate = 2006-11-26 ]

Foundation

The Highline Community College Foundation was established in 1972 as a non-profit organization to help raise funds to improve the quality of education at HCC.Cite web|url=http://www.funds4highline.org/index.htm|title=Foundation Highline Community College|accessdate=2006-12-23|year=2006] Cite web|url=http://www.funds4highline.org/about.htm|title=Foundation- About Us -Highline Community College|accessdate=2006-12-23|year=2006] The Foundation often holds events and allows donations to be made in an effort to raise funds. With a donation of $500 the Foundation allows individuals or groups to create their own fund that others may donate to. Both students and faculty members can take advantage of the Foundation, through scholarships and grants respectively.

MaST

The Marine Science and Technology Center (MaST) is located approximately five minutes from HCC at Redondo Beach Park. " The goal of the MaST is to promote understanding, appreciation, and preservation of the marine environment through hands-on research, education, and community activities that highlights the beauty, complexity, and importance of the South Puget Sound ecosystem."Cite web|url=http://mast.highline.edu/AboutTheCenter.htm|title=About the MaST Center - Highline Community College|accessdate=2008-06-09|year=2007-11-21] The MaST is a relatively unique research facility in the region and has the potential to help both the community and students through a unique learning process. About 400 students per-year participate in monitoring the water quality of the Puget Sound. There is also a station available to track weather data in real-time.

The MaST Center, which closed down in Fall 2006 for reconstruction, is slated to reopen Summer quarter 2008. The Grand Opening celebration is scheduled for Monday, June 16, 2008. The new facility is 2,500 square-feet and situated on a 260-foot pier.Cite web|url=http://flightline.highline.edu/mast/index.htm|title=Highline Community College's Marine Science and Technology Center|accessdate=2007-11-12|year=2007]

CWU-Des Moines

Central Washington University has a campus facility located on Highline Community College's campus. There is a partnership between the schools that allows students to take classes from both HCC and CWU concurrently. Both Bachelor's and Master's degrees programs are available along with certification programs.

Kaplan Aspect English Programs

Since 1997, Kaplan, Inc. has partnered with Highline Community College for Intensive English for International Students. Students interested in transferring to the college once reaching adequate English proficiency are admitted with favorable terms, including waiver of the TOEFL requirement. The international reputation of Kaplan Aspect and network of 24 North American centers provides a premium offering in a competitive marketplace.

External links

* [http://www.highline.edu Highline Community College]
* [http://www.cwu.edu/desmoines/index.html CWU-Des Moines]
* [http://www.kaplanaspect.com/schools/USA/Highline_Community_College.aspx Kaplan Aspect Highline]

References