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Highline Community College
Established	1961
Type	2-year
President	Dr. Jack Bermingham
Students	2005-2006 Credit and Non-Credit: 15,049; Credit: 9,081[1]
Location	Des Moines, Washington, USA
Campus	80 acres
Mascot	Thunderbirds
Website	http://www.highline.edu

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 (320,000 m²) of hilltop land that overlook Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains to the west.^{[2 ]} Currently there are approximately 10,000 students and 350,000 alumni of the college.^[3]

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 Space 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.^{[4][5 ][6]}

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.^[7]

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.^[8]

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.^{[2 ][9]} 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."^[10] 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 (230 m²) and situated on a 260-foot (79 m) pier.^[11]

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 International 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 International Colleges and network of 24 North American centers provides a premium offering in a competitive marketplace.

External links

• Highline Community College
• CWU-Des Moines
• Kaplan International Highline College

References

1. ^ "HCC Facts". Highline Community College. http://www.highline.edu/ia/cam/F/. Retrieved 2007-05-13.  .
2. ^ ^{a b} "Foundation- About Us -Highline Community College". 2006. http://www.funds4highline.org/about.htm. Retrieved 2006-12-23.  
3. ^ "About HCC". Highline Community College. http://www.highline.edu/home/catalog/appendices/about.html. Retrieved 2006-11-26.  .
4. ^ Nichols, Ralph. "President removed at Highline College". Highline Times. http://www.highlinetimes.com/articles/2006/11/21/news/local_news/news02.txt. Retrieved 2006-11-26.  
5. ^ "Interim President Appointed". 2006. http://www.highline.edu/home/messages/interim.htm. Retrieved 2006-11-29.  
6. ^ "President's Office Home Page Highline Community College". 2006-12-1. http://www.highline.edu/pres/president/. Retrieved 2006-12-24.  
7. ^ "HCC Facts". 2007. http://www.highline.edu/ia/cam/F/Index.htm#Fact_Sheet:__Student_Profile. Retrieved 2007-11-12.  
8. ^ "Accredited". Highline Community College. http://www.highline.edu/home/catalog/appendices/about.html#accred. Retrieved 2006-11-26.  
9. ^ "Foundation Highline Community College". 2006. http://www.funds4highline.org/. Retrieved 2006-12-23.  
10. ^ "About the MaST Center - Highline Community College". 2007-11-21. http://mast.highline.edu/AboutTheCenter.htm. Retrieved 2008-06-09.  
11. ^ "Highline Community College's Marine Science and Technology Center". 2007. http://flightline.highline.edu/mast/. Retrieved 2007-11-12.