Dear Highline,
As we approach the end of fall quarter and we reflect on the year 2025 as a whole, we want to acknowledge the strength, dignity, and resilience of our community, particularly our students. This year has brought a multitude of regulatory, funding, and legal challenges, both for the college and for our community at-large. As the members of the Joint Information Center, we are choosing to conclude the year by uplifting our core values. We recognize that comments, actions, and events by the federal administration have caused pain and serious concern for many, most recently for our students, neighbors, and friends in the Somali community. We denounce this harmful and dangerous rhetoric.
As a way to encourage selfcare and community care, we’ve put together some resources and tips. We are also asking for your input as we enter 2026. Please feel welcome to use this anonymous JIC input form to provide your feedback, questions, or concerns.
Our first tip, over the holiday break, find time to unplug and unwind. Take some time outside, listen to some great music, make time for gathering with loved ones, friends and neighbors.
Here are some mindfulness tips from Southern Utah University, and finally, some tips from the American Psychiatric Association, from music to tai chi.
Below are some resources that are available year-round:
Highline College Resources:
- Counseling Center: counseling@highline.edu | (206) 592-3353
- Bias Incident Reporting: reportbias@highline.edu
- Campus Safety & Security: publicsafety@highline.edu | (206) 592-3218
- Division Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion | edi@highline.edu
External Resources:
- Washington State Employee Assistance Program (EAP) | https://eap.wa.gov/
- Washington State Human Rights Commission: (800) 233-3247 | www.hum.wa.gov
- Crisis Connections (24/7 support): (866) 427-4747 | www.crisisconnections.org
- Northwest Immigrant Rights Project: (206) 445-5771 | www.nwirp.org
- Jewish Family Service of Seattle: (206) 461-3240 | www.jfsseattle.org
- Asian Counseling and Referral Service | (206) 695-7600 https://acrs.org/
- Consejo Counseling & Referral Services | (206) 461-4800 https://www.consejocounseling.org
Every one of us has a role to play in ensuring we remain connected, supported, and rooted in our values as we serve our students and community with the dignity and respect we all deserve. No one should feel alone when processing current events and we encourage everyone at every level to see the good in one another and be present as we navigate how to collectively work together and serve our community. We are committed to using our Highline College values as our guiding light as we conclude 2025 and welcome 2026, together.
In Community,
Josh, Tim, Mariela, Steve, Jill, Shakira, Jack, Francesca, Ay, David and Danielle
Highline College Joint Information Center (JIC)
The Joint Information Center (JIC) is a group of employees activated to monitor federal policy changes and actions affecting institutions of higher education. We communicate by email to keep you up to date on federal decisions and actions that could affect our school and students. These include a broad range of government actions that could impact the college’s mission, operations, and community. You may provide your feedback, questions, or concerns through this anonymous JIC input form.