Dear Highline College Community,
Summer quarter is moving quickly. We are already in Week 6 of our 8-week quarter, and I continue to enjoy this season and the opportunity to see the incredible work happening across the college.
Thank you for the outstanding support you provide to our students every day. Your commitment is meaningful, transformative, and truly changes lives. I am grateful for all that you do.
I would like to share an update with you on our enrollment data. Our annualized FTE (excluding ELCAP) for 2025-26currently stands at 3,283.4. At this same point last year, our annualized FTE for 2024-25 was 3,038.5. This represents an increase of 244.9 FTEs year over year, reflecting strong growth and positive momentum for the college.
As we begin focusing on enrollment for Fall Quarter 2026, the data dashboard reflects the following:
| Program | Current FTE | Change from Prior Year | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Running Start | 814.0 | -82.4 | -0.19% |
| International | 182.8 | -14.86 | -7.52% |
| Worker Retraining (WRT) | 59.7 | +17.92 | +42.90% |
| BAS | 172.0 | +7.46 | +4.5% |
| State Less EL CAP | 1,841.0 | +107.7 | +6.2% |
While it is still early in the enrollment cycle, it is important that we closely monitor these trends. The programs highlighted above are particularly significant because they provide valuable insight into the direction of future state funding and our operating budget. Enrollment trends also serve as an important indicator of the overall health of the institution.
As we move through the remainder of the summer and prepare for fall, I encourage all of us to continue supporting one another and working collaboratively. By doing so, we ensure that our students receive the high-quality services, instruction, and support they deserve. Their success remains at the center of everything we do.
For additional context, I have attached a summary of recent enrollment trends across Washington’s community and technical college system as reported by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC). This information will provide an indication of the part that Highline College plays in supporting the system’s effort to generate FTEs.
Thank you again for your dedication to our students and to one another. Together, we are building on a strong foundation and creating opportunities that transform lives. I look forward to continuing this positive momentum as we prepare for a successful fall quarter.
Warm regards,
Jamilyn
Jamilyn Penn, EdD
Interim President
Highline College
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