Executive Cabinet
Dr. John R. Mosby
President
Dr. John R. Mosby became Highline’s seventh president in July 2018. He is the chief executive, administrative, and education officer of the community and derives authority from, and is responsible to the Highline College Board of Trustees. The president’s primary responsibility is to provide a vision for the college and continuous leadership and direction for the planning and operation of all aspects of the college’s programs and services in conformity with board policies, rules and regulations, and state law. The five-member board of trustees provides a strategic perspective and definitive leadership in collaboration with the president in operating the college. Dr. Mosby has more than 23 years of higher education experience, having served as vice president for Student Services at Mission College and dean at Skyline College, both located in California. His work experience includes that of adjunct faculty, teaching undergraduate-, graduate- and doctoral-level courses at community colleges and four-year institutions with research interests rooted in the belief of servant leadership, social justice and equity. Dr. Mosby holds a doctorate in leadership/higher education administration from the University of San Diego, a master’s degree in educational and counseling psychology from the University of the Pacific and a bachelor’s degree in English from St. Mary’s College.
Danielle K. Slota
Executive Director, Office of the President
Secretary to the Board of Trustees | Title IX Coordinator | Public Records Officer
As Executive Director, Danielle K. Slota supports the President by coordinating strategic initiatives, managing executive communications, and serving as a key liaison across campus. With a collaborative leadership style, Danielle plays a central role in aligning operations and advancing institutional priorities at the college.
In addition to overseeing communications from the Office of the President, Danielle serves as delegated Secretary to the Board of Trustees, Title IX Coordinator, and Public Records Officer—roles that reflect a strong commitment to governance, equity, and transparency.
Danielle K. Slota holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Central Washington University and is currently pursuing a Master of Legal Studies at Drexel University, with a double concentration in Higher Education Compliance and Human Resources Compliance. Danielle began her career in higher education with the University of Washington in 2011, joining Highline College in 2018.
Dr. Jamilyn Penn
Vice President, Student Services
Dr. Jamilyn Penn is a fierce advocate for student success, having served in many roles in our state system. Most recently, she was the statewide director of transfer education for the Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges. She has also served in dean roles at Lake Washington and Clover Park Technical Colleges. Dr. Penn possesses a strong fiscal background, as she previously was the program supervisor of Title I and Learning Assistance Program for the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. In that role, she monitored 295 public school districts across the state in areas of budgeting and compliance. Dr. Penn began her career in the classroom serving as a special education teacher in Texas.
Joshua Gerstman
Vice President, Institutional Advancement
Josh Gerstman works with the Institutional Advancement team to build valuable relationships and establish a meaningful presence within Highline College’s communities, resulting in support for the college and our students. Josh has 20 years’ experience working in the community and technical college system, primarily at Green River College, where he worked with staff, faculty and community to develop a series of financial interventions to assist students in clearing a path to their degrees. Josh is active in the community as a Kent Rotarian, and along with his wife Heather as volunteer search dog handlers in King County, and as a father of a graduating high school senior. Josh earned a master’s degree at Wayne State University in Detroit and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, where he was a tuba player in the Michigan Marching Band.
Dra. Maribel Torres Jiménez
Vice President, Equity, Diversity and Transformation
Dr. Maribel Jiménez is the inaugural vice president for Equity, Diversity, and Transformation at Highline College. She is a first-generation college student that continues to learn to navigate higher education at multiple levels with ancestral knowledge, guidance, and mentoring from the great leaders and pioneers that served before her. Dr. Jiménez has been an educator for over 18 years. She combines nine years of K-12 experience, serving as a teacher and school counselor, and working in higher education. Previously, Dr. Jimenez served as the Dean of Academic Transfer Pathways and Partnerships at Highline College. Her scope of experience includes tenured faculty counselor and Title V grant director at Yakima Valley College. Dr. Jimenez holds a Master of Social Work from Eastern Washington University and a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Northcentral University.
Melanie Lawson
Vice President, Human Resources
Melanie Lawson has joined us with over 20 years of experience in human resources in both the private and nonprofit sectors. She holds degrees in both human resources and business administration. Melanie is a proven strategic HR leader who specializes in policy development and employee engagement. Her approach to human resources management through an equity lens will continue to drive positive change at Highline College while we search for a permanent Executive Director.
Dr. Michael Pham
Vice President, Administrative Services
Michael Pham joined Highline College in 2015 and oversees the Administrative Services division. Previously, he spent over 24 years working for Seattle Central College and Seattle College District in various leadership positions including executive director of financial services and vice president of administrative services. Michael holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Washington Tacoma and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in business administration.
Dr. Rolita Flores Ezeonu
Interim Vice President, Academic Affairs
Dr. Rolita Flores Ezeonu is the Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs and has served and led in South King County for over 25 years. From July 2018 to February 2025, she served as Vice President of Instruction at Green River College, where she provided executive leadership in faculty recruitment, development, retention, and evaluation. She oversaw curriculum and instruction while advancing anti-racist practices both in and outside the classroom. Dr. Ezeonu also strengthened instructional leadership and forged partnerships with institutions, public agencies, and community organizations. Equity and social justice are at the center of her work. Prior to her role at Green River College, she was Interim Vice President of Instruction at Highline College from April 2017 – June 2018 and Dean of Instruction for Transfer and Pre-College Education from July 2008 – March 2017. She also taught as a tenured faculty member and adjunct faculty member in Communication Studies at Highline. Dr. Ezeonu holds a Doctorate in Education with a focus on higher education from Seattle University, as well as a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Washington State University.
Tim Wrye
Chief Information Officer
Tim Wrye leads the Information Technology Services (ITS) division at Highline College, where he serves as Chief Information Officer (CIO). A long-standing member of the Highline community, Tim played a key role in advancing academic technology before establishing the ITS division and stepping into his current leadership role.
Beyond campus, Tim is actively involved in statewide IT governance. He has served as chair of both the Information Technology Commission (ITC) and the ctcLink Project Steering Committee. He currently chairs the DataLink Steering Committee and represents the ITC on the WACTC Equity Committee.
Tim holds a Master of Education in Educational Communications and Technology from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Music Education from Pacific Lutheran University. While he never taught in a classroom, his passion for music endures—he remains active in the Tacoma choral community, performing with the Symphony Tacoma Voices and serving on the Board of the Tacoma Youth Chorus.