Strategic Plan for Equitable Student Success

The Strategic Plan for Equitable Student Success is a living document that guides the development of annual work plans. At the beginning of the 2022-2023 academic year, the College adopted a set of strategic goals and objectives to guide the college in accomplishing its mission. Progress on this plan is tracked with the college’s Mission Fulfillment Report.

Aligned with Highline College  Mission, Vision and Values, four broad goals anchor the Strategic Plan for Equitable Student Success to focus actions for the next three to five years  are:

1. Access – Increase equitable and representative access to postsecondary educational and career opportunities that lead to social and economic mobility in Highline’s service area.
2. Learning – Increase equitable learning, retention, completion and transfer rates, and improve labor market outcomes using evidence-based innovation and high-impact practices in and out of the classroom.
3. Community – Increase breadth and depth of partnerships with K-12, other postsecondary institutions, community-based organizations, employers and government that align with Highline’s strategic priorities and contribute to economic and social vibrancy of communities it serves.
4. Culture & Capacity – Become an anti-racist college through intentional development of employees, facilities, and systems that support student success and close equity gaps.

Strategic Goals and Objectives

For each goal –– access, learning, community, and culture & capacity –– Highline leadership identified Strategic goals and objectives for Equitable Student Success.

Strategic Priorities

Following a collaborative review of our Mission Fulfillment data, campus leaders identified four key priorities to guide our focus for the 2026-2027 academic year:

Student Retention: Strengthening support to ensure more students stay on track from year to year.
Student Funding: Expanding financial support to remove barriers to completion.
Credential Completion: Unifying our goals for transfer, workforce, and BAS degrees to help every student reach the finish line.
Infrastructure and Safety: Ensuring our physical and digital spaces remain accessible, modern, and safe.

Strategic Planning Council

The Strategic Planning Council (SPC) provides leadership and oversight for Highline College’s Strategic Plan for Equitable Student Success. The Council ensures that the college’s strategic planning process is equity-centered, data-informed, participatory, and aligned with accreditation standards and institutional mission fulfillment. This council is comprised of faculty, staff and student representation. The council is advised by the college’s formal governance structures, including Executive Cabinet, Deans and Associate Deans, Division Chairs, and representatives from HCEA, WPEA, Faculty Senate, Associated Students of Highline College, Institutional Effectiveness Committee, Assessment Committee, Institutional Research, and the Public Information Officer.