Leadership Team

Liz Word, Dean of Academic Pathways and Student Learning Resources, leads the guided pathways work within Academic Affairs, including managing the project of updating program maps, ctcLink, the catalog, and developing campus-wide communications about program/curriculum changes. Liz serves as the lead for faculty advising in partnership with the Dean of Enrollment and Advising in Student Services. Liz supports general education faculty and department coordinators, serving as a key point of contact for resources and concerns. Liz leads a team of staff charged with providing student learning resources. Liz’s primary focus is supporting and managing projects aimed at increasing retention and closing equity gaps.

Jenni Sandler, Associate Dean for Accessibility Resources, leads a team focused on making learning opportunities more accessible to all students. Jenni is the primary administrator for the office and programs within Access, Inclusive Education, and Employment. Jenni collaborates with faculty and staff across all divisions of the College to advocate on behalf of students with disabilities, and to educate the campus community about equitable programs, services, learning and teaching, accessibility, and accommodations that contribute to students’ achievement of their goals. As a member of the Academic Affairs Administrative leadership team, Jenni continues to advocate for human accommodations and universal design to support all learners.

Tanya Powers, Associate Dean for Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) and Workforce Pathways, directs daily Bachelor of Applied Science operations, including budget development, providing administrative support to BAS coordinators, developing and implementing BAS recruitment campaigns, ensuring that BAS scheduling aligns with academic plans,  and that BAS programs are meet community needs, and promote social and economic mobility for people in our service area. Tanya works closely with Dean Bachmeier on projects aimed at increasing enrollment in BAS programs and streamlining operations. Tanya leads our division’s efforts to use Lightcast data to better understand regional employment demand and opportunities for improving students’ social and economic mobility.

Steve Washburn, Associate Dean for English Language, Career and Academic Prep (ELCAP), is responsible for comprehensive ELCAP planning, including overall direction of daily operations, budget development and control, and ensuring compliance with state (BEDA and WIOA) and college policies. Our ELCAP program is recognized across the state as an inclusive and innovative program that serves the needs of immigrants, refugees, and speakers of languages other than English throughout South King County. Steve meets regularly with ELCAP staff and faculty to manage enrollment, create course schedules, develop departmental policies and procedures. Steve works closely with Dean Dampeer on initiatives aimed at increasing transitions, including the strategic expansion of our I-BEST programs.  

Gerie Ventura, Associate Dean for Library and Learning Resources, leads the Highline College Library with an emphasis on improving retention, access, and student success outcomes for a highly diverse student population. The Highline College Library is the heart of many of the academic initiatives of the college. Gerie is responsible for comprehensive library program planning, overall direction of daily operations; budget development and control; and directing, organizing and managing all library staff, resources, programs, and services, and serving as their passionate advocate. Gerie works closely with Dean Word to support the team focused on retention, particularly the director of the Academic Success Center and MESA.

Gabrielle Bachmeier, Dean of Workforce Partnerships and Extended Learning, supports extended learning at Highline, including programs offered through Continuing Education, High School Engagement and Academic Success (HSEAS), the HUB: Federal Way, and the MaST. Gabrielle focuses on strengthening our external partnerships, serving as an essential point of connection between Institutional Advancement and prof-tech faculty. Working in collaboration with Tanya Powers, Gabrielle is a key point of contact for BAS coordinators and faculty. After serving as project manager for Highline’s strategic enrollment management initiative, Gabrielle leads a team of staff in Academic Affairs focused on recruitment for both high school and adult learners.

Raegan Copeland, Acting Dean of Workforce Pathways, ensures the professional technical programs meet federal, state, and regional requirements and oversees the certification process for professional-technical faculty. Raegan also manages workforce grants that support the college’s goals and helps keep curriculum and programs up to date. She works closely with faculty and staff to support advisory committees, accreditation efforts, and student success. Raegan collaborates with other deans to create work-based learning opportunities, connect students through learning communities, and promote effective teaching strategies. She is committed to helping workforce students—from recruitment and enrollment to graduation—and advocates for faculty while developing class schedules that meet the unique needs of our students.

Justin Dampeer, Dean of Academic Alignment and Strategic Transformation, plays a critical role in strengthening connections and integration between Academic Affairs and EDT divisions, particularly engaging with leadership and faculty on professional development, learning communities, and overall alignment of strategic institutional goals. Justin supports the Cultural Learning Communities, Benefits Hub, and Student Success Center which provides wrap around services to all students at Highline College. Justin serves as a key point of contact for faculty and department coordinators pertaining to the learning communities including Juntos, UMOJA, and Highline Promise. Justin leads a team of staff responsible for high school to college transitions and student support services. Justin’s primary focus is managing and supporting projects to increase transition to credit, increasing enrollment and retention, and closing equity gaps and serve as a liaison to align the work of the EDT division and Academic Affairs.

Tony Garcia, Dean of Advising and Enrollment Services, provides leadership, operational oversight and evaluation for several departments within student services, including Entry Advising; Pathway Advising; Running Start; Enrollment Services (Admissions, Registration, Records & Credentials Evaluation); Veteran’s Services and Career & Transfer Services report to this position. This dean is a member of the Student Services Affairs Cabinet and participates in setting strategic direction, anticipating and responding to opportunities and challenges, managing resources, formulating policy and developing key relationships with academic and administrative colleagues to further the mission and goals of the college.

Ay Saechao, Dean of Student Support and Funding Services, provides administrative support and oversees the Student Support and Funding Services departments, ensuring program compliance and continuous improvement for funding, retention and completion services. The departments include TRiO Student Support Services; TRiO Talent Search; Women’s Programs WorkFirst Services; Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct; and the Office of Retention and Completion Services. The position also provides administrative support for the associate dean for Student Funding Services and respective reporting departments, which include: Financial Aid; Workforce Education Services (WES); Worker Retraining; Opportunity Grant; Basic Food Employment & Training (BFET); Early Achievers; Highline Community Pantry; While In School Housing; and the United Way King County Benefits Hub. In addition, the dean serves as the college deputy Title IX coordinator.

Loyal Allen Jr., Associate Dean of Student Funding Center, provides overall administrative support of Student Funding Services, which include Financial Aid; Workforce Education Services (WES): Worker Retraining, Opportunity Grant, BFET, Early Achievers Grant; Highline Community Pantry; While In School Housing and the United Way King County Benefits Hub. This associate dean works with the Student Services Affairs Cabinet to ensure student funding programs are meeting the needs of the college and students. They work collaboratively with the dean of Student Success and Student Funding Services to address key issues pertaining to students, staff and faculty. This position supports direct reports and their teams to assure all funding sources are being administered according to the federal and state guidelines while assuring students have equitable access to all funding resources while removing systemic barriers.

Isabelle Wroblewski, Associate Dean of Student Life, helps to resolve student conflicts, recommends student life policies, and conducts assessments and evaluations. This position is responsible for the administrative and programmatic oversight of Campus View Student Housing, the Center for Cultural and Inclusive Excellence, and the Center for Leadership and Service to ensure the values of learning, service, leadership and social justice are vibrant within the spectrum of department offerings.