Shoreline Community College (Shoreline) welcomes Dr. Ryan Aiello as the new Vice President of Student Services. With an extensive background in higher education and a steadfast commitment to equity and inclusion, Aiello brings invaluable expertise and dedication to his new leadership role. “I am honored and grateful to be joining Dr. Kahn and the Shoreline team in its strategic efforts to change the dominant narrative to a culture that builds paths and bridges for all students, faculty, and staff,” said Aiello about his new role. Dr. Aiello will start with Shoreline on June 1, 2024.
Originally from Southern California, Ryan has spent the past three years in Phoenix, Arizona, and now brings his wealth of experience to Shoreline. As a first-generation, low-income college student, Aiello earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Washington State University (Pullman). He furthered his education by completing his Master’s graduate work in Counseling Psychology and earning his Doctor of Philosophy in Education & Leadership (Ph.D.) at Pacific University, with a focus on the experiences of faculty and staff of color in recruitment, retention, and campus climate at community colleges in the Pacific Northwest. “I see Shoreline as an institution with leadership that deeply wants to serve the surrounding community and shape education towards closing equity gaps that have hindered people who have been historically oppressed and discriminated against.”
With over twenty-four years of experience in higher education, Aiello has served in Student Affairs roles at five distinct institutions, including Gateway Community College, Portland Community College, Pacific University, Eastern Washington University, and Washington State University. For the past two and a half years he has served as Dean of Student Engagement and Retention at Gateway Community College where he launched and moved Guided Pathways forward with curriculum redesign throughout the district, training around holistic approaches for Faculty and Academic Advisors, while implementing software platforms that supported multiple stakeholders.
Prior to his work at Gateway Community College, Aiello was also the Dean of Student Development at Portland Community College where he was the lead administrator and directly involved with Oregon’s first DREAMer’s Resource Center for the undocumented and DACAmented students. He was responsible for continued development after its first grant of $50,000 and was able to establish permanent general funding for operations and a full-time, exempt position within two years, even amongst declining enrollment and a challenging political environment for the undocumented community.
Outside of his work in education, Ryan treasures time spent with his wife, four boys, and four dogs. He can often be found attending extracurricular events for his children, exploring the outdoors, discovering a new favorite beer or coffee brew, hitting the nearest metro sporting or concert event, or spending time in his studio or onstage with his band ILL LUCID ONSET.
Shoreline Community College is pleased to announce that Dr. Pangyen (Ben) Weng has accepted the role of Vice President for Instruction.
Dr. Weng will start on July 1, 2024, and brings twenty years of experience in higher education to the role. “I am thrilled to be part of Dr. Kahn’s administration and to lead Shoreline’s outstanding faculty,” Ben expressed about his new role. “Together, we are committed to expanding Shoreline’s transformative and equitable educational opportunities for students.”
For the past six years Ben has served as the STEM Dean at Minneapolis College in Minnesota. During his tenure, he and his faculty launched innovative curriculum initiatives to tackle the myriad challenges facing higher education. Notably, the Minneapolis Math and Science Pathways, along with the Minneapolis Open-Access IT Degrees, resulted in increased enrollment, narrowed achievement gaps, and greater student interest in STEM courses.
Before assuming his deanship, Dr. Weng spent fourteen years as a mathematics professor at three different four-year universities. At Metropolitan State University in Minnesota, he chaired the mathematics department, pioneered new degree programs, and played a pivotal role in establishing the state’s universal 2+2 transfer agreements of math degrees between all the public universities and two-year colleges. His teaching repertoire spanned the entire spectrum of mathematics, from developmental to advanced levels.
Dr. Weng holds a doctoral degree in mathematics from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from National Taiwan University in Taipei. His expertise is in real analysis and differential equations, a field where nothing is taken for granted unless logically proven to be true. While Ben’s training lies in theoretical mathematics, his greatest passion is sharing the joy of math with others. In 2022, he authored “Math Excursions for Liberal Arts,” a textbook tailored for non-STEM students.
Originally from Taiwan, Ben came to the US to pursue advanced studies over 25 years ago. He has a wife and three kids. In his free time, he enjoys cooking Taiwanese beef noodles or Japanese yakisoba, playing his 1993 Yamaha silver flute, and hiking with his family. He looks forward to exploring the scenic trails in the region on his bike or rollerblades.
Shoreline Community College (Shoreline) is proud to announce the launch of its Bachelor of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene (BASDH) program, the first bachelor’s degree offering at the college. This innovative program aims to tackle the pressing need for qualified dental hygienists in Washington State, particularly in rural areas where access to dental care is limited.
“This program is directly at the heart of our mission,” shared Dr. Lucas Rucks, Acting Vice President of Instruction at Shoreline. “We are using data to inform decisions, leveraging employer feedback, and putting out high-quality graduates to serve our communities exactly where they are needed most.”
With data indicating a national shortage of dental hygienists and an increasing demand for their services, Shoreline Community College is stepping up to bridge this gap by expanding its dental hygiene program. The BASDH program builds upon the existing curriculum, making it both easy and convenient for students while ensuring they receive high-quality education to meet the demands of the profession.
“Washington state has had an urgent need for dental care and dental care professionals for quite some time. We are thrilled with our partnership with the University of Washington for the location of this program and the launch of this new bachelor’s degree program in dental hygiene will be a huge boon to the state. Shoreline is known for a stellar dental hygiene program and this expansion will help us have a broader impact on the region,” said Dr. Jack Kahn, President of Shoreline Community College about the new program.
The BASDH program is a culmination of years of dedication and perseverance, overcoming significant obstacles to reach fruition. This degree maintains the rigorous standards of the existing dental hygiene program, with students completing 119 dental hygiene credits over the 8-quarter program. The addition of the bachelor’s program aligns with Shoreline Community College’s commitment to workforce development and addressing critical needs in the healthcare sector.
Starting summer quarter 2024, the BASDH program will accept its first cohort of 20 students, who will graduate in June 2026. “We are excited to offer this opportunity to our students, as it will open up new possibilities for continuing education and work in the community, “ said Dr. Nikki Honey and Lori Simicich- Co-Directors of Shoreline’s Dental Hygiene Program.
Commencement is coming! Graduation-eligible students are invited to stop by the Countdown to Commencement event on Mon. 4/22 from 11am-2pm in the PUB lobby. Representatives from Career Services, the Alumni Association, Academic Advising, Financial Aid, and Enrollment Services will be on hand to answer questions you have and help you along the path towards graduation! Don’t miss out on free tips and treats!
Date: Monday 4/22/24
Time: 11:00am-2:00pm
Location: 9000 Building (PUB) Lobby
If you have any questions, e-mail commencement@shoreline.edu
I am excited to share that Cameron Dollar has been appointed Acting Director of Athletics, Intramurals and Physical Education. Cameron will be in the role from April 1st through June 30, 2024, while the College conducts the search to hire for this position.
Cameron comes to us most recently from Franklin High School in Seattle, where he was Athletic Director and Co-Commissioner of Basketball, overseeing 16 sports. His prior experience includes head coach for Seattle University’s Men’s Basketball team, Assistant Coach for the University of Washington’s Men’s Basketball team, and success at the highest level as a collegiate basketball player.
Cameron earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Los Angeles and is due to complete his Master of Science in Sports Administration from Arkansas State University, Jonesboro in July 2025. “I have long admired the mission and role of community colleges in education. I am excited to be a part of the student-centered, life-changing work that occurs here at Shoreline,” says Dollar about taking on this new role. Please join me in giving him a warm welcome to Shoreline.
We will be conducting a search for a permanent hire for this role over the course of the spring quarter. To assist with these transitions, Sydney Hinnebusch continues to do an incredible job taking on extra duties and has been appointed Acting Assistant Director of Athletics, Intramurals and Physical Education, through June 30, 2024.
You are invited to submit nominations for student and faculty Commencement speakers and for the Student Service Award. You can nominate yourself, or one of your peers!
Help us to recognize the accomplishments of the Class of 2024 by recognizing students and faculty who have made significant contributions to our community or whose journey and experiences reflect the spirit of Shoreline. To nominate someone, go to this link and complete the brief form by Wednesday, April 10th.
A number of campus offices are currently recruiting student leaders for the 2024-2025 school year. If you’re interested in getting involved and want to represent and support your fellow students, check out the descriptions of available positions below for more information. Arts & Entertainment Board (A&E) A&E is currently hiring for 2 position types that support student activities: Event Coordinators who help to plan and host a variety of fun events, and Graphic Designers who help to create fliers and promotional materials. To apply, goHEREand submit by Sunday, April 7. For more information, email studentlife@shoreline.edu. Associated Student Government (ASG) ASG provides a representative voice for all SCC students by overseeing the allocation and use of student fees, serving on campus committees, and providing opportunities for students to give feedback about their Shoreline experience. There are 9 officer and 3 student representative positions available. For more information and to apply, goHEREand submit by Sunday, April 7. For more information, email studentlife@shoreline.edu. eLearning Peer Mentors eLearning Peer Mentors work with online students (mentees) in their first or second quarter at Shoreline. In this role, you will support student success by cultivating thoughtful relationships with your mentees and by actively listening to and engaging with them to help them build a sense of community at Shoreline. Applications for the 2024-25 academic year will be accepted from May 6-June 3. If you have questions, please email Lauren Caruso at lcaruso@shoreline.edu. First Year Peer Mentors First Year Peer Mentors support new students enrolled in the College & Career Success (COL 101) course, a class that helps students get adjusted to college and explore career options. First Year Peer Mentors provide activities for COL 101 students, such as campus tours and office hours. They work approximately 5-7 hours a week. Applications for the 2024-25 academic year will be accepted from May 6-June 3. For questions, email Tsetsen Anuurad at tanuurad@shoreline.ed. International Student Ambassadors (ISA) ISAs assist admissions and outreach staff to connect with new students around the world via email and social media. ISAs also help with presentations, blog writing, video production, translating, etc. There are five language positions available (Bahasa, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, and Vietnamese); to apply goHERE. If you have any questions, email ldu@shoreline.edu or iwelcome@shoreline.edu. International Student Leaders (ISL) ISLs provide support to new and continuing international students to achieve cross-cultural experiences and academic success during their time here at Shoreline. ISLs support Orientation, plan events, provide mentorship, and help to engage with all international students on campus. The application will open around March 13, and the deadline will open Sunday, April 7, at 11:59 p.m. For more information or to get on the e-mail list to receive a link to the application on March 13, email ywung@shoreline.edu or iestudentleaders@shoreline.edu. Resident Assistants (RAs) RAs live on-campus in the college’s residence hall, 7000 Campus Living, and directly contribute to a community that supports students’ academic and personal success. This is done through one-on-one connections with students, planning of social and educational events and activities, and the upholding of community standards. If you are eager to help others, have a creative side, and can think on your feet, this is the right job for you! To apply, goHEREand submit by Sunday, April 7. For more information, email mshameem@shoreline.edu. Student Ambassadors Student Ambassadors help new and continuing students with questions about the college and connect them to campus resources. They work with various departments each quarter and provide friendly assistance to students who come to them with questions. Student Ambassadors are also involved in various activities, such as campus tours, and are expected to work 10 hours a week in person on average. For more information and to apply, goHERE. Deadline to apply is Sunday, April 7. For questions, email Tsetsen Anuurad at tanuurad@shoreline.edu.
Please join us for a thought-provoking evening with Tim Wise, one of the nation’s foremost anti-racist educators, as he discusses the current state of anti-racist education in the U.S.
What: “The Attack on Critical Race Theory and Anti-Racist Education” – A Talk with Tim Wise
Named one of “25 Visionaries Who are Changing Your World,” Wise is the author of nine books, including his latest, Dispatches from the Race War. His writing has also appeared in Salon, Huffington Post, The Root, Black Commentator, and many other popular publications and scholarly journals.
Wise has been featured in several documentaries, including “Vocabulary of Change,” in which he appears alongside legendary scholar and activist Angela Davis to discuss the connections between issues of race, class, gender, sexuality and militarism, as well as inter-generational movement building and the prospects for social change. He also appears regularly on CNN and MSNBC.
We hope that you can join us at 6pm on Thursday, March 7 for this very special event
Do you have a kid in your life for love basketball? Check out our summer camp offerings!
Summer Youth Camps are open for registration! Sign up your kiddos to learn to play basketball with Shoreline coach Aaron Mackey and team plays this summer! Registration is open NOW! Shoreline Community College (campusce.net). Contact Coach Mackey with questions: askeem@shoreline.edu.
