Want to know more about applying to professional graduate school? (Medical/Dental school, PA and PT/OT programs) come here about how the Postbac program at Shoreline can help with the needed prerequisites, and how to apply, interview and get accepted.
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.
Free Mental Health First Aid Training Offered at Shoreline Community College!
Shoreline Community College Counseling Center is offering free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training for our campus community. MHFA is a research-supported international education program developed to teach adults how to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges. MHFA is a skills-based course that gives people the tools to assist someone who might be struggling with mental health or substance use challenges and connect them with appropriate support and resources. To date, 2.5 million people across the United States have been trained in MHFA.
Just as CPR helps those without clinical training assist an individual having a heart attack, MHFA prepares participants to interact with a person experiencing a mental health crisis. Mental Health First Aiders learn a 5-step Action Plan that guides them through reaching out and offering appropriate support.
With support from the Counseling Center, this training (valued at $170.00/participant) is FREE to Shoreline Community College employees and students.
Training Details:
We are currently offering a blended training which includes:
2-hour, self-paced online training prior to the in-person training and
6.5 hour in-person training
This quarter’s in-person training is scheduled for:
Friday, April 12th, 9:00am-3:30pm
The self-paced online training must be completed prior to attending the in-person training. You must complete the online and in-person training to become a certified Mental Health First Aider. MHFA certification lasts for 3 years.
If you cannot make this date – we will be offering another training later in the quarter.
Please email Gwyn Hoffman-Robinson at gehoffman@shoreline.edu to register and/or find out more information. Please note registration is limited and a waiting list will be started when capacity is reached. Once registered, details as far as room location, etc. will be shared.
Join the Honors College to learn more about the Alfie Scholars Program at Seattle University. Carol Cochran, Director Alfie Scholars at Seattle University, will join us in the Honors Lounge from Noon to 1pm to explain the Alfie Scholars program (https://www.alfiescholars.org/).
