POSTPONED: Due to inclement weather, two events scheduled for Thursday, February 6 will be held instead on Monday, February 24 at the same location and times.
Meet the SCC Alum with 1.3 Million TikTok Followers – Now on 2/24, 4pm, PUB Main Dining Room
The WAVES Asian & Pacific Islander Student Center and our co-sponsors welcome back Shoreline Community College alum and content creator, Hunter Ka’imi, for a special talk titled “How I Gained 1.3 Million Followers on TikTok… And What I Learned.”
Proudly representing the queer and mixed Filipino community, Hunter Ka’imi has dedicated over five years to the dynamic field of content creation and social media. His TikTok posts have received over 161 million likes.
Kaʻimi will offer unique insights into the world of social media from the perspective of a community college student, who started with a handful of followers and now reaches millions of people on a regular basis worldwide.
The event will take place on Thursday, February 24 at 4:00pm in Shoreline Community College’s Main Dining Room (9215 PUB). The talk will be followed by our Lunar New Year celebration featuring cultural displays, food, and live performances from 5:00 to 7:00pm also in the Main Dining Room. All events are free and open to the public.
SCC’s Lunar New Year Celebration – Now on Feb. 24, 5pm, PUB Main Dining Room
Celebrate Lunar New Year at SCC and welcome the Year of the Snake with educational displays, food, and a talent show representing diverse cultures:
Learn about the many ways communities in the US and Asia celebrate Lunar New Year
Watch live music and performances from SCC students and friends
Enjoy Taiwanese Food and Tea from Looking for Chai
Taste snacks from a wide array of cultures that celebrate Lunar New Year
Get an animal in your zodiac sign from balloon artist and SCC student DiAngelo Baltazar of Hoopla Face Painting and Balloons
The celebration will take place on Thursday, February 24 from 5:00 to 7:00pm in Shoreline Community College’s Main Dining Room (9215 PUB). It will be preceded at 4:00pm by a talk from SCC alum, Hunter Ka’imi, “How I Gained 1.3 Million Followers on TikTok… And What I Learned,” also in the Main Dining Room. All events are free and open to the public.
Sponsored by the WAVES Asian Pacific Islander Student Center with support from a coalition of student clubs, SCC offices, and community businesses.
February is American Heart Month, celebrating and bringing awareness about heart conditions in America.
This month is also National Wear Red Day, which in 2025 occurs on February 7. The Shoreline Community College Accessibility Advisory Committee encourages you to wear red on February 7, to show recognition and support for heart health. Post information about #OurHearts to your social media platforms, and recognize statistics, such as the significant one that heart disease is “the leading cause of death for Americans,” according to the American Heart Association.
What is Heart Disease?
Heart Disease may include a variety of heart-related irregularities, such as coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, congenital heart defects, and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). People may have strokes due to problems with their heart and any number of other symptoms; this is not a one-size-fits-all disease. Symptoms of heart disease can range from chest pain to jaw pain, to coldness in the extremities or more.
Heart Conditions in the Workplace and Classroom
While heart disease is often physically non-apparent, it can significantly impair daily life. For many individuals living with these conditions, the challenges extend beyond the physical. Research shows that 88% of employees with invisible disabilities choose not to disclose it at work to avoid stigma and discrimination. Unfortunately, this often results in social isolation, reduced productivity, and fewer opportunities for career advancement.
By offering accommodations to employees and students we can help ensure that people living with heart disease are not held back from achieving their potential, both personally and professionally. For more information about requesting employment accommodations at Shoreline, contact Human Resources at scchr@shoreline.edu. Students who may need accommodations in the classroom may reach out to Student Accessibility Services (SAS) at sas@shoreline.edu.
Risk Factors
Heart disease can have many causes and can affect anyone at any stage of life. If you are interested in learning more about risk factors and what you can do to maintain heart health, talk to a medical provider. If you need assistance finding a medical provider talk to your insurance provider. If you need assistance becoming insured talk to your employer or find a medical provider.
Awareness
Let’s take action this February by wearing red, learning more about heart disease, and supporting those in our community who live with it every day. Every body is different. If you are concerned about potential heart disease, seek out medical advice as soon as possible.
Accessibility Advisory Committee YouTube Playlist – The AAC YouTube playlist has a variety of videos, with PowerPoints, presentations performed by members, and recordings of past workshops at Shoreline. Let us know about specific topics that you think would be interesting for us to develop into videos!
How are we doing?
Please submit feedback about the information that the Accessibility Advisory Committee shares to Miranda Levy via email at mlevy@shoreline.edu so that the committee can review together and serve the campus community better.
This is a difficult message to send, especially after all the hard work and unity we’ve shown during the challenges of the past couple of weeks. On Thursday, January 30th, a staff member was approached in our all-gender bathroom in the 9000 Building and was harassed by a community member who expressed statements that were rooted in hate towards our LGBTQIA+ and immigrant communities. Security was immediately contacted, and the individual was escorted, and issued a verbal no trespass order. Shoreline Police were contacted, but the individual had already left by the time they arrived.
It’s crucial to call this incident what it is—plain and simple, it’s hate speech. We stand in solidarity with our colleague and reaffirm that hate speech has no place on our campus. This type of hate speech is not in alignment with the mission and values of Shoreline Community College, and we denounce any such acts that we encounter both now and in the future. We will continue to work with our Safety & Security team on how we can ensure a swift response to incidents like this one.
We are a college comprised of educators and learners who deeply value one another. Our campus must be a place where everyone can thrive, work, and learn without fear of hate encroaching on our shared environment.
If you are ever made to feel unsafe by the actions of a community member, please contact Campus Public Safety at (206) 235-5860. Additionally, The Office of DEIA, in collaboration with HR, will be revitalizing our Bias Response Team. This team will be dedicated to reviewing incidents like these, recommending training and college responses that are in alignment with our values and the needs of the SCC community. You are encouraged to report any and all biased incidents using our online reporting form.
Campus Safety: We appreciate the ongoing work of the Office of Safety and Security, and their commitment to being a supportive partner in reporting and addressing bias and incidents of hate. In response to this incident, they will do more frequent monitoring of all-gender restrooms to ensure they are a safe and welcoming space for all.
Office of DEIA: As mentioned before, The Office of DEIA will be convening a regular monthly BIAS response team dedicated to reviewing incidents like these.
Our Office of DEIA will be working with our State Board Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Officer to create training on how to approach incidents like this one, giving our team the tools needed to better prepare and address hate speech.
College Community: We ask all members of Shoreline Community College to stay aware of their surroundings and actively support efforts to report any observed or known bias.
Shoreline Community College remains committed to our LGBTQIA+ community, our Latinx/e Community, and all immigrant communities who are a vital part of our diverse campus.
Shoreline Community College is unwavering in its resolve to create an inclusive, diverse and welcoming community and incidents such as these will not deter us from this important work. We can and will work together to find the best in each other, to bridge our differences, and to treat each other with the respect and kindness that all people deserve.
If I can be of service to anyone who is impacted by this incident, please know that I am available to you.
Sincerely,
Brian
Brian Ramos Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
Last night The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) sent a memo announcing a temporary pause on all federal grants and loans, effective today at 2:00pm PST/5:00pm EST.
We do not have a lot of details to share at this time, but we just received confirmation that Title IV student aid is exempt from the OMB memo pausing funding. Title IV includes the Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG grant, Federal Work Study and Federal student loans. All other federal aid outside of Title IV is still unclear. Washington State aid programs which include Washington College Grant, Washington Bridge Grant, College Bound Scholarship, Passport to Careers, Opportunity Grant and State Work Study are also not impacted at this time.
We are closely monitoring the situation to understand the full scope of its impact on our students, staff, and institutional operations.
Please know that we are already taking steps to address this issue. Our leadership team is in direct communication with state and federal partners, including the offices of Sen. Patty Murray and other advocates in Congress, to urge clarity and advocate for resuming funding as quickly as possible.
We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
We know this news may bring uncertainty, and we want you to know that we are here for you. Your education and well-being are at the heart of everything we do, and we will continue to update you as we receive more information.
Sincerely,
Ryan Aiello Vice President of Student Services Shoreline Community College
Paul Herrick, philosophy professor at Shoreline Community College, will discuss Dr. King’s philosophical ideas, including themes of equality, human rights, and interconnectedness. Explore Dr. King’s views on morality, racism, and the sacredness of human life.
Donors Bridge FAFSA Gap for Students at Shoreline Community College
Shoreline, WA – [October 17, 2024] – The U.S. Department of Education promised a streamlined financial aid process for students this year by reimagining the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). However, instead of making things easier, the rollout of the new form has been riddled with delays and technical issues. Released months behind schedule, the updated FAFSA left colleges scrambling to process aid packages. Errors in the form nearly cost students $1.8 billion in federal aid, and even after a fix was implemented, further delays ensued. Additionally, a technical glitch prevented many non-citizens and their children from completing the application, adding to the frustration.
These delays have disproportionately impacted low-income students who rely on federal aid to meet essential needs such as rent, childcare, and food. Without timely access to these funds, many students faced frustration and financial insecurity, threatening their ability to remain in school.
In response, this summer the Shoreline Community College Foundation (SCCF), supported by generous donors, established a special emergency fund to bridge the gap between when students were awarded aid and when they received the funds. The Shoreline Community College (Shoreline) Financial Aid Office administered these funds to ensure students could stay enrolled despite the delays.
“Research from 2024 highlights that financial barriers remain one of the leading causes of student attrition,” said Ryan Aiello, Vice President of Student Services at Shoreline Community College. “A recent survey conducted by Western Washington University and the Washington State Achievement Council found that nearly 50% of students at two-year colleges have experienced food or housing insecurity.” Using Donor funds in this way alleviated financial stress on low-income students, keeping these students in school, giving them a better chance to complete their degree or certificate training, and move into living-wage jobs.
Wendy Coates, Executive Director of the SCCF, praised the donors whose contributions made this initiative possible: “This was such a unique situation. We knew the FAFSA rollout was delayed so we were able to find a solution to bridge the gap for our most financially fragile students before they were negatively impacted.” Through this program, 111 students received stipends ranging from $500 to $1,000 totaling $60,000 overall to cover critical living expenses, including rent, food, childcare, and transportation.
“I am deeply grateful to the donors to the SCCF who make emergency programs like this possible.,” Coates added. Every dollar not only impacts individual students but strengthens the entire Shoreline community.”
Aiello also underscored the emotional and mental health benefits of the emergency support: “This donor-backed initiative provided immediate relief for over 100 students, alleviating their financial stress as they prepared for the academic term. Beyond addressing physical needs, this assistance also contributed to students’ mental wellbeing by reducing the overwhelming anxiety that often accompanies financial uncertainty.”
“I am incredibly proud of our financial aid staff for their incredible dedication to our students at this time and to our Foundation and donors who really stepped up to serve students during this national federal aid crisis. It really demonstrates the commitment our community has for student success,” said Shoreline President Dr. Jack Kahn about this important initiative.
If you’d like to learn more about the work the Shoreline Community College Foundation does, or if you are interested by playing a positive role in the lives of our students by becoming a donor, please visit https://www.shoreline.edu/foundation/ or contact Wendy Coates at wcoates@shoreline.edu
Shoreline Community College (Shoreline) has been awarded a prestigious $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) as part of their inaugural Innovation in Two-Year College STEM Education (ITYC) program. This significant funding will support a groundbreaking project led by Professor Ben Wiggins, aimed at transforming how science exams are designed and administered in community college classrooms across the country.
The Pre-Released Exam Strategy Assessment Research (PRExSAR) project is one of 27 selected for funding through the NSF’s ITYC program, which awarded a total of $14.5 million in grants in its first year. This initiative seeks to advance innovative, evidence-based practices that enhance STEM education at two-year colleges nationwide.
Dr. Wiggins, a biology professor at Shoreline leads the project, which focuses on making science exams more equitable and effective for students. Partnering with professors from community colleges nationwide, the research team will explore how different exam strategies impact student performance and engagement. This innovative approach allows students to see the exam format and key concepts beforehand, fostering deeper learning and reducing test anxiety.
“For years, I’ve seen students struggle with traditional science exams, which can feel like a barrier to their success,” Wiggins explains. “This project allows us to explore how small changes to exam design can make a big difference, without adding extra burden on professors. We want to empower instructors with better tools, so they can help students thrive.”
In collaboration with Professor Greg Crowther of Everett Community College, the project will interview students and faculty from around the country, conduct experiments, and publish research that identifies the most effective and sustainable exam methods. “Five years ago, I stumbled across a blog post in which Ben outlined his Public Exam system. I was simultaneously impressed with Ben’s ideas and inspired to adapt them to my own classroom concerns and context, which led to the Test Question Template (TQT) framework. I’m delighted that our partnership and our work has now progressed to the point of attracting significant support from the NSF,” said Crowther about the project.
Findings from the study will provide essential insights into how to create assessments that foster greater student success, particularly in STEM fields.
“The need for a robust STEM workforce has never been greater,” Wiggins notes. “But outdated teaching methods and brutal exams are driving students away, often reinforcing the patterns of who has historically been allowed to succeed in science. This grant gives us a chance to change that narrative and bring real solutions to the table.”
The NSF’s ITYC program is part of a larger effort to expand STEM opportunities for community college students, a crucial demographic for the nation’s future scientists, engineers, and technicians. The program seeks to address the unique challenges faced by two-year institutions and ensure that students from diverse backgrounds have equitable access to STEM education.
Shoreline’s Vice President of Instruction, Dr Ben Weng emphasizes the importance of this reach: “Professor Wiggins’ project pioneers equitable assessment methods to elevate STEM teaching and learning. This innovative approach seeks to engage our diverse student body, particularly the traditionally underrepresented groups in STEM. The initiative aligns with Shoreline’s institutional goals for inclusive excellence in education. We wish him great success!
As Shoreline Community College leads this innovative research, the PRExSAR project has the potential to create lasting changes in how exams are designed and administered across the country, helping students succeed in their STEM education and beyond.
Shoreline Community College (Shoreline) is tackling the challenge of students experiencing homelessness head-on with the launch of a groundbreaking pilot program. Partnering with King County Housing programs and Best Starts for Kids, the initiative provides students experiencing homelessness who are enrolled in the Center for Education and Career Opportunities (CECO) program with stable on-campus housing, integrated directly with academic and employment support services.
Breaking Down Barriers to Success
Many students struggle to juggle educational pursuits with the instability of experiencing homelessness. The constant stress of finding shelter makes it difficult to focus on studies and maintain enrollment. Recognizing this critical barrier, CECO designed this pilot program to empower students experiencing homelessness to achieve their academic and career goals.
What is CECO?
CECO serves youth aged 16-21 who have dropped out of high school, assisting them in obtaining their secondary credentials and supporting them through their post-secondary education (gaining their certification, associate’s degree, career) tuition free. Despite the program’s success, certain student groups, particularly those facing severe mental health challenges or experiencing homelessness, have historically struggled to persist. This new partnership is designed to address these barriers directly.
“We have discovered a significant number of students facing housing instability,” Guru Dorje, Director of CECO at Shoreline explained. “Our goal is to ensure these students not only achieve their educational credentials but as one of the benefits of this they are able to secure permanent housing, breaking the cycle of homelessness.”
Addressing Critical Needs Through Housing and Support
This new initiative was originally slated to start in Summer Quarter 2024 but began ahead of schedule due to urgent student needs. The program aims to house students on campus for eight quarters, integrating housing with comprehensive educational and employment support. Currently, four students are benefiting from this program, with plans to expand to twelve students by Spring 2025.
The program is rooted in the belief that “stable housing, coupled with a dedicated case manager who supports both educational and employment goals, is crucial for student success,” said Dorje. “Other programs typically separate housing and educational support, but our approach integrates them, providing a holistic support system.”
The program’s early results are promising. All three students currently enrolled in the pilot are on track to earn their high school equivalency diplomas and seamlessly transition to post-secondary education.
“Our ultimate aim is to see these students complete their education, transfer if appropriate, secure stable employment, and maintain permanent housing, said Dr. Jack Kahn, President of Shoreline Community College. “Our hope is to see positive outcomes with our initial students and expand this program and work with others to do the same”
Looking Ahead
Partnering with King County Housing programs, and the Shoreline Community College Foundation the initiative provides students experiencing homelessness who are enrolled in the CECO program with stable on-campus housing, integrated directly with academic and employment support services. Initial 2-year grant funding for the program is being provided by King County and generous donors who give through the Shoreline Community College Foundation. Long-term funding to ensure the program’s continued success and expansion is needed. Donors and funders interested in learning more can reach out to the Shoreline Community College Foundation (sccfoundation@shoreline.edu).
This initiative is the first of its kind, combining housing with educational and employment support to a single point of contact in a community college setting. The insights gained from this pilot will inform future strategies to address homelessness among students, with the hope of expanding similar programs across other community and technical colleges.
