Shoreline Community College has been awarded a $697,300 grant through the Supporting Student Veterans and Their Families initiative, funded by the King County Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy. In partnership with the nonprofit Operation Military Family, Shoreline will launch the Veteran Success Through Education program, a two-year pilot effort to provide holistic support for veterans and their families, particularly those from marginalized communities.
The grant, which spans from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, will support culturally responsive case management, academic and financial assistance, and comprehensive wraparound services for eligible students.
“This is an opportunity to serve veterans who may be navigating the complexities of higher education without access to, or who have exceeded traditional VA benefits,” said Derek Levy, Dean of Student Support & Success at Shoreline. “We’re excited to expand the services and supports we can offer to our veteran student community, both current and prospective, providing access and wraparound support in collaboration with Operation Military Family through the support of the King County Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy.”
The Veteran Success Through Education program will focus on serving veterans from underrepresented communities, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, formerly incarcerated veterans, and those who have exhausted or are not eligible for VA benefits. Operation Military Family will provide individualized case management, both remotely and on campus, and help connect Shoreline with veterans in need through an established network across the region.
Funding from the grant will enable Shoreline to assist with tuition, incidental expenses, and housing assistance for eligible students based on need. Participants will also have full access to Shoreline’s robust student support services, including dedicated Veterans services and academic advising.
“Through the Veteran Success Through Education program, we are honored to support those who have served our country, especially veterans from historically underserved communities, by providing the resources, guidance, and community they need to thrive in their academic and personal journeys,” said Ryan Aiello, Shoreline’s Vice President of Student Affairs.
The grant builds on Shoreline’s growing efforts to provide inclusive, equitable access to education and serves as a bridge for those who may be seeking a new path after military service.
Joshua Salois, Program Specialist II who works primarily with Shoreline’s Veterans population, had this to say about the grant. “I’m excited for us to have the opportunity to support even more student Veterans and family members; especially folks coming from marginalized and often vulnerable populations. Even something seemingly small, like getting a professional certificate, can be so empowering and transformative, so for our program to have more ability to give that chance to those who may not have otherwise had it is just really amazing.”
As a pilot program, Veteran Success Through Education will run through June 2027 with the potential to inform and expand future support for veteran students across King County.
Shoreline Community College is pleased to welcome Tsai-En Cheng as the new Dean of Career and Technical Education (CTE) in STEM, bringing over 20 years of leadership experience in higher education, workforce development, and cross-sector partnerships. Tsai-En is known for her student-centered, equity-driven approach and her ability to build meaningful collaborations between education, industry, and community. She will begin her new role at Shoreline on September 1, 2025.
Most recently, Dean Cheng served as Dean of Branch Locations for Academic and Program Development and Interim Dean of Instruction for the Technology Division at Green River College, where she led a broad portfolio of credit and non-credit programs across multiple campuses, including three branch locations, Corporate and Community Continuing Education, the Washington Environmental Training Center (WETRC), and the Small Business Center. Her leadership helped grow industry-aligned programs in areas such as cybersecurity, aviation, software development, manufacturing, natural resources, and nursing, often in direct response to regional workforce needs.
A first-generation college student and adult immigrant, Cheng draws from her own educational journey to champion access and innovation. She has led efforts to bridge English language learners into technical careers, developed teacher training programs in aerospace education in partnership with the University of Washington and the City of Kent, and co-created a community-driven Automotive Pathway with the Auburn School District. She has also served as a Economic Development Council member for the city of Maple Valley, a longstanding board member of the Continuing Education Council, a newly elected vice chair of the Baccalaureate Leadership Council, an advisory board member to the Seattle Universal Math Museum, and board member for Auburn Symphony Orchestra.
“What excites me most about joining Shoreline is the opportunity to work alongside faculty, students, and community partners to strengthen the pathways between education and meaningful careers. CTE and STEM programs don’t just prepare students for jobs, they empower students to see what’s possible for their future. I’m honored to support that work.”
Dean Cheng’s background spans ESL instruction, film and media, business etiquette, curriculum design, and faculty development, and she has led teacher training programs both domestically and internationally. She was also a key leader in Washington State’s Transparency in Learning and Teaching initiative and has over a decade of experience in program assessment and strategic planning.
Outside of work, Tsai-En enjoys walking in the woods and traveling with her family, attending symphony performances, volunteering for disaster relief efforts, and building tiny homes for community outreach projects.
We are pleased to announce that Shanon Ehmke Reedy has been selected as the permanent Dean of Communication Studies and Social Sciences at Shoreline Community College. Dean Ehmke Reedy brings more than 25 years of experience in higher education, having served in leadership and teaching roles at institutions including Black Hawk Community College, National Louis University, Roosevelt University, the University of Washington, and Bellevue College. Her background includes over a decade of teaching social science courses at Roosevelt University and, more recently, teaching MKTG 461, Marketing Research II in the Bachelor of Applied Science Digital Marketing program at Bellevue College.
In addition to her campus-level contributions, Ehmke Reedy has helped shape statewide initiatives through her work with the Dean’s Academy and as a founding member of the Baccalaureate Leadership Council. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Kansas and a Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Illinois State University.
Dean Ehmke Reedy is passionate about developing and supporting innovative educational programs that expand opportunities for students, including community college baccalaureate degrees and workforce-driven associate degrees and certificates. She is dedicated to advancing institutional marketing strategies that enhance outreach and engagement. Additionally, she focuses on creating inclusive programming tailored to the needs of adult learners, first-generation college students, and individuals from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, ensuring that every student has access to meaningful educational experiences.
“I am excited to step into the permanent role of Dean of Communication Studies and Social Sciences,” said Ehmke Reedy. “This division is filled with passionate, innovative, and dedicated individuals, and I cannot wait to continue collaborating with each of you. I am eager to listen to your ideas and work alongside you to shape the future of our division in a way that prioritizes student success.”
Outside of work, Shanon enjoys spending time with her family—skiing and snowboarding with her 16-year-old son Ethan, visiting her daughter Ella in Los Angeles, bowling with her husband Chris, and walking Ruby, their chocolate lab.
At the May 2025 Board meeting, the Shoreline Community College Board of Trustees voted to officially change the institution’s name to Shoreline College, a strategic change that reflects the College’s growth, while reaffirming its deep commitment to student success, equity, and community engagement. This decision came after a community-wide survey was conducted asking participants to vote on whether the college’s name should change or not.
“It was exciting to watch the process unfold. I had no idea how the poll results would turn out, so it was great to see a strong majority across all groups supporting the same outcome. This name change is a great opportunity for us to strengthen our identity,” said President Jack Kahn.
The shift to Shoreline College underscores the institution’s long-standing priorities: making education accessible, valuing student voice, and ensuring equity across programs and services. It also reflects a forward-looking vision that recognizes and celebrates the diversity of student experience as essential to academic and community success. A simplified name like Shoreline College supports clearer recognition, particularly for international audiences and new student populations.
The name change comes as the College continues to expand its academic offerings, workforce training programs, and global reach. The change aligns with a growing trend among two-year institutions nationwide to adopt simpler, more inclusive names that reflect diverse pathways to student success, including transfer degrees, professional certificates, and applied bachelor’s degrees. Last year the College announced it had received approval to offer its first bachelor’s degree, a Bachelor of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene.
A new logo and visual identity are currently in development, and the College will invite students, alumni, employees, and community members to participate in the selection process this fall. The full brand launch, including the updated logo and campus signage, is planned for the first half of 2026.
In the meantime, the College will begin introducing the name Shoreline College in select communications, particularly those focused on international outreach, while continuing to use Shoreline Community College in broader public-facing materials during the transition.
President Kahn shared, “I think the most challenging part of making this recommendation to the board was the concern that removing the word ‘community’ might suggest a reduced focus on community itself. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Our mission, board, and broader community remain deeply committed to proactive, action-oriented engagement. Community will always be at the heart of everything we do.”
It’s that time of year again—time to celebrate the outstanding faculty who make Shoreline Community College a great place to learn and grow. We’re excited to announce the call for nominations for the Exceptional Faculty Awards!
Since 1998, the Shoreline Community College Foundation, with support from the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, has been honoring exceptional faculty members. This prestigious award recognizes dedication, expertise, and outstanding service in teaching, advising, counseling, and librarianship.
Who Can Nominate? Anyone! Whether you’re an administrator, alumni, classified employee, faculty member, Foundation Board member, student, or trustee, your voice matters. Faculty members can also nominate themselves.
Nomination Criteria*: Nominate an individual or a group of faculty members who have shown:
Exceptional dedication, knowledge, or achievement in their field
Outstanding teaching, advising, counseling, or librarianship skills
Superior service in their duties
*For more detailed information & criteria, please review the document below:
Let’s show our amazing faculty how much we appreciate their hard work and dedication. Get your nominations in and help us celebrate the exceptional educators who inspire us every day! ✨
Shoreline Community College has partnered with an organization called Vector Solutions to provide online training for our students and staff.
You may have received an email from them this week asking you to complete a short online course called “Sexual Assault Prevention for Community College.” All students are highly encouraged to complete this training.
The training provides important information to support the wellbeing of our campus community, and to help students maintain compliance with the college’s Student Conduct Policy, which expressly prohibits sexual harassment, intimidation, and violence.
If you received an email from Vector Solutions, please take a moment to review their message and complete the assigned training by June 30, 2025.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our Title IX and EEO Coordinator, Liam O’Connor, at loconnor@shoreline.edu.
Shoreline Community College is proud to officially introduce Dalila Paredes as the new Dean of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Transfer (STEM-T). She brings to this role over a decade of experience in STEM education, and more than eight years of higher education leadership.
Dean Paredes holds an M.S. in Chemistry, a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from West Texas A&M University, and an A.S. from Seward County Community College. She centers her work on creating inclusive and equitable learning environments, drawing strength from her intersecting identities and lived experiences, including overcoming gun violence and food and housing insecurity. These experiences fuel her passion for educational access and success for all students, especially those from marginalized communities.
When asked about her feelings on stepping into the role, Paredes shared, “As a first-generation, queer, Mexican-Indigenous Latina leader in STEM, I carry the strength and wisdom of my ancestors and the dreams of future generations. It is my life’s mission to reflect the rich diversity of our communities and ensure that others have greater opportunities than I did in my journey. I’m honored to be part of King County’s growing STEM community and to serve as a thought partner in building innovative, equitable pathways to high-paying, family-wage careers, because representation matters, and equity is how we cultivate sustainable change.”
Prior to joining Shoreline, Paredes served as MESA Director (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement) at Clark College, where she expanded support systems for underserved STEM students, and built meaningful partnerships with faculty and community organizations. She has also served as a distinguished faculty member for biology and chemistry at Amarillo College, Clark College, and Lower Columbia College, where she developed and led culturally inclusive curricula across multiple STEM disciplines.
Since stepping into the interim Dean of STEM role at Shoreline in 2022, Paredes has led with vision, empathy, and accountability; supervising over 50 faculty and staff and supporting more than 850 full-time equivalent (FTE) STEM students, managing over $9 million in STEM budgets, and stewarding millions of dollars in NSF grant funding. Her strategic priorities include expanding interdisciplinary STEM programs, championing culturally inclusive curricula, and aligning academic offerings with workforce needs and innovation.
A committed practitioner of shared governance and decolonizing education, Paredes is dedicated to uplifting the voices of those most often unheard. Her leadership is grounded in transparency, collaboration, and a strong belief in the transformative power of education.
Outside of work, Dalila enjoys spending time with her family outdoors. She also shares her home with two dogs and a cat and channels her creativity through woodworking and leathercrafting.
You’re Invited—Celebrate 60 Years of Shoreline with Us!
We’re turning 60—and you’re invited to the party!
Join Shoreline Community College on Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 3:00–7:00 p.m. for a special 60th Anniversary Open House Celebration. It’s our way of saying thank you to the students, alumni, staff, faculty, and community members who’ve made Shoreline what it is today.
This free, family-friendly event will have something for everyone:
Live performances and films from students
Interactive demonstrations around campus
Drop-in pickleball and basketball recreation opportunities
Short, engaging mini lectures on a wide variety of topics led by our amazing faculty members
Opportunities to learn about different areas of the college, apply, and register for classes
Light refreshments as well as food for purchase from local food trucks
Raffle prizes, giveaways, and more!
Founded in 1964, Shoreline Community College has served thousands of students from across the U.S. and more than 65 countries. With over 100 academic and professional/technical programs, the College continues to be a hub for inclusive learning and student success.
We’ll be celebrating six decades of learning and growing together—while looking ahead to an even brighter future. Whether you’re a longtime Shoreline supporter or are stepping onto campus for the first time, we invite you to reflect on our past, engage with our present, and be inspired for what’s next. Come celebrate with us!
RSVP by May 5th to let us know you’re coming—and bring a friend!
The spring quarter deadline to apply for graduation has been extended!
Because we want to be sure all graduates are able to get their graduation application submitted, we have extended the deadline through the end of the month.
The Updated Graduation Application Deadlines are:
Spring Quarter: May 1, 2025.
Summer Quarter (for students who DO want to walk in the 6/20 Commencement Ceremony): May 1, 2025.
Summer Quarter (for students who DO NOT want to walk in the 6/20 Commencement Ceremony): July 9, 2025.
If you expect to graduate at the end of either spring or summer quarter, please follow the steps to Appy for Graduation. This will ensure that your degree or certificate is posted to your transcript and your diploma is issued.
Graduates who want to take part in the Commencement Ceremony, please visit our Commencement Page where you can sign up to participate and order your cap & gown.
If you need help determining your graduation timeline, please contact your advisor in the Advising Center. International Students, please contact International Advising.
