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Staff & Students

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Staff & Students 2024-02-27T16:47:08+00:00

Staff & Students

The Center for Leadership & Service’s team of professional staff and student leaders are here to support you in getting connected on campus and growing as a leader. Stop by our office on the third floor of the Highline Student Union (Building 8) to get started!

Center for Leadership & Service Professional Staff

Juliette Kern (she/her)

Associate Dean of Student Life
Email: jkern@highline.edu
Phone: (206) 592-4391

Julliette was born in New Zealand but moved to the US when she was 12. She considers the PNW her home. She completed her BA in Psychology and her Master in Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Washington Tacoma. She joined Highline as the Associate Dean of Student Life in December 2022. Previously, she served as the director of student engagement and retention at Bates Technical College in Tacoma.

As the Associate Dean of Student Life she oversees CLS and CCIE, the Services and Activities Fee budget, and the Commencement Committee.

Juliette is a proud graduate of our CTC system, a competitive athlete and outdoor enthusiast who enjoys getting up in time to watch the sunrise, making people smile, and spending time with her husband and two dogs.

Fun Fact: Juliette races mountain bikes.
Languages Spoken: English (fluent)

Geomarc Panelo (he/him)

Director of Center for Leadership and Service
Email: gpanelo@highline.edu
Phone: (206) 592-3537

Mabuheeeey! Geomarc was born in the beautiful islands of the Philippines but moved to the US as a young child with his family. His intersecting identities and lived experiences inform his practice as a student affairs practitioner. Geomarc has an A.T.A. degree in Culinary Arts, but his involvement in student life as an undergraduate student has led him to take the path to the higher education field. He received his B.A. in American Ethnic Studies at the University of Washington. Geomarc joined the Highline College family in the spring of 2019 after finishing his service with Peace Corps Indonesia. He has served as the Mentorship Programs Leadership advisor in the Center for Cultural and Inclusive Excellence (CCIE) before stepping in as the Director of the Center for Leadership and Service (CLS). Community is an integral part of his work, and he always find ways to build meaningful relationships and collaboration with others!

In his free time, Geomarc loves to go on different adventures. He goes camping and hiking almost every weekend during the spring and summer months–his favorite campground? Cougar Rock inside Mount Rainier National Park. He enjoys meeting friends for plays (Hamilton karaoke anyone?), happy hour kiki, and playing volleyball religiously!

Fun Fact: Geomarc’s zodiac signs are moon-Virgo, sun-Virgo, and rising-Leo. Whatever those mean! 🙂
Languages Spoken: English (fluent), Tagalog (fluent), and Indonesian (fluent)

Tuan Dao (he/him)

Program Specialist
Email: tudao@highline.edu
Phone: (206) 592-3255

Tuan was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM. His family immigrated from Vietnam to escape the war and pursue the American Dream. Having an intricate upbringing prepared him for the role as a student affairs practitioner. Tuan earned his B.A. in Strategic Communication and a minor in Psychology at the University of New Mexico. He began his career journey in financial institutions and later transitioned to education. This ignited a passion and drive to support the new generation to succeed in their personal and professional life.

Tuan loves going on nature walks and collecting new species of plants for his collection. He is adventurous in trying new foods, enjoys cooking, photography, and anything related to crafting/creativity.

Fun Fact: I can form a human heart with my hand. Yes, it beats too!
Languages Spoken: English (fluent) & Vietnamese (fluent)

Sara Thomas (she/her)

Programming and Marketing Leadership Advisor
Email: sthomas@highline.edu
Phone: (206) 592-3256

Sara has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Boise State University and recently completed her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership & Policy with an emphasis in Student Affairs at the University of Utah. At Boise State, Sara worked as a Programming Assistant in the Student Leadership & Involvement Center where she helped plan and implement a variety of events for students, faculty, and staff to attend. More recently at the University of Utah, Sara was the Graduate Assistant for Student Organizations where she worked closely with the Student Organizations Coordinator to support just under 500 student clubs.

In her free time, Sara enjoys being outside doing just about anything (kayaking, hiking, skiing, etc.). She is also starting to read for fun again, loves watching every version of Below Deck that is currently out there, and is always happy to spend time with her family and friends.

Fun Fact: Sara’s comfort movie is A Cinderella Story (2004).
Languages Spoken: English (fluent)

Cassie Geraghty (she/her)

Clubs Program Leadership Advisor
Email: cgeraghty@highline.edu
Phone: (206) 592-3892

Cassie was born in Alaska, grew up in the foothills of Colorado and the suburbs of Philadelphia, and moved to Washington state–her forever home–in 2014. Her career trajectory has not been a direct one, but everything leading up to her role with Highline College enriches the work that she does now. From ages 2 to 22 she was training to become a professional ballet dancer, dancing with numerous ballet academies and companies and performing around the country. After her ballet career, she decided to go to college for Earth Science, earning her undergraduate degree in Geology, from Indiana University. It was during her time here, living and working at Collins Living-Learning Center (CLLC), that she dived head-first into student involvement, working with the Collins Board of Programmers, Arts Council, Collins Welcome Week, and Hogwarts Week Planning Committee. In 2014 Cassie moved to Washington for graduate school to begin work on her Master of Science in Geology, and then a few years later her Masters in Teaching–both at Washington State University. The very little time that she had available outside of coursework, research, and teaching, she spent leading several student-led clubs.  Most recently, working as a middle school teacher with Federal Way Public Schools, she helped co-advise a student-led GSA Club. 

From ballet to geology to teaching, Cassie has many interests and passions in life, and student involvement has been an awesome conduit for her to tunnel those passions into building community. As the Clubs Program Leadership Advisor at Highline College, Cassie wants to help students celebrate their identities, explore their interests and passions, and find their communities through the Highline College clubs program, with the Center for Leadership and Service.

Outside of work, Cassie’s favorite pastimes include hiking, camping, exploring weird/spooky locations, watching good tv and movies, and spending quality time with her partner, Max, and kitty cat daughter, Lydia.

Fun Fact: Halloween is her favorite holiday and takes it VERY seriously.
Languages Spoken: English (fluent) and Spanish (basic)

Jeffrey Kurnick (he/him)

International Engagement Leadership Advisor
Email: jkurnick@highline.edu
Phone: (206) 592-3918

Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago Jeff has been working with students since he was 16. From taking international students on ecological tours of Jacksonville’s Bay to hosting 200+ student debate tournaments in Zambia, he has always enjoyed creating innovative moments of growth for the students he works with. While working in Zambia he grew to appreciate the team of people in place that helped him adjust culturally and wanted to do similar work upon return home.

He attained his masters in International Education Management from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies where he practiced project management, assessment, and program design. He believes education is more than what one learns in the classroom and intentionally builds opportunities for experiential education.

As the International Engagement Leadership Advisor at Highline, he will work with the Global Student Ambassadors (GSA) to help cultivate a connected campus amongst all students.

Jeff enjoys cooking with his friends and family, listening to new music, watching his Chicago Sports teams, talking history, and anything outdoors.

Fun Fact: Jeff has had a radio show for 7 years.
Languages Spoken: English (fluent) and Mambwe (intermediate)

Associated Students of Highline College (Student Government)

We represent the voice of students and help with organizing action around issues that Highline students are passionate about. We are responsible for holding regular Associated Students of Highline College (ASHC) meetings and serving as liaisons to the Board of Trustees. Student Government consists of the President, Vice President, and Speaker of Caucus. Learn about the student government.

DeVoni Young(she/her)

ASHC President
dyoung@highline.edu

Degree/Major/Program: Hospitality & Tourism Management
Fun Fact: I am a three-time champion Latte Art winner, a Long Bow Archer, and a Pastry Chef – I specialized in chocolates

Clara Swart (she/her)

ASHC Vice President
cswart@highline.edu

Degree/Major/Program: AA with an Emphasis in Political Science
Fun Fact: I love animals, debate, and concerts!

Kimberly Wangari (she/her)

ASHC Speaker of the Caucus
kwangari@highline.edu

Degree/Major/Program: IT with an emphasis in Cybersecurity
Fun Fact: 

Clubs Consultants (CC)

Anything related to club activities, come to us for help. We can provide club support around scheduling club spaces to advice on facilitating meetings. View a list of clubs.

Hussein Al-Badri (he/him)

halbadri@highline.edu

Degree/Major/Program: Cyber Security
Fun Fact: I compose music.

Jade Vargas (she/her)

jvargas@highline.edu

Degree/Major/Program: Dental Hygiene
Fun Fact: I love the supernatural, the paranormal, and the occult! I also like pretty things, whether it’s in nature, material things, or physical appearances!

Anastasia Tarpan (she/her)

antarpan@highline.edu

Degree/Major/Program: Information Systems Project Coordinator
Fun Fact: I practiced dance for more than 10 years.

Community Budget Coordinator (CBC)

 

Milana Izetova (she/her)

Community Budget Consultant
mizetova@highline.edu

Degree/Major/Program: 
Fun Fact: 

Global Student Ambassadors

The Global Student Ambassadors (GSA) is a group of students who plan programs throughout the year to connect the global community on campus.

Barok Hailegiorgis (he/him)

bhailegiorgis@highline.edu

Degree/Major/Program: Supply Chain Management
Fun Fact: I’m a fan of soccer.

Linh Nguyen (she/her)

linguyen@highline.edu

Degree/Major/Program: Supply Chain Management
Fun Fact: I love kickboxing.

Muna Ali (she/her)

mali@highline.edu

Degree/Major/Program: General AA DTA
Fun Fact: I love the outdoors.

 

Marketing, Outreach, & Design Team (MOD Team)

We are the creative hub consisting of student designers who are responsible for providing promotional materials for students and student-funded programs. Examples of what we can provide include flyers, posters, banners, invitations, handbills, and many other exciting materials to help your program be successful. View the MOD team page to see if you’re eligible for these services.

 

Amy Lam (she/her)

Graphic Designer
amlam@highline.edu

Degree/Major/Program: Fine Arts
Fun Fact: I love Boba.