All the hard work paid off for Highline College graduates as they celebrated their accomplishments at Commencement on June 18.
More than 830 grads, the highest number on record, participated in this year’s ceremony, which was held at ShoWare Center in Kent.
The Class of 2026 was welcomed by Dr. Jamilyn Penn, interim president; and Sharmila Swenson, chair of the Board of Trustees. Jasmine Nyabigo, president of the Associated Students of Highline College, was master of ceremonies. Nyabigo graduated with an associate's degree in computer science.
For the 2025-26 academic year, 1,503 students applied to graduate.
As is typical of other colleges and universities, students at Highline apply to graduate before all coursework has been completed. The college expects to award the following credentials for the 2025-26 academic year.
Bachelor's degree graduates celebrate after crossing the stage at 2026 Commencement.
Here are a few facts:
- 1,696: total number of credentials (degrees, certificates, and diplomas)
- 990: two-year degrees, including 591 associate of arts degrees, 50 associate of science, 292 associate of professional-technical and 16 associate of applied science degrees
- 94: applied bachelor’s degrees
- 341: certificates
- 76: high school diplomas
- 23: GEDs
The 2026 graduating class reflects the diversity of the college campus.
- 16: age of youngest graduate
- 75: age of oldest graduate
- 30: veterans who used VA education benefits while attending college
- 81: number of immigrants
- 18: number of refugees
- 106: number of international students, representing 28 countries
- 64%: students of color (of the 1,323 students reporting their race/ethnicity)
Student Speaker
One key component of Commencement each year is choosing a student speaker. This year, Isabel Lash was awarded the honor out of many applicants. Isabel graduated with an Associate of Arts in Global Studies. During her time on campus, she served as a Clubs Consultant for the 2025–2026 academic year and the vice president of both the R.I.P.P.L.E. Club and the Fashion Alliance Club.
Lash advised graduates not to underestimate the power of their ideas. She described how, at the student legislative breakfast last fall, she spoke on the topic of college students riding public transit for free, and how a group of legislators and transit officials are now working on this effort.
Highest Scholastic Achievement Award
At this time, 145 students graduated with honors, GPAs of 3.5 and above and 10 of those had a perfect 4.0 GPA, qualifying them as Highest Scholastic Achievement scholars. The Highest Scholastic Achievement Award is presented each year to graduating students who have attained the highest GPA and have completed all degree requirements. This year, those students were:
- Jennifer Alexander, Associate of Applied Science - Accounting
- Amanda Funaro, Associate of Applied Science - Small Business & Entrepreneurship
- Emily Wells, Associate of Applied Science - Registered Nurse
- Seth Richardson, Associate of Applied Science - Cybersecurity Operations
- Tr Andrew, Associate in Arts DTA
- Yodit Teweldemedhin, Associate in Pre-Nursing DTA/MRP
- Cornelio Gallardo, Associate in Arts DTA
- Thu Anh Do, Associate of Applied Science-Transfer - Interior Design
- Avril Loyko, Associate in Business DTA/MRP
- Jacob Hill, Associate in Business DTA/MRP
Shirley B. Gordon Award for Academic Excellence
Awarded annually by the Highline College Foundation, this award is based largely on academic achievement, but also considers the student’s community service activities and community college experience. Dr. Shirley B. Gordon was Highline’s president from 1976 to 1990. The award went to Violah Jelagat.
Student Legacy Awards
A number of students received recognition for high achievement (Legacy Scholar Awards) and contributions to campus programs, services and activities (Legacy Leader Awards). While some of these students are graduating this year, others will return.
Legacy Scholar Awards
- Christopher Talty, Mathematics
- David Tran, BSTEC
- Haddy Jammeh, Entry Advising
- Katrina Baker, ACHIEVE
- M. Massihullah Merzai, High School Engagement & Academic Success
- Nevaeh Yang, Running Start Club
- Nguyen Le, HOST
- Riley Hale, Running Start Department
- Russell Edwards, BSTEC
- Solomon Bang, Admissions
- Vy Duong, Music Club
- Zaki Rohan Karimi, Highline Science & Success Club
- Zulikha Farhat, Workforce Education Services
Legacy Leader Awards
- Abdulhamid Calasow, Highline Table Tennis Club
- Abigail Yonas, Cru
- Ai Van, Tarot Club
- Angel Castillo Romero, Physics Highline Association of Thinkers and Tinkerers
- Apollo Senteza, Campus View Student Housing
- Ariana Vlasyuk, Career & Transfer
- Arvin Kler, Writing Center
- CD Du, Running Start Club
- Christopher Gomez-Gomez, World Language Club
- Danveer Singh, Mathematics
- Eden Storey, Center for Cultural & Inclusive Excellence (CCIE)
- Ehitnesh Negusse, High School Engagement & Academic Success
- Ellis C. Darrow, Drama Club & S.W.O.R.D. Club
- Francesca Schmidt, Minecraft Club
- Giovanni Mora Zorrilla, Drama Club
- Gustavo Finney-Sanchez, Highline Table Tennis Club
- Htet Nandar, Center for Leadership & Service (CLS)
- Isabel Lash, Center for Leadership & Service (CLS)
- Isabelle Botzum, Music Club
- James Vlasenko, Math Resource Center
- Jasmine Nyabigo, Arcturus
- Joshua Gallegos, Writing Center
- Kebron Tsegar, Public Speaking Center
- Le Minh Thy Vu, Entry Advising
- LongLong "Justin" Jia, HOST
- Luis Eduardo Garcia Villanueva, English Department
- Ly Luong, Fashion Alliance Club
- Maram Bouhdache, Highline Science & Success Club
- Maya Navaratnasingam, Physics Highline Association of Thinkers and Tinkerers
- Nelly Argueta Cruz, Admissions
- Quynh Le, Center for Cultural & Inclusive Excellence (CCIE)
- Simone Guimaraes, Cru
- Tam Minh Pham, HOST
- Thy Nguyen, Public Speaking Center
- Vers Sauve, Academic Success Centers
- Vongseyvitou Chhit, Bookstore
- Yeabsira Etana, National Poetry Month Committee
- Zakaria Hussein, Running Start Department
Student Leaders of the Month
- May - Mavrie Durham
- April - Quynh Pham
- March - Nelly Argueta
- February - Zaki Rohan Karimi
- January - Ellis Darrow
- November - Claire Du
- October - Zulikha Farhat