Honors Scholar Program Student Success Stories

Student Success Story Community College, the great open door to higher education. No SAT score, woeful academic record, or lousy personal statement can keep you out. It is a place of second chances.

To this point, however, many of those second chances have been aimed toward academically struggling students, students struggling with speaking a new language, with updating out-dated skills, or with acquiring a knowledge base they missed in their K-12 education. The Highline Community College Honors Scholar Program, the first such program in the State of Washington, targets unusually capable students who are struggling, struggling with the lack of higher ed life experience, the lack of mentors, and the lack of money. The Highline Community College Honors Scholar Program targets students who can “play the game” competitively, just as soon as someone helps them to understand “the rules.”

2006-07

ANDREA

"When I first came to Highline Community College, ...I thought I knew exactly what I was doing. I thought I already knew how to “play the game,” so I never talked to a single teacher or adviser the first year I was there."

HCC & High School combined GPA 3.92
Gates Millenium Scholar

Undergraduate student at Whitman College
Combined major in Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology
Over $45,000 in scholarships & grants for 07-08 school year

Learn more about Andrea >

CHRISTINA

"I had just graduated from high school and I had little confidence in my ability as a student, and even less direction. "

3.89 GPA
Latina transfer student
Honors Scholar graduate
Transferring to University of Washington School of Nursing (ranked the top program in the country)
Learn more about Christina >

GRACE

"From Kenya, I came to the United States to further my education, which was a fulfillment of the dream I had."

3.8 GPA
Transfer student from Kenya
Honors Scholar graduate
Transferring to Pacific Lutheran School of Nursing
Learn more about Grace >

RAMSEY

"Attending Highline Community College opened my eyes to my potential and gave me the opportunity to learn from peoples from many different backgrounds."

Running Start Student
3.86 GPA
United States Military Academy at West Point
Learn more about Ramsey>

Anna

"I came to HCC as a Running Start student in the fall of ’05 and I look back and am amazed at how much I have grown. "

3.95 GPA
Running Start Student
Gates Millenium Scholar
Honors Scholar graduate
Transferring to University of Washington" Jackson School for International Studies
Learn more about Anna >

GARY

"I didn't have any intention of being an honors student. To me, the idea of Honors seemed hard and distant, but I also had no idea how beneficial and within my reach it really was."

Running Start Student
3.78 GPA
Major: Computer Engineering at University of Washington Tacoma
Washington NASA Space Grant Recipient
Learn more about Gary>

CHRISTOPHER

"Obtaining my GED and enrolling at Highline Community College were the beginning steps for me, and with my 16 year old son attending Highline by my side, I continued to break the mental barriers I had previously placed before me. "

Single father
All-Washington Academic Team Member
Major in Environmental Studies
Highline Community College GPA: 3.8
Transferring to the University of Washington - Tacoma
Over $13,500 in scholarships and aid
Learn more about Christopher>

ALICE

" I am still awed by the fact that I, once a high school skipper-slacker, am currently attending the number one nursing school in the nation! From that, I know that this was all possible because Highline and the Honors Program gave me a chance. "

3.8 GPA
Murphy Evans Nursing Scholarship

HCC Academic Achievement Scholarship

Transferring to University of Washington School of Nursing (ranked the top program in the country)
Learn more about Alice >

2005-06

KIM

"When I started Highline, I was desperate for a way out. High school was a bitter reminder that even though I had mastered the language, I did not understand the culture."

Running Start Student
Vietnamese immigrant
Honors Scholar, graduated with Highest Scholastic Achievement; HCC GPA: 3.99
Transferring to Whitman College
Major: English/American Literature
Gates Millennium Scholar; W.O. Douglas Scholar (Whitman College)
Learn more about Kim >

DEBBIE

"I did not drop my classes because school actually kept me focused onto something other than my problems. I also felt very responsible in the sense that I had to be a role model for my younger brother. I had encouraged him to go to school, so I must also. "

Running Start Student
Transferring to Seattle University
Major: Chemistry/ Pharmacy
Highline Community College GPA: 3.54
Gates Millennium Scholar
Learn more about Debbie >

ANN

"The first thing I will say about Honors 100 is this: TAKE IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! Seriously…the sooner you take it, the more prepared you will be when you transfer from Highline, or head out into the real world."

Returning Student
Transferring to Seattle University
Major: Ultrasound Technology
Highline Community College GPA: 3.7
Seattle University Transfer Scholarship
Learn more about Ann >

GAILE

"Honors program was, and still is, for students, US citizens and non-residents alike. For the first time, I felt like an international student actually had a fair chance at getting help."