Navigator, Cultural Learning Communities

As a public institution of higher education serving a diverse community in a multicultural world and global economy, Highline College promotes student engagement, learning, and achievement, integrates diversity and globalism throughout the college, sustains relationships within its communities, and practices sustainability in human resources, operations, and teaching and learning.

The Promise Navigator will play a key role in supporting Highline's Promise Partnership and Cultural Learning Communities (CLC), with a strong focus on improving access, persistence, and completion for King County Promise students. This position provides holistic, culturally responsive case management support to students and their families, supports post-secondary education and career pathways, and actively engages in outreach, transition, and retention efforts aligned with the King County Promise framework.

This is an exempt salaried overtime eligible, grant-funded, full-time position. Anticipated start date is August 3, 2026. Funding is expected through June 30, 2027.

Reporting to the Director of Cultural Learning Communities (CLC), this position will:

• Provide culturally responsive academic, career, and college success advising for high school and first-year college students in the CLC programs, with a primary focus on Highline Promise Partnership students;
• Guide students in exploring academic and career pathways, including degree selection, course planning, transfer preparation, applied bachelor's programs, and workforce entry;
• Deliver holistic case management support, including tracking student progress, identifying barriers, and connecting students to appropriate resources to support retention and completion;
• Collaborate closely with high school staff, counselors, families, and community partners to support students' transition from high school to college, including active participation in high school visits, parent nights, college fairs, and related outreach events;
• Establish a visible and consistent presence at partner high schools to build trust and relationships with students, particularly seniors transitioning to post-secondary education;
• Develop and facilitate culturally relevant workshops and programming focused on college readiness, financial aid, financial wellness, leadership development, and transfer pathways;
• Support students with financial aid processes, scholarship applications, enrollment steps, and other key onboarding requirements;
• Track and monitor student attendance, engagement, academic progress, and key success indicators using program and institutional data systems;
• Support and implement student outreach strategies, including Summer Melt prevention efforts, onboarding campaigns, and retention-focused communications;
• Assist with student application review, intake, and screening processes for CLC and Promise programs;
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Student Services departments including but not limited to: Center for Leadership and Service, Center for Cultural Inclusiveness and Excellence, MESA, TRiO, and Advising;
• Establish strong connections between students and faculty advisors to support degree planning and academic success;
• Promote Cultural Learning Communities across campus by increasing awareness, communication, and internal referrals to CLC programs and services;
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to integrate learning community practices into campus-wide professional development and student success efforts;
• Co-develop and support transition programming and culturally relevant events for Native American/Alaskan Native, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx/Latine, and Pasifika/NHPI male/non-binary students within the King County Promise initiative;
• Foster a culture of collaboration, shared resources, and student-centered practice across all CLC programs;
• Maintain regular communication with students, families, faculty, staff, and administrators to support student success and program alignment.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Strong presentation and facilitation skills with the ability to engage diverse audiences, including students, families, faculty, and community partners in both large and small group settings;
• Ability to build authentic, trust-based relationships and effectively connect with students from diverse cultural, racial, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds;
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently, take initiative, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, student-centered environment;
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex systems such as financial aid, admissions, and academic pathways;
• Strong organizational and case management skills, including attention to detail in tracking student progress, engagement, and outcomes;
• Ability to design and facilitate engaging workshops, presentations, and student success programming;
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices in working with historically underserved student populations;
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including K-12 partners, faculty, student services, and community organizations;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and familiarity with student information systems and virtual engagement tools.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree, OR Three (3) years of experience working directly with students in education, community-based organizations, or youth development settings; AND

• Experience working with students from various backgrounds; AND
• Experience facilitating workshops and programming.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree;
• Experience in college preparation, student success programming, advising, or academic support services;
• Experience working in higher education, K-12 partnerships, or bridge programs;
• Experience supporting first-generation, low-income, and students of color in educational pathways.

Highline College prides itself on its commitment to diversity and equity, its institutional culture of collegiality and innovation, its globalization of curricula and its inclusion of the community in its programming. Founded in 1961, Highline College is situated in a diverse community just 15minutes south of Seattle. The college annually serves more than 16,500 students – a student population of over 70% students of color, representing 35 nations and more than 100 languages.