Jamilyn Penn

Dr. Jamilyn Penn holds a doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from Northeastern University. Her instruction and leadership experience, spans both K -12 and higher education sectors. In 2023, Dr. Penn became Vice President of Student Services at the Highline College, Des Moines, WA. Reporting directly to the President and serving on Executive Cabinet, Dr. Penn provides strategic leadership to ensure the College offers a comprehensive array of student services, student development programs, and enrollment management initiatives. Her responsibilities encompass a broad spectrum of departments, including, but not limited to, registration and records, financial aid, advising, counseling, student life, residential life, Workforce programs, international programs, athletics, and workforce development.

As Vice President, Dr. Penn recommends, develops, and implements policies and procedures that foster student learning and success, aligning with the educational programs of the College. She actively seeks opportunities to establish partnerships with public and private entities and spearheads the development of multi-year tactical and annual operational goals in line with the strategic objectives of the President and the Board.

Drawing on her previous experience as the Director of Transfer Education at the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) in Olympia, WA; Dean of Workforce Programs and Health Sciences Programs at Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood, WA; and Dean of Health Sciences at Lake Washington Institute of Technology in Kirkland, WA, Dr. Penn has a wealth of knowledge about and experience with instructional pedagogy an leadership, student services leadership, and higher education administration leadership.

Dr. Penn's commitment to equity-focused initiatives is evident. She is a Change Facilitator for Guided Pathways. She works strategically to close opportunity gaps for low-income, BIPOC, and other historically marginalized student populations. Dr. Penn is a graduate of the Social Justice Leadership Institute (SJLI). Additionally, she serves on the Washington State Student Services Commission (WSSSC), where she is the Commission liaison to the Multicultural Student Services Directors Council (MSSDC).

Dr. Penn is immersed in community service. She is on the Pierce County Library System (PCLS) Board in Washington State. Dr. Penn is also a member of Washington State’s Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) Board. In 2023, Dr. Penn participated in the fellowship cohort of the Lakin Institute for Mentored Leadership, which is sponsored by the President’s Round Table of African American CEOs of Community Colleges.