At the May 2025 Board meeting, the Shoreline Community College Board of Trustees voted to officially change the institution’s name to Shoreline College, a strategic change that reflects the College’s growth, while reaffirming its deep commitment to student success, equity, and community engagement. This decision came after a community-wide survey was conducted asking participants to vote on whether the college’s name should change or not. 

“It was exciting to watch the process unfold. I had no idea how the poll results would turn out, so it was great to see a strong majority across all groups supporting the same outcome. This name change is a great opportunity for us to strengthen our identity,” said President Jack Kahn. 

The shift to Shoreline College underscores the institution’s long-standing priorities: making education accessible, valuing student voice, and ensuring equity across programs and services. It also reflects a forward-looking vision that recognizes and celebrates the diversity of student experience as essential to academic and community success. A simplified name like Shoreline College supports clearer recognition, particularly for international audiences and new student populations. 

The name change comes as the College continues to expand its academic offerings, workforce training programs, and global reach. The change aligns with a growing trend among two-year institutions nationwide to adopt simpler, more inclusive names that reflect diverse pathways to student success, including transfer degrees, professional certificates, and applied bachelor’s degrees.  Last year the College announced it had received approval to offer its first bachelor’s degree, a Bachelor of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene. 

A new logo and visual identity are currently in development, and the College will invite students, alumni, employees, and community members to participate in the selection process this fall. The full brand launch, including the updated logo and campus signage, is planned for the first half of 2026. 

In the meantime, the College will begin introducing the name Shoreline College in select communications, particularly those focused on international outreach, while continuing to use Shoreline Community College in broader public-facing materials during the transition. 

President Kahn shared, “I think the most challenging part of making this recommendation to the board was the concern that removing the word ‘community’ might suggest a reduced focus on community itself. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Our mission, board, and broader community remain deeply committed to proactive, action-oriented engagement. Community will always be at the heart of everything we do.” 

As you may know, our Board of Trustees recently approved a name change from Shoreline Community College to Shoreline College. We’re excited about this evolution and want to share some details on how and when the name change will occur. Below is a high-level roadmap for how we’ll roll out the name change and new brand identity. 

Phase 1: Now-Start of the Summer Quarter 2025

Goal: Provide clarity, get ahead of rumors, and start using the new name strategically.

• We will begin the process of changing our name administratively (e.g. paperwork for taxes, etc.) and that may take some time. 
• We’ll begin using Shoreline College in select, targeted ways, particularly in international outreach, swag etc., where clarity and recruitment are key. 
• Materials may include a note like: “Formerly Shoreline Community College” for continuity. 
• We will not be releasing a temporary logo or any kind of updated branding during this phase. 
• A blog post/announcement will go live the week of June 9th to reinforce the message publicly. 
• We’ll continue to use our current logo and name across most materials until the full launch. 

Internal communication is key: You’ll be our ambassadors in helping answer questions and avoid confusion. Thank you in advance for your help! 

Phase 2: Summer–Fall 2025

Goal: Engage our community in logo design

• We’ll begin developing new logo concepts this summer. 
• Just like we did for the 60th Anniversary mark, early logo concepts will be reviewed internally, then shared publicly for a college-wide vote in early fall. 
• Depending on the feedback, we may run a second round of voting. 
• We’ll launch a “What’s Next for Shoreline College?” landing page with:
  • A timeline of the transition 
  • FAQs 
  • A placeholder for the logo reveal 

Phase 3: Early 2026 – June 2027

Goal: Full brand launch

• We’ll officially unveil the new logo and visual identity in early 2026. 
• Beginning in the first half of 2026, we’ll update signage, digital assets, email signatures, printed materials, social media, and more. 
• All use of the old name and logo will be phased out by June 30, 2027. 
• This will give us time to cycle through any remaining swag, stationary etc. and to transition our marketing materials  

A list of quick FAQs is below.  Please keep in mind that this plan is a work in progress and remains flexible.  As we move through the steps, we may find that some things take longer than others, so we appreciate your patience. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. 

Quick FAQ for Faculty, Staff, and Students

Why are we using the new name before the new logo is ready?
We’re being strategic about where we use the name early (like in international marketing- we think the name change will be helpful in recruiting new students abroad) while keeping the current logo in place until we roll out a complete brand package in 2026. 

Are we designing a new logo?
Yes! Logo development will take place this summer, and the top options will be shared for community voting in early fall after classes begin. 

How can I get involved?
Watch for opportunities this fall to vote on logo options and provide input. We’ll also post updates on a new landing page later this summer. 

When will the new logo be official?
The full launch is planned for the first half of 2026. We’ll begin using it in stages, with all materials updated by June 2027.  It will take time to make all of the necessary updates. 

Can I still use the old name or logo?
Yes, for now. Please continue to use Shoreline Community College branding unless you’re working on a project where Shoreline College has been approved for strategic use (e.g., international outreach). We’ll provide clear guidance as the transition unfolds. 

What if I get questions from students or the public?
Let them know the name has officially changed, the new logo is coming in 2026, and all services, programs, and commitments remain the same.