Executive Team Leadership Update: Wendy Coates

April 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment

Dear Campus Community,

I want to share that Wendy Coates, Associate Vice President of Development and Community Engagement and Executive Director of the Shoreline College Foundation, will be leaving the College at the end of April to pursue a new leadership opportunity.

Wendy’s impact on Shoreline has been both meaningful and far-reaching. She has approached her work here with a strong commitment to our students and a clear belief in the role the Foundation plays in supporting their success.

During her time here, Wendy built a collaborative, high-functioning Foundation team and strengthened systems that directly support students. She led efforts to improve and align our scholarship program with federal and donor expectations, while ensuring equitable evaluation methods. She and her team also revitalized alumni engagement through the launch of the Shoreline’s Alumni Network and a dedicated alumni steering committee.

Her leadership expanded how we support students and employees across the College. This includes launching FAFSA Cliff funding, strengthening emergency support through the Benefits Hub, expanding Faculty Excellence Awards, and partnering to provide additional funding for Innovation Grants. She also helped establish funding for HR initiatives focused on employee retention and staff satisfaction.

Wendy played a key role in strengthening the Foundation’s financial position during a critical period. Following the ransomware incident, she led efforts to rebuild records and restore fund balances, successfully negotiating a long-stalled agreement with the College, and guided the completion of three years of audits in just two years; all resulting in clean audits with no findings. She also put in place financial practices and reporting that will continue to support the Foundation’s stability and strategic growth.

Please join me in thanking Wendy for her contributions to Shoreline and for the work she has done to support our students, employees, and community.  We wish her the best of luck as she moves on to a new chapter.

We will share more information soon about interim leadership for the Foundation and next steps moving forward.

Cheers,

Jack

Jack S. Kahn, Ph.D.

President

Shoreline College

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Shoreline Community College Foundation Giving Table Luncheon Raises $100,000 to Support Students Facing Basic Needs Insecurity

November 19, 2025 by Leave a Comment
Governor Ferguson along with Shoreline students and staff.

Shoreline Community College serves students who are working hard to build stable lives, support their families, and move into living-wage careers. However, too many face barriers like the rising costs of food, housing, transportation, and healthcare, that threaten their ability to stay in school and complete their goals.

These challenges make it difficult for students to focus on their studies. The Giving Table Luncheon exists because community support like yours can make the difference between a student dropping out prematurely, or completing a degree that leads to a secure, living-wage job. Donor generosity provides emergency aid, basic needs support, and scholarships that allow students to stay enrolled, focused and in a position to succeed.

About the Event

On November 7, 2025, the Shoreline Community College Foundation welcomed 296 guests to its annual Giving Table Luncheon, raising $100,000 to support students in need. The event was made possible by 20 dedicated volunteers and 28 generous individual and corporate sponsors.

Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson joined the program and spoke about the essential role community colleges play across Washington and the importance of supporting students who face significant financial barriers. Additional speakers included Shoreline Community College President Jack Kahn, Transitional Studies Interim Dean Jessica Strickland, Honors College Director Michael Overa, and Foundation Executive Director Wendy J. Coates.

However, the most powerful moments at the event came from students. Lily Taylor, who came to Shoreline at age 27 to complete her GED, shared how donor support helped her stabilize her basic needs, enroll in the Honors College, and thrive in a program she once thought was out of reach.

Five other students also offered brief reflections describing how donor-funded support allowed them to stay enrolled allowing them to continue working toward their goals.

The luncheon opened with Shoreline’s land acknowledgement and closed with a traditional song gifted by Muckleshoot tribal member Justice Bill, offered in the spirit of community and cultural respect.

For More Information

For more information about how to support Shoreline students and help remove financial barriers to their success, contact the Shoreline Community College Foundation at https://www.shoreline.edu/foundation/default.aspx

Governor Ferguson on stage addressing the audience.
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The Giving Table Luncheon

November 4, 2025 by Leave a Comment
Photo of several hands joined together.

There’s still time to register for our annual Giving Table Luncheon Fundraiser!

  • DATE: 11/7/2025
  • TIME: 11:30am – 1:00pm
  • PLACE: 9000 Building, Main Dining Room

When you attend the Giving Table, you have an opportunity to support critical programs at Shoreline College that help people finish high school, improve their English, and move into fulfilling and well-paying careers.

When you make a gift, you help students pursue their dreams of a better life for themselves and their children.

While there is no charge to attend this event, guests will be asked to consider donating an amount that is personally meaningful.

Click here to RSVP.

For information on how to become a Giving Table sponsor, please visit our Sponsorship Opportunities page or contact us at 206-546-4755, sccfoundation@shoreline.edu.

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The Giving Table Luncheon

July 31, 2025 by Leave a Comment
Photo of several hands joined together.

Join us at our annual Giving Table Luncheon Fundraiser!

  • DATE: 11/7/2025
  • TIME: 11:30am – 1:00pm
  • PLACE: 9000 Building, Main Dining Room

When you attend the Giving Table, you have an opportunity to support critical programs at Shoreline College that help people finish high school, improve their English, and move into fulfilling and well-paying careers.

When you make a gift, you help students pursue their dreams of a better life for themselves and their children.

While there is no charge to attend this event, guests will be asked to consider donating an amount that is personally meaningful.

Please RSVP before October 25, 2025.

For information on how to become a Giving Table sponsor, please visit our Sponsorship Opportunities page or contact us at 206-546-4755, sccfoundation@shoreline.edu.

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Donors & Scholars Celebration

July 24, 2025 by Leave a Comment
Two women at a table, smiling.

Join us for a special evening celebrating our 2025-2026 scholarship recipients and honoring you, our generous donors, whose support drives academic equity, excellence, and opportunity.

Enjoy a delicious dinner, hear heartfelt stories, and take part in an uplifting evening of connection, celebration, and appreciation.

  • WHEN: 9/25/2025, 5pm – 7pm.
  • WHERE: Pagoda Union Building (9000), Main Dining Room
  • COST: This event is by invitation only. Free for scholarship recipients and donors. Additional guest tickets are available for $50 each.

For more information, please contact sccfoundation@shoreline.edu.

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