Faculty
Diversity and Global Studies Faculty
| Name | Office Location | Phone / E-Mail |
|---|---|---|
Part Time Faculty |
(206) 592-4503 schakour@highline.edu |
|
Faculty |
Building 29, Room 245 | (206) 592-3087 cdawson@highline.edu |
Faculty |
Building 0, Room D102 | (206) 592-4394 rhillman@highline.edu |
Faculty |
Building 4, Room 110 | (206) 592-4405 tmatsumotomaxfield@highline.edu |
Faculty |
Building 29, Room 251 | (206) 592-3405 pmcdonald@highline.edu |
Faculty |
Building 0, Room D102 | (206) 592-3867 sojedaponce@highline.edu |
Faculty |
Building 0, Room E101 | (206) 592-3090 aottinger@highline.edu |
Faculty |
Building 29, Room 239 | (206) 592-3464 lromero@highline.edu |
Faculty |
Building 26, Room 322 | (206) 592-3953 jtaillon@highline.edu |
Faculty |
Building 29, Room 234 | (206) 592-4168 mweir@highline.edu |
Learn more about our faculty
I'm a hapa-yonsei-Japanese American from Gardena, California. I've been teaching college
courses for over 20 years now--at Iowa State University, UW, and now Highline. At
Highline, I teach English& 101, English& 102, and English 200. I'm also the coordinator
for the DGS Department.
I love to write poetry, and I also review books for the International Examiner. And
if you want to talk Sounders, Fulham FC, or Premier League soccer, let me know!

Ché Dawson began teaching in the Legal Studies Department at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ College in the Fall of 2003. He has taught a variety of the required legal courses including Introduction to Law, Civil Procedures, Legal Research and Writing, and Ethics.
Che' began teaching courses cross listed with the Diversity and Globalism Department in the Spring of 2005. The first course he developed was Immigration Law and The Rights of Non-citizens, a subject consistent with Che's area of legal practice. Che' has developed courses in Sports Law and Constitutional Law, and teaches Criminal Law and Procedure, Criminal Justice and Juvenile Justice.
Che' came to Highline after practicing law in a variety of areas of civil law and immigration with Karr Tuttle Campbell, a downtown Seattle Law firm. Che' maintains a Senior Attorney role with Ogden Murphy Wallace.
Che' also coaches the Highline College Men's Basketball team.

I read obsessively and listen to current events, books, podcasts, long articles and short; all of it! I am a sponge who gleefully soaks up knowledge and I have the privilege to ring myself out through teaching and sharing what I've learned so that I can soak up even more. I believe that a quality education will stretch your mind in ways that make you reassess who you are, where you're from, what you carry from your past, what you're ready to let go of, and who you are ready to become. Education helped me become the best version of myself; that's my hope for you too. I really love learning.

Meeting one-on-one or in small groups is one of my favorite ways to work with students and colleagues. Any current or former student, advisee, or colleague is welcome to join me during drop-in hours, which are times you can just stop by without an appointment. Alternatively, you can use the Book Appointments tab to select an available appointment time from my schedule. Hablo Español.

Dr. Justin Taillon spent 8 years in hospitality operations before transitioning to academia. He began his career with Starwood and advanced to an Assistant General Manager role with Hilton. He later earned an MBA from the University of Guelph and a PhD from Texas A&M University. Justin maintains both academic and applied focus through his roles as Associate Editor for Anatolia and Global President of HFTP. He actively collaborates with industry partners through grants and projects with organizations such as Starbucks, the Food Innovation Network, the Port of Seattle (SeaTac Airport), and the U.S. Department of State. His work emphasizes the role of DMOs and professional associations in improving communities. His research focuses on market-based socio-cultural conservation and negotiation theory, with projects spanning South Korea, Peru, Costa Rica, Canada, the USA, Ireland, Brazil, Bolivia, Kenya, Qatar, the UAE, Turks & Caicos, Montenegro, and beyond.

I have worked at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ College since 2019. I enjoy teaching here because of the diversity of the students and the quality and kindness of other faculty and staff. I believe that education can lead to personal transformation, strong communities, and a more just and equitable Criminal Justice system.
At Highline, I am the coordinator of the Criminal Justice Department. In my role as coordinator, I manage the department, advise students, support faculty and teach.
Before I started working at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ, I lived in Denmark for two years on a Fulbright scholarship to study Danish open prisons. While I was there I received a Master's in Education and conducted fieldwork in the women's unit of a mixed-gender open prison. Prior to that, I worked for a nonprofit that offers a college in prison program at the Washington Corrections Center for Women.
I enjoy cycling, hiking, and playing outside with my young son.

