Kathi H. Hiyane-Brown, Ed.D., became the fourth president of Whatcom Community College (WCC) in 2007. Dr. Hiyane-Brown leads this comprehensive community college that serves 11,000 annually, employs more than 400 employees, and operates with an annual state budget of approximately $35 million. She continues to expand vital community partnerships, inspire innovation and excellence throughout the College, and encourage a culture of inclusiveness.
Dr. Hiyane-Brown is a nationally recognized advocate for community colleges, organizational development, and leadership diversity. In addition to her duties as president of WCC, Kathi conducts training on leadership and diversity in venues locally, nationally and internationally. She is committed to supporting leadership development initiatives with underrepresented groups and is a mentor to many
aspiring leaders.
Dr. Hiyane-Brown currently serves as a founding and executive committee member of the National Asian Pacific Islander Council, an affiliate council of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and a member of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) Advisory Board. She has served in leadership roles in a number of national organizations including: the National Initiative for
Cybersecurity Education (NICE), the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and AACC’s Presidents Academy Executive Committee (PAEC); and the Commission on Diversity, Inclusion and Equity for the organization.
Dr. Hiyane-Brown is an active member of the Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges (WACTC), and the Northwest Workforce Council Board and the Rotary Club of Bellingham.
Dr. Hiyane-Brown was the President of Normandale Community College, Bloomington, MN, for four years before being appointed as President at Whatcom Community College. She also held administrative posts at Tacoma Community College, Tacoma, WA; Leeward Community College, Pearl City, HI; and Muscatine Community College, Muscatine, IA.
Born in Hawai‘i, Dr. Hiyane-Brown holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Grinnell College, a Master of Arts in Instructional Design and Technology from the University of Iowa, and a Doctor of Education in Community College Leadership from Oregon State University. Dr. Hiyane-Brown has been recognized as one of 2010’s Outstanding Women Educators by the Northwest Asian Weekly Foundation and received the 2002 Leadership Award from The Association. In recognition of her commitment to staff and program development, she received NCSPOD’s College President’s Award in 2012. She received the 2014 CEO of the Year Award from the Washington Trustees Association of Community and Technical Colleges.