The idea of changing Shoreline Community College’s name has been around for years, but it wasn’t until late last year that the board brought the discussion back to the table. After months of meetings, community input, and careful consideration, the final decision was made at the board’s meeting on May 28: Shoreline Community College is now officially Shoreline College. But the board wasn’t the only group involved — this change came after meaningful participation from students, faculty, staff, and the wider community.
Covered by The Ebbtide in April, a survey was distributed to all students and employees via email, and it was also promoted on social media to invite broader participation. The survey ran from April 8 to April 24 and asked the community to weigh in on the proposed name change. A total of 1,208 responses were collected, with 68.36% in favor of changing the name to Shoreline College and 31.64% opposed.
“I would be surprised if they [board] went against the results… they’re very respectful of the fact that we are doing it in this democratic way,” President Jack Kahn said.
The Ebbtide followed this process from the beginning to the final decision. As reported in a previous article, many different factors were discussed — both by the board and the broader community. These conversations were held in different meetings and with the survey, ensuring that every opinion received careful attention.
So why is the change happening now? The answer is practical: with the construction of new buildings and the demolition of older ones, the college had already budgeted to update all signage across campus. That made this the perfect time to align everything — including the name. This also comes alongside the addition of a Bachelor’s Degree program, making it a fitting time to rebrand.
In addition, the buildings are being renamed after native flora, with the appreciated help of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, making the signage updates even more necessary. President Kahn expressed pride in being part of this community-focused action. “They’ve [Muckleshoot Indian Tribe] expressed how meaningful it has been to them as a community to be a part of this and to see their language on our buildings — and that makes me feel really proud.”
President Kahn also explained, “Having the name [Community] doesn’t mean you’re going to be dedicated to the community. The action element of it is the most important.”
Even without the word “community” in the title, the college plans to continue acting in community-centered ways — such as being a venue for the 2025 Seattle International Film Festival. At the same time, Shoreline College aims to globalize further by building partnerships with high schools around the world and attracting more international students.
One of the benefits of the name change, some believe, could be its potential to attract more international and bachelor’s degree-seeking students. While it’s unclear if the college is actively tracking this, it’s seen as a possible long-term benefit.
As for next steps, the change won’t happen overnight. The first phase will involve updating the college’s logo and online presence. Physical changes like signage and professional materials will follow, although no specific timeline has been announced yet. The transition will be gradual to help students, faculty, and staff adjust smoothly—and continue to feel like they belong.
President Kahn, known for his community-oriented leadership, understands both sides of the discussion. While he acknowledges the symbolic value of the word “community,” he believes the college’s actions speak louder than its name.
“There’s no changes in place for costs,” he said. “We’re very restricted by how much we’re even able to make changes with tuition.” The college will still provide all it can to support students, faculty, and the broader community. As he added, “The state makes it very rigid, and they really want us to keep the costs down, which we do too.”
The name may be changing, but Shoreline’s commitment to its students, staff, and community remains as strong as ever—and continues to shape what comes next.
