Tolu Taiwo (she/they)

TRiO Director

Office location: Building 6, Room 158

As the daughter of Nigerian immigrants and a Black queer feminist, Tolu believes in the power of community and liberatory approach to college access and student success. Tolu earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Illinois, and her Master’s in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Colorado State University. She is currently a doctoral candidate in the Higher Education program at Azusa Pacific University, and her dissertation focuses on Black womxn educators’ activism practices and the decolonization of higher education institutional spaces in South Africa. In her spare time, Tolu loves to read, watch all the things on Netflix, and cuddle with her Tuxedo cat, Tavia.

Contact Tolu at:
ttaiwo@highline.edu 
Phone: (206) 592-3898

Megan Mihara (she/her)

Advisor and Retention Specialist 

Office location: Building 6, Room 154

Megan is from the Pacific Northwest, having grown up on Bainbridge Island in a biracial family with a Japanese father and mother of Swedish and Norwegian descent. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University and embarked on a fulfilling career in higher education, serving in various roles such a BFET program Specialist and academic advisor at North Seattle College. Megan’s dedication lies in supporting students of all backgrounds and she eagerly looks forward to joining the Trio team at Highline College. Presently residing in Kent with her husband and their two-year-old son, Megan finds joy in her spare time through her passions for travel, arts and crafts, Pilates, and park outings with her little one.

Contact Megan at:
mmihara@highline.edu
Phone: (206) 592-4504

Blia Xiong (she/her)

Program Specialist

Office location: Building 6, Room 156

Blia was not a stranger to Highline when she came to TRiO. She was a former Program Assistant at the Academic Success Centers and a Highline Alumna. Like many TRiO students, Blia is a First Generation Student in her family. She was a youth mentor and volunteer in the Seattle Hmong community from 2010 – 2013. Blia is passionate about helping others to navigate their resources and build a connection. Most of all, she enjoys working closely with and supporting the students in TRiO, and learning new things. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her loved ones, listening to music, watching movies and TV shows on Netflix, and browsing on Pinterest to seek for her next creative project. Blia is a self-taught artist in sketching, acrylic painting, and recently in photography.

Favorite quote: “All of our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney

Contact Blia at:
bxiong@highline.edu
Phone: (206) 592-3229