Meet the Promise Staff
Joel Esqueda (He/Him/His)
Program Coordinator
Cohort Learning Communities
Bio: Joel Esqueda serves as the new Cohort Learning Communities Coordinator. He is a Highline alum and graduated from Western Washington University in the summer of 2022, holding a degree in Sociology and a Minor in Education and Social Justice from Fairhaven College. Joel is a first-generation college graduate and the son of two hardworking immigrant parents. Prior to joining Highline College, he worked in Whatcom County for Bellingham Public Schools as a Diversity Equity and Inclusion Coordinator Family Liaison. He also held the position of Lead Mentor and Coordinator at Compass2Campus.
Joel is pleased to return to Highline College and dedicate himself to serving the institution’s students. He understands the significance and transformative power of learning communities. As a Puentista, Joel was an active participant in the Puente program at Highline, which enabled him to build a supportive community, receive guidance, and access impactful education that fueled his pursuit of higher education. Highline College sets an exemplary standard for other institutions in the state, and Joel is deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to its mission and to continue his personal learning and growth journey while being a part of this community.
Phone: (206) 592-4205
Office: 25-608
Mailstop: 25-6
Email: jesqueda@highline.edu
Bookings: learningcommunities@highline.edu
Sudon DeSuze (He/Him/His)
Navigator
Highline College Promise Scholars Program
Bio: Sudon has been in education for over 10 years. Prior to joining Highline College he most recently was the GEAR UP coordinator within the Federal Way School District. Working with a diverse group of students from various backgrounds, upbringings, learning styles and ambitions. Sudon understands the challenges and barriers first generational college students and students of color in college face from his own experiences. Sudon played basketball in college, and that experience gives him a greater perspective when talking to students about time management, sacrifices and accountability while being a college student. Sudon has 3 daughters and a wife who he spends the majority of his free time with. Sports, learning, reading and being active are big pillars in his life. In his leisure time outside of driving his kids to their own sporting games and practices, he enjoys eating delicious food, listening to music and challenging others to think outside their comfort zone.
Phone: (206) 592-4189
Office: 25-613
Mailstop: 25-6
Email: sdesuze@highline.edu
Book an Appointment with Sudon
Keith Moore (He/Him/His)
Navigator
Highline College Promise Scholars Program
Bio: Keith E Moore has an extensive student affairs career journey where he has worked within the realms of Housing & Residence Life, Career Services, Student Activities, Greek Life, Outreach/Recruitment, Enrollment Services, Conduct, and Multicultural Services. Throughout his many opportunities, Keith has remained committed to working with diverse student populations to create and sustain spaces where students can be poured into on a variety of professional levels. Keith has served within great private and public institutions across the United States including Chicago State University, Paine College, Western Connecticut State University, Springfield College, and Cornish College of the Arts.
Keith has worked within the Washington State Community and Technical College system for five years as an Associate Registrar and Interim Executive Director for Student Advocacy and Cultural Support at Tacoma Community College (TCC). During his previous roles, Moore has become deeply invested with developing and implementing strategies to assist our Washington state students who are facing a variety of barriers resulting in significant impact on academic persistence. He has been successful at creating and sustaining partnerships with multiple partners; AmeriCorps, College Success Foundation, Metropolitan Development Center, Graduate Tacoma, and the Washington State Passport to Careers Foster Youth and Unhoused Youth Program.
Keith’s main objective focuses on increasing student involvement, retention, fostering success, expanding sense of belonging, and continuing exploring efforts of building “community” for historically excluded and/or under resourced student populations. Keith is an energetic ball of motivation, creativity, collaboration, and purpose who joins the Highline College community where his insatiable passion to learn and become a stronger advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion matters will manifest through his role of Cohort Learning Community Navigator as he supports both the Highline Promise and Umoja Learning communities respectfully. Moore is active within several state partnerships and currently sits as the co-chair of the Washington State Student of Color Conference that will take place in April 2024 at Green River College.
Phone: (206) 592-3961
Office: 25-616
Mailstop: 25-6
Email: kmoore@highline.edu
Book an Appointment with Keith
Krystal Welch (She/Her/Hers)
Director of Cohort Learning Communities & UMOJA
Transfer and Pre-College Education
Bio: Krystal has been in education for nearly 25 years. In every position she’s held, she has always served as the advisor of a student club or organization. Her current role focuses on supporting the curriculum and co-curricular activities for students of color is a dream come true. She is a mother of an only child who is currently attending college. In her leisure time, she enjoys listening to audiobooks, preparing delicious meals, and sharing her affection for favorite products as an online beauty influencer.
Phone: (206) 592-3148
Office: 25-612
Mailstop: 25-6
Email: kwelch@highline.edu
Book an Appointment with Krystal