BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – State lawmakers are honoring the longtime leader of a local college ahead of her retirement.

The Washington State House of Representatives adopted a resolution in late January recognizing Whatcom Community College (WCC) President Dr. Kathi Hiyane-Brown for her service.

Hiyane-Brown is set to retire on March 1 following over 35 years in higher education, including 18 years as president of WCC.

Local representatives Joe Timmons and Alicia Rule introduced the resolution and noted the president’s impact on the larger education community. They highlighted her work in expanding the college’s curriculum to include cybersecurity, health professions, engineering and social work.

Under her tenure, WCC was designated by Washington state legislature as Washington’s Cybersecurity Center of Excellence.

The resolution comes as the college has announced three finalists to be Hiyane-Brown’s successor this spring.