Faculty

Steven Simpkins PhD-RN

Director of Nursing Program

I received both my BSN and my PhD in nursing from the University of Washington in Seattle. Having worked in both hospitals and in the community as a nurse, I have found that my passion lies in work within the community as I believe that is where nursing should truly be – promoting health and healthy living. Part of that work, for me at least, is teaching the next generations of nursing and that is why my path has led me to Highline. When I was taking my pre-requisite courses for nursing school here at Highline College, I saw – time and time again – the passion and dedication to excellence in education and realized that this was exactly where I wanted to be. I returned to Highline College in 2014 as an intern and the following year, began my tenure process. As of Fall 2018, I am stepping into the Highline Nursing Program director position and am very excited to be an intricate part of over 50 years of nursing education excellence here on our campus.

Marghee Baldridge

RN, MSN, Adjunct Faculty

Marghee Baldridge is a clinical faculty member at Highline College with more than 42 years of nursing experience. She earned her ADN from Bellevue Community College in 1984 and later completed both her BSN and Master of Nursing at the University of Washington, Tacoma. Marghee completed additional course work at Washington State University focusing on Nurse Educator Certification. Marghee’s extensive clinical background centers on emergency nursing, where she has served in a variety of roles across multiple emergency department settings. As an educator, she has taught CNA clinicals as well as medical–surgical and critical care clinical courses at all levels. Dedicated to creating an optimal clinical learning environment, Marghee recognizes the importance of individualized learning styles and approaches students holistically, understanding how their personal experiences shape their educational journey. She emphasizes patient advocacy and is passionate about helping students find their voice—both in clinical settings and within the profession of nursing. Outside of nursing education, Marghee enjoys gardening, spending time with her four grandchildren, and exploring creative projects. She is also the Executive Producer of an award-winning documentary, reflecting her commitment to storytelling and community impact beyond the clinical setting.

Lilian Baxter

RN, MSN, Tenure Track Faculty

Lilian Baxter began practicing as an RN in 2016 after receiving her B.A. in Psychology from Western Washington University in 2014. She received both her BSN and MSN-Ed from Western Governors University in 2021 and 2023. Her practice background includes long term care, neuro trauma rehab, urgent care/triage, primary care and outpatient surgery specializing in pain management. She began her transition into nursing education in 2023 working as an adjunct nursing instructor at Whatcom Community College in lab, lecture, clinical and simulation. She joined Highline as a tenure-track nursing professor in 2025 and is very excited to be a part of such a robust program with a highly engaged and enthusiastic team. 

Melanie Bowen

RN, BSN, Adjunct Faculty

My nursing career started as an LPN in the mother/baby unit at Overlake Hospital.  After obtained my RN degree, a year later, I changed specialties and went to the labor and delivery unit in 2011.  I obtained my Bachelor of Nursing from Olympic College and I am currently enrolled at Chamberlain University Masters Program for Nurse Educator program.  I currently work at Providence Everett Medical Center and Saint Anne Hospital in their OB units and their Triage Units.  I am a charge RN at St. Anne Hospital. Outside of nursing, I have 13 siblings, yes from the same parents and I have a husband of 24 years, 3 children (18, 16 and 8), and my oldest is starting her first year of college and UofW Bothell.  I love the salty air at the beachside, glamping, coffee, loose leaf teas, exploring new places, eating at tasty restaurants, and getting together with my siblings. 

Christine Couch

Christine Couch began her educational journey in rural Montana, receiving her Associate of Arts from Flathead Valley Community College in 2002. In 2005, she relocated to Cheney, Washington to pursue her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Washington State University. After graduating in 2008, she moved to Orting, Washington and accepted a position as the District Nurse/Health Services Coordinator for Enumclaw School District. During her time there she facilitated clinical instruction and precepted many nursing students, discovering her love of nurse education. She left Enumclaw to work for Green River Community College as nursing faculty in the practical nursing program in January of 2013 and began her graduate program at Seattle Pacific University. Life circumstances required she work closer to home, so she returned to school nursing in Fall 2014. Adjunct faculty to both Highline and Pierce Colleges kept her involved in her love of educating nurses while finishing her Master of Science in Nursing from Seattle Pacific in May 2016. In 2018, Christine joined the team at Highline full time as a tenure-track nursing professor and since that time, has been enthusiastically engaged in sharing her passion for the profession, supporting students, and assisting in the development of future nurses.

Julie Dorres

I began my nursing career in 1981 after graduating from Highline Community College with an Associates of Science in Nursing degree. I worked nights on Medical Floor at Riverton Hospital for the first year and after that worked in the Emergency Department. In 1996 I went back to Pacific Lutheran University and completed my BSN while working and raising my two daughters with my husband Bill. Riverton hospital eventually closed and was taken over by Highline Hospital where I have continued to work in the ED. Highline is now known as St. Anne, a VMFH Hospital and I have been there 45 years! Over the years in the ED, I have worked as an ED charge nurse, RN Residency coordinator, and preceptor to new hire RNs. In 2022, I joined the Adjunct Faculty at Highline as a Clinical Instructor for level 3 Med Surg at St Francis with a focus on growing new compassionate nurses to carry on the care giving that will be needed for our aging baby boomer population. In my off time, I like to plant in the garden, go bike riding and camping, and travel to new adventures with my husband and go off on occasional get-aways with my grown daughters.

Kathleen Driscoll

RN, MSN, Adjunct Faculty

Kathleen Driscoll grew up in Seattle and graduated from Garfield High School.  She received her BSN at the University of San Francisco and work for over a decade in various nursing positions at Harborview Medical Center and King County Public Health.  She later received her MSN in the Seattle University Family Nurse Practitioner program.  In addition to teaching at Highline, she works in correctional healthcare through King County Public Health.  She is passionate about providing excellent care to underserved patients and encouraging the next generation of nurses.  Highline nursing students continue to inspire her with their diversity, passion and knowledge they are preparing to bring into the nursing field. 

Mari Duat

RN, BSN, Adjunct Faculty

I'm a registered nurse with a passion for behavioral health and addiction recovery. My nursing mantra is "It's not necessarily what you say, but how you say it" I'm a firm believer in meeting patients where they're at in order to help their recovery. I graduated from Seattle University in 2020. Since then, I have worked in inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization and outpatient levels of care. These experiences have allowed me the privilege of following a patient's journey from mental health crisis to functioning baseline. I have worked mainly with adults but have also worked with child & adolescents as well. In my free time I love watching anime with my husband, trying new coffee spots and making time for my loved ones. During my time at Highline, I hope to show students how fulfilling behavioral health and addiction recovery could be!

Erika Link

Simulation Lab Technician 4

After nearly 20 years supporting patients through testing and transfusions at Bloodworks Northwest, I joined the Simulation Team here at Highline as the Simulation Operation Specialist. I'm excited to support students through hands-on learning in healthcare simulation and am excited to see what the future brings for this avenue of learning. When not at work, I can be found running, swimming, biking or bribing my three kids to cheer me on at the sidelines of whatever race I've signed up for, usually triathlon. 

RN, BSN, MSN, Tenured Faculty

Alix was born and raised in Northern California. After graduating with her BSN Dominican University, she began her nursing career in the PNW. Alix cared for one of the most vulnerable populations at the University of Washington Medical Center in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit before deciding to return to her passion of teaching. In 2018 she completed her MSN from Seattle Pacific University. Alix is excited to be a part of the nursing faculty at Highline Community College in establishing future nurses skills to impact the community. When Alix isn’t working with aspiring nurses, she’s enjoying her baby daughter, husband, and fur babies. She’s grown accustomed to PNW living: delighting in good coffee, the sound, sailing and driving around in her Subaru.

Faye Malingson

RN, BSN, MSN, Tenured Faculty

I have been with Highline College since September 2019. I am full time tenured lead faculty for level 5. My specialty is critical care with 20 years of direct patient care experience in the greater Seattle area. I am a graduate of Washington State University’s Bachelor of Nursing program, Class of 2002. I went on to further my education, completing my master’s degree in nursing leadership at University of Arizona, Tucson in 2019. I also serve as an advisor for Student Nurse Counsel. Collaborative partnerships between all members of the health care team and educational departments within the college is something I value and emphasize in the classroom & clinicals. These partnerships are holistic and essential to patient safety and improved patient outcomes. Seeing our nursing students making connections in their critical thinking is the most rewarding aspect of teaching for me as it has a lasting impact on health & wellness in our community.

Jenessa Pettit

RN, MSN, MBA (in progress), Lecturer

Jenessa Pettit is a nursing faculty member at Highline College and owner of Mighty Mugs Coffee. She was recently honored with Highline’s Distinguished Alumna Award and has a clinical background in medical-surgical nursing, COVID-19 emergency response, and adolescent psychiatric care. Drawing on her own experience as a neurodivergent learner, she is passionate about supporting students who face barriers in their education. Outside the classroom, she enjoys surfing, traveling, stained glass art, and time with friends.

Schubert, Beth

RN, BSN, Adjunct Faculty

Beth Schubert, BSN, RN, is an adjunct nursing professor with extensive clinical, leadership, and educational experience. She spent seven years as a critical care nurse with MultiCare Health System, including two years as a Tier III float pool nurse supporting units across the continuum of care—from the Family Birth Center to medical/surgical and step-down units. During her tenure, Beth served as Chair of the Clinical Practice Council, where she developed and led professional development initiatives such as Upping Your Game, mentoring volunteers through registered nurses to leverage educational opportunities and advance their careers. She also designed and implemented MultiCare’s first international nurse hiring and onboarding program, successfully bringing 62 nurses from the Philippines and Jamaica into practice. Her clinical background also includes work as an RN Hospice Intake Coordinator with Franciscan Health. For the past five years she has been a Nurse Entrepreneur and workflow software designer providing consultation, products, and services in safety and OSHA compliance for healthcare workers nationwide. Beth brings experience as a Clinical, Simulation, and Lab Adjunct Faculty member at Pierce College, where she earned her ADN in 2013. She completed her BSN through Western Governors University in 2018 and began her Master of Nursing in Education in 2022. A lifelong volunteer, Beth has served in the neuromuscular community since age 12 and is a cofounder of Camp Promise, a nationwide camp program supporting individuals with neuromuscular disorders, where she continues to volunteer as a camp nurse. She is passionate about mentoring future nurses, fostering inclusive learning environments, and supporting students through both clinical excellence and compassion. Beth met her amazing husband of 29 years at MDA camp in 1996, and they have two adult children together. 

Amy Wak

RN, BSN, Adjunct Faculty

Born and raised in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, I’ve spent over 20 years in healthcare working as a CNA, MA, LPN, and RN across a wide range of settings, including the ER, where I served throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. These experiences have shaped not only my clinical perspective but also my deep respect for the resilience and diversity of those entering the nursing profession. As a nurse educator, I believe in meeting students where they are and supporting their unique learning styles. I may come across as a little strict at first, but I promise I’m approachable, and I try not to take myself too seriously. My goal is to create a learning environment that’s both challenging and encouraging, where students feel seen, supported, and inspired. Outside of work, I’m a wife, mom, and proud volunteer with Camp Leo, a summer camp for children with Type 1 diabetes. Whether in the classroom or the community, I’m passionate about helping future nurses grow into confident, compassionate professionals.

Cecelia Xing

RN, BSN, MNP, Tenured Faculty

I have a lifelong passion for nursing and teaching. After graduating with my BSN from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2014, I went back to school in 2016 and earned my master’s degree as a women’s health nurse practitioner in 2021 from University of Nebraska Medical Center. I have worked as a registered nurse for 5 years in a variety of clinical settings. I am excited to be part of the nursing faculty at Highline College and the opportunity to give back to nursing and our community. Away from work, I enjoy traveling, hiking, and spending time with my family.