Steven Simpkins, PhD-RN

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.

Faye Malingson, RN, BSN, MSN

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.

Maria Carpenter, MSN-RN

I am a graduate of Highline’s RN program and received my Master’s in Nursing from the University of Washington-Seattle. My nursing career has taken me to hospital and community mental health settings, and I teach psychosocial and psychiatric courses–both theory and clinical components. My area of passion is trans-cultural nursing–a fascinating and important field of nursing, as we care for an increasingly culturally diverse population.

I have been a nursing instructor at Highline since 2000, and welcome all our future nurses into this exciting, rewarding profession.

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.

Ronda Durano

I have been a Registered Nurse since 1992 after graduating from an Associate Degree Program in eastern Washington. I returned to school several years later for my Bachelor and Master degrees in Nursing Education and began teaching in an Associate Degree program 2011. Simulation has been a part of my teaching experience from the start. I came to Highline College in April 2019 as full time faculty. In January 2020, I began a new position as the Simulation Coordinator with the opening of the new simulation space at Highline College. I obtained my Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) certification in February 2020 and was recertified in February 2023. My role in the Highline College Nursing Program is part faculty, conducting classroom and/or lab instruction, and part development of simulated clinical experiences in alignment with the nursing program curriculum and outcomes.

Alixandra Lobaugh

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.

Cecelia Xing

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.