Emily
Lardner

Dr. Emily Lardner serves as vice president for academic affairs at Highline College. With about 80% students of color and people representing more than 120 cultures, Highline is Washington State’s most diverse higher education institution. Her leadership style reflects her commitment to equity and inclusion, shared inquiry, and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

Starting in 2019, Dr. Lardner has helped Highline use the guided pathways framework as a catalyst for institutional transformation focused on supporting diverse learners, increasing completions, and closing equity gaps. For the past two years, she has focused on partnering with colleagues inside and outside the college to create pathways to social and economic mobility for Highline’s students.

Prior to becoming a community college administrator, Dr. Lardner served as director for the Washington Center for Improving Undergraduate Education, based at The Evergreen State College. There, Dr. Lardner consulted widely, working with over 150 two- and four-year campuses to help faculty and staff implement strategies aimed at reducing equity gaps and improving student success. She began her career teaching writing and working in a writing center. Listening to students describe their experiences catalyzed her dedication to making colleges work better for all students.