Highline Community College Foundation, Des Moines, Washington

The Marine Science and Technology Center (MaST) Center at Highline Community College was created to promote understanding, appreciation, and preservation of the marine environment through hands-on research, education, and community activities that highlights the beauty, complexity, and importance of the South Puget Sound ecosystem. The MaST Center serves HCC students, researchers, and K-12 students through school and summer programs. The general public is also welcome to explore the center’s touch tanks and other educational elements year-round. In 2006, Highline Community College Foundation retained The Collins Group to provide counsel for a $2.5 million capital and endowment campaign to renovate and expand the MaST Center and to develop an endowment. The campaign met its goal in the fall of 2008.