Shoreline Community College is pleased to welcome Tsai-En Cheng as the new Dean of Career and Technical Education (CTE) in STEM, bringing over 20 years of leadership experience in higher education, workforce development, and cross-sector partnerships. Tsai-En is known for her student-centered, equity-driven approach and her ability to build meaningful collaborations between education, industry, and community. She will begin her new role at Shoreline on September 1, 2025.
Most recently, Dean Cheng served as Dean of Branch Locations for Academic and Program Development and Interim Dean of Instruction for the Technology Division at Green River College, where she led a broad portfolio of credit and non-credit programs across multiple campuses, including three branch locations, Corporate and Community Continuing Education, the Washington Environmental Training Center (WETRC), and the Small Business Center. Her leadership helped grow industry-aligned programs in areas such as cybersecurity, aviation, software development, manufacturing, natural resources, and nursing, often in direct response to regional workforce needs.
A first-generation college student and adult immigrant, Cheng draws from her own educational journey to champion access and innovation. She has led efforts to bridge English language learners into technical careers, developed teacher training programs in aerospace education in partnership with the University of Washington and the City of Kent, and co-created a community-driven Automotive Pathway with the Auburn School District. She has also served as a Economic Development Council member for the city of Maple Valley, a longstanding board member of the Continuing Education Council, a newly elected vice chair of the Baccalaureate Leadership Council, an advisory board member to the Seattle Universal Math Museum, and board member for Auburn Symphony Orchestra.
“What excites me most about joining Shoreline is the opportunity to work alongside faculty, students, and community partners to strengthen the pathways between education and meaningful careers. CTE and STEM programs don’t just prepare students for jobs, they empower students to see what’s possible for their future. I’m honored to support that work.”
Dean Cheng’s background spans ESL instruction, film and media, business etiquette, curriculum design, and faculty development, and she has led teacher training programs both domestically and internationally. She was also a key leader in Washington State’s Transparency in Learning and Teaching initiative and has over a decade of experience in program assessment and strategic planning.
Outside of work, Tsai-En enjoys walking in the woods and traveling with her family, attending symphony performances, volunteering for disaster relief efforts, and building tiny homes for community outreach projects.