When students, parents, high school counselors, and teachers reach out to Shoreline’s Running Start program, their first point of contact will likely be Norah Peters.
During her nearly 30 years at Shoreline College, Norah has taken on many roles, building experience in advising, athletics, manufacturing, music, social sciences, and workforce. Today, as Running Start Program Specialist, she draws on that wide-ranging background to support students experiencing college for the first time.
Access to college is at the core of Norah’s work. Running Start allows high school juniors and seniors to earn both high school and college credit at the same time, providing benefits to students and families that are both financial and academic.
Because Washington State covers their tuition, high school students can complete up to two years of college tuition-free, significantly reducing the financial burden of higher education. Beyond the savings, the Running Start program also gives students an advantage academically. Those with clear goals can begin working toward a degree or career path well before graduating from high school, in some cases putting themselves two years ahead of schedule.
At the same time, Running Start is equally valuable for students who are still exploring their future. By taking college courses to satisfy high school requirements, they gain the freedom to try a variety of subjects and discover new interests.
“Students who are undecided can explore options,” Norah said. “It gives them the opportunity to take classes that aren’t offered in their high school.”
Improving access and opportunity was an early goal for Norah. When she first stepped into the Program Specialist role in 2024, she had already been managing much of the Running Start workload for several years, but the program had been without a dedicated, full time staff member since 2020.
“I had a vision of what Running Start could be,” she said. “We hadn’t been able to do much outreach or work with the school district. We needed someone specific to Running Start.”
Over the past two years, Norah and her colleagues in the Advising Center have brought that vision to life by deepening connections with local school districts and responding more directly to student needs. Today, the program maintains regular communication with district staff for a clearer understanding of how to support students. One outcome of this has been adjusting the timing of popular course offerings to align with high school bell schedules, reducing conflicts for students who take classes at both the college and their high school.
They’ve also introduced cohort models, where groups of students move through courses together, building both academic confidence and a sense of community. For many participants, these cohorts open options that previously felt out of reach.
The College Success cohort can serve as an entry point for students who may not initially see themselves as college ready. This group often includes English language learners and first-generation college students, populations that are frequently underrepresented in dual-enrollment programs. By providing a supportive, shared introduction to college coursework, the cohort acts as a bridge, making participation more accessible.
Shoreline’s Biomanufacturing program also offers a year-long cohort. Taking just one biomanufacturing class per quarter, students start with the basics, so they don’t need any prior experience to join. For students interested in a biomanufacturing career, this cohort lets them begin their professional training while still in high school. For students undecided about a future direction, it offers a chance to explore a new field and discover opportunities they had not previously considered, including career pathways that don’t require a four-year degree.
These efforts have contributed to steady growth, with Shoreline’s Running Start program now enrolling between 500 and 600 students each quarter. With that growth comes an increased workload – Norah manages a complex administrative process that includes verification forms, registration holds, and quarterly tracking for every student. But for her, the work is worth it.
“I honestly love working with the students,” Norah said. “They have so much ahead of them. I like helping them explore. I like the potential.”
Her connection to the program is not only professional; it’s also personal. Norah’s son participated in Running Start, earning his associate degree at Shoreline before transferring to a university. That experience provided her with a firsthand view of the program’s value.
“I’ve seen the good in the program,” she said. “It’s a money saver for families. Education is super expensive. It helped us financially.”
Throughout all her work, she keeps her focus on the students. While highlighting the program’s benefits, Norah and the rest of the Advising team also make sure students are aware of the demands of college courses. They want students to know that college is available to them, and they want to ensure that students are prepared to succeed when they get here. If students think that college is out of reach, Running Start offers a way to challenge that belief.
“A lot of them don’t see college as an option,” Norah said. “We’re trying to show what’s possible.”
To discover what’s possible with Running Start and learn how to get started, visit Shoreline’s Running Start webpage.