Jenn Christison (née Mestl) was under a lot of pressure when she was in high school. Competing family and work responsibilities had begun to interfere with her education.
“I didn’t like high school very much,” she admits. “But I cared about my education, and I cared about the possibility of pursuing secondary education.”
No one in Jenn’s immediate family had been to college. So, she knew if she wanted to achieve her educational goals, she was going to have be the one to figure out how to do it.
She was thrilled and relieved when she discovered Running Start.
“It was an incredible opportunity! To be able to have all your classes done for the day in about three hours. It was a dream come true.”
Running Start is a program offered throughout the Washington State Community and Technical Colleges which gives students the opportunity to earn high school and college credits simultaneously, by enrolling 11th and 12th grade students in tuition-free college level classes.
Jenn sorted out the paperwork and enrolled, finishing the remainder of her high school credits through the Running Start program at Shoreline College. The program gave her time to balance competing priorities and focus more fully on her studies. She also soon discovered that college was a place where her creativity and curiosity could flourish.
“College felt like a deliberate environment. The people who were there wanted to be there, and I was learning alongside students of different ages and backgrounds. It created a different level of conversation.”
It was a liberating experience for Jenn. She explored philosophy, world religions, theatre, and even learned how to properly play badminton.
Jenn was having a lot of fun meeting people from around the world, discovering new passions, and digging deep into a growing fascination with social sciences. Her logic class, in particular, opened her mind to whole new ways of thinking.
“Logic introduced me to more structured ways of exploring and testing ideas. I discovered it aligned with how my brain naturally works, while also pushing me to think differently.”
Jenn graduated through Running Start and remained at Shoreline, receiving her AA degree, before easily transferring to UW – Bothell. She felt supported and cared for every step of the way.
“I have such fond memories of the campus. Between classes there were plenty of spots where you could talk and get to know your fellow classmates. Plus, the small class sizes made it possible to ask questions, build relationships, and I felt that the professors and staff genuinely cared about my education. What a great way to feel as a young person!”
Today, Jenn brings that same curiosity and creative thinking to her work through Seven Ways Consulting.
“I help leaders and teams make work easier and better through process improvement, leadership development, and stronger team dynamics. The goal is to reduce friction and waste, while building a respectful environment. The process is just as important as the outcome.”
Creative thinking is the foundation of her work. Jenn often challenges her clients to find not just one, but at least seven different solutions to complex problems. The method helps clients move beyond obvious answers, recognize risks, and identify more innovative options.
“Coming up with three ideas is easy. Moving beyond the third or fourth forces you to question assumptions, seek different perspectives, and consider possibilities you might otherwise miss.”
Jenn’s creativity isn’t restricted to working with her clients. Beyond her consulting work, she wrote a book: Even Better Leadership: Provocative Reflections to Guide Improvement. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Unexpected Productions and occasionally performs at local open mic comedy nights. Recently, she even came back to Shoreline College as a guest lecturer, helping business students better understand burnout and design processes that support improved outcomes.
“I love chatting with people who are passionate about what they do or who are excited to learn more. Being a part of people’s educational experience is fun.”
Running Start at Shoreline College gave Jenn the flexibility to continue her education and provided an environment where her curiosity could grow. Her creative energy is infectious, and she doesn’t show any signs of slowing down any time soon.
If you’d like to know more about Shoreline College’s Running Start program visit shoreline.edu/high-school-programs.