This week

I kicked off this week with welcoming our new employees to the Penguin Nation at their orientation session. Thank you to Vanessa Neal for organizing this engaging event, and to each of the program presenters as well. I appreciated hearing from classified staff at the WPEA Membership meeting as they shared concerns about college climate with me. I joined the foundation for a “Conversation” with community leaders hosted by Patrick Ginn, CEO of the Ginn Group, at his office. It was an informative evening of making connections with Clark College and updating the group on some of the exciting things happening here, including the new applied baccalaureate programs. Thanks to Nursing faculty member Nick Luisi for sharing his inspiring keynote presentation at the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Multicultural Peer Mentors’ Winter 2020 Queer Student Luncheon. I also stopped in at the Transfer Fair in the Student Center and delighted to see so many of our students exploring what’s next for them on their path to success.

Presidential finalist feedback is due Feb. 4

If you haven’t already, remember to submit your feedback online for our three finalist presidential candidates. Employees can do so online from the ClarkNet home page (login required). All feedback must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 4. All feedback will be anonymous and confidential.

BASHS recognition

The Washington State Department of Health recently issued a report titled “Evaluating the Need for Creation of a Bachelor’s Level Behavioral Health Credential.” Clark College’s own Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Services degree program was singled out as an example of the kind of degree path that combines training in both addiction and mental health to create behavioral health care professionals that meet new guidelines set out by the Affordable Care Act. Kudos to Dr. Marcia Roi and the rest of the team behind our BASHS program for being forward-thinking about how best to prepare students for the future of health care careers.

Advising takes their show on the road

You may have seen staff from Advising Services around campus recently talking with students as part of a new “Pop-Up Advising” initiative. They are reaching out to students to promote the importance of making connections with academic advisors early. This is a great example of putting Guided Pathways goals into action by making this key service more accessible to students who might not come into their offices. Academic Advisors will be visiting CTC and CCW this term as well. If you have an area of the college you think would benefit from a Pop-Up Advising session, contact advising@clark.edu.

Go Penguins!

Congratulations to our women’s basketball team, who beat Portland Community College 71-43 on Wednesday. Find out about scores and upcoming games at www.clarkpenguins.com.

Gaydena Thompson

Finally, I want to take a moment to recognize the passing of an important figure in Clark College’s history. Gaydena Thompson, who taught physical education at Clark College for more than three decades and served as our Athletic Director for five years, died on December 31 at the age of 84. Gaydena was a truly remarkable person: Not only was she Clark Collge’s first female athletic director, but she was the first female athletic director at any Washington State community or technical college. Our Thompson Fitness Center is named after her. A celebration of Gaydena’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on February 1 in Gaiser Student Center. Those who wish to do so can donate to Clark College Foundation in Gaydena’s name by visiting www.clarkcollegefoundation.org/campaign/give, selecting “Other” in the drop down menu and specifying the “Gaydena Thompson Fund.”

Next Week

I am looking forward to enjoying a Mardi Gras-inspired menu in the MCI Student Restaurant next week. I’ll be sharing an update on the college at the Foundation Board meeting, attending the Columbia River Economic Development Annual Investor Event, meeting the first- and second-year tenure probationers at the Board of Trustees Work Session, hosting birthdays with the president, and attending the STEM Seminar Series on February 7 (“Worthwhile Challenges of Fieldwork in Congo Basin” by Clark College anthropology faculty member Jay Fancher). And I’ll be ending the week by celebrating our new inductees into the Clark College Athletic Hall of Fame. This year’s honorees include: 1968 Men’s Golf Team; 1995 Men’s Basketball Team; Dan Johnson, Men’s Basketball 1966-68; Michele (Westmorland) Brown, Women’s Softball 2012; and Marc Hadenfeld, Men’s Track & Field 1969-70.

Great things continue to happen every day here at Clark College. Thank you for all you do.