The Weekly News: Week 29
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.