PenguinsGive, Clark College’s 24-hour fundraising event, is Thursday, April 20. In celebration of Clark College celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, all Clark College and Clark College Foundation employees and retirees are challenged to “Give $90.” Join the members of the O Squad, your employee giving committee and give $90 to support Clark students.
PenguinsGive at Sakura Festival
If you’re attending the Sakura Festival on Thursday, on your way from the cherry trees to Gaiser Hall, get a FREE coffee or smoothie at the IQ Credit Union cart from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and make your donation.
At the Foundation’s table, members of the O Squad will visit with faculty and staff about contributing during PenguinsGive and students can write thank-you notes to donors.
The annual Sakura Festival returns to the Clark College main campus on Thursday, April 20 beginning at 1 p.m. The free community event underneath a canopy of cherry blossoms is presented by Clark College, the city of Vancouver and Vancouver Rotary.
$15k Available for Matching Gifts
Join colleagues in supporting Penguin Nation. Thanks to generous donors, gifts of any amount will be matched dollar-for-dollar. More than $15,000 is available to double donations. For example, a $50 gift to student scholarships becomes $100; a $90 donation to STEM programs becomes $180; $150 to the Music program becomes $300, thanks to some generous donors.
Beginning April 14, Clark College will be switching to ParkMobile for all metered parking spaces, replacing the traditional coin-operated parking meters. This change will apply to coin-operated metered parking spaces only. Faculty/Staff or Student parking spaces will not be affected.
The Clark College Facilities team is removing the old coin-operated meters and installing the new signage that provides a link to installing the ParkMobile app.
ParkMobile will provide Clark College with a modern, convenient, and user-friendly parking experience. The ParkMobile parking app is an innovative, easy-to-use mobile platform that allows you to pay online for parking, extend your parking time, and receive notifications when your parking is about to expire.
Questions? Call Clark College Security at 360-992-2133.
Key benefits of using the ParkMobile system:
Convenience: You can pay for parking from anywhere, at any time. No need for cash or coins.
User-friendly: The app is easy to use, with a simple, intuitive interface.
Flexibility: You can extend your parking time remotely, without having to return to the parking meter.
Notifications: You will receive notifications when your parking time is about to expire, giving you the opportunity to extend your time if needed.
Secure: The app uses advanced security measures to protect your personal and financial information.
Winter 2023 Quarterly Classified Staff Excellence Award
Congratulations to Manda (Jacqueline) Levie, Interim Unit Operations Manager, Social Sciences and Fine Arts, recipient of the 2023 Winter Quarter Classified Staff Excellence Award!
We would also like to acknowledge the contributions of the other nominees.
Nominees:
Alberto Clara-Urbina – Information Security Admin, IT Services
Angela Childers – Program Support Supervisor, Disability Support Services
Angela Dawson – Nursing Program Support Supervisor, Nursing
Jeanette Steinmueller – Accounting and Business Tutor, Tutoring Services
Jillian Taylor-Valdez – Early Childhood Specialist, Child and Family Services
Katia Quintero – Student Success Coach, Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion
Lindsey McKim – Campus Security Officer, Security and Safety
Marla Derrick – Program Coordinator, Athletics
Tracy Eyler – Early Childhood Program Support Specialist, Child and Family Services
Vickie Malcolm – Custodian, Facilities Services
Manda (Jacqueline) Levie, Interim Unit Operations Manager, Social Sciences and Fine Arts
“Manda is accurate and precise, timely, and helpful in her written communication (emails, documents, phone messages). She consistently asks pertinent follow up questions and thinks through scenario options when making decisions and implementing actions.” – a staff member
Manda has been a valued Clark College employee since 2013.
She continually demonstrates competency in using Clark Campus software with her ability to find directions, tips, and workarounds for software issues (CTCLINK, Excel, etc.).
She’s always quick to recommend/refer questions she can’t answer to other competent individuals on campus. She’s developed relationships and knowledge about campus expertise, because of her volunteer and committee work, and because she’s taken a LOT of Clark courses from instructors in several disciplines.
Alberto Clara-Urbina, IT Services
“Just imagine, if there were more employees in the work-place like Alberto! Alberto goes above and beyond in many ways in his job. He is very detailed oriented and hardworking. He has a busy work schedule by default working in IT, and makes a priority to be available to discuss important compliance and regulatory items that need to be addressed. Alberto contacted Risk Management to bring a risk GAP to our attention, which, in itself, was not easy.” – a staff member
Alberto has been a valued Clark College employee since 2020.
A lot of our interaction deals with compliance. Alberto manages to maintain a positive attitude and a sense of humor, which can be challenging to do when faced with complexities of his job. It’s his willingness to work collaboratively that really enhances a positive work environment.
He’s respectful in asking questions to inquire to include other team members that might be impacted by policies and regulations. I enjoy collaborating with Alberto and I am grateful for him being a part of the Clark College Community!
Angela Childers, Disability Support Services
“Angela is motivated to provide excellent access to students with disabilities as she creatively finds ways to schedule in person sign language interpreters, interpreters for Zoom classes, live captioning, and more!” – a staff member
Angela has been a valued Clark College employee since 2017.
Angela works tirelessly to advocate on improving the pay for the interpreters so they make a fair wage to industry standards and our students can have quality ASL interpretation. Angela also brings a willingness to adjust practices, be flexible, and change the way we offer services to equitably meet the needs of both students and staff interpreters.
Works to provide interpreters to all open campus events during a national shortage of ASL interpreters, thereby fostering an inclusive environment for deaf and hard-of-hearing members of campus and community.
Angela Dawson, Nursing
“Angela is highly organized, detail oriented and efficient. She is involved in almost every aspect of the program. She supports students, staff and faculty, and she does it so well, that sometimes you don’t even know what she is doing, you just know that everything is running smoothly.” – a faculty member
Angela has been a valued Clark College employee since 2016.
Angela has the best attitude. Although she has listened to my frustrations a time or two, she has a way about her that never lets you sink into unhealthy complaining. She is a model of true grace under pressure and is always happy to lend a hand.
She is a leading force in improving organization and record keeping for accreditation purposes. Overall, Angela is a wealth of knowledge. When you need to know something she is your go to person, and when she doesn’t know something, she knows where to direct you.
Cheryl Davenport, Library
“She works very hard to make sure that the library materials that are purchased for Clark students are added to the library catalog and easy discoverable by them. She also has a friendly demeanor that encourages colleagues to stop by, chat, and check in” – a faculty member
Cheryl has been a valued Clark College employee since 2000.
Books are not light and her willingness to use her strength to transport books home and back to the library shows her commitment to her work.
When Cheryl needs input from the librarians regarding the library catalog, she attends reference meetings to explain what she needs, listens to what librarians think and moves forward with our librarian input.
Jeanette Steinmueller, Tutoring Services
“Jeanette has created homework help guides for the entire accounting sequence to help students through every single quarter, through every curriculum and every publication change. She diligently updates and works through ALL of the homework and course series for each class so that she is prepared to support the students in each program.” – a staff member
Jeanette has been a valued Clark College employee since 1998.
Jeanette regularly finds text and programing errors in the materials and has worked with the instructors and publishers to get these issues corrected prior to classes beginning, reducing a great deal of frustration and stress for students and faculty.
One student, Justin Jenks, that graduated years ago, went on to WSU-V and is now gainfully employed in our own community was recently chosen by the Vancouver Business Journal as “Accomplished and Under 40” dedicated his award to Jeanette and stated during his speech, “There is one person who has been on my mind a lot today, it’s Jeanette Steinmueller. She was just such a huge influence on my life. Not just because I got a great job because I became an accountant, but because she advocated for my success. She was there early, she stayed late for me, and she was there for thousands of students.”
Jillian Taylor-Valdez, Child and Family Services
“She is very good at communicating with other coworkers and always tries to keep the communication open and honest.” – a staff member
Jillian has been a valued Clark College employee since 2020.
Jillian cares about equity and care for other coworkers.
Jillian has a positive attitude and is always inviting and welcoming to all.
Katia Quintero, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI)
“Katia is an outstanding coach and often goes the extra mile to support students, ODEI events and plays an instrumental role in helping to plan, implement and facilitate Noche de Familia” – a staff member
Katia has been a valued Clark College employee since 2022.
Katia is always demonstrating support for all students and is consistent with providing support for student groups that include students of color, queer and students with a disability. She is warm and welcoming to all students and is an advocate for Latinx students.
Katia works with many different departments on campus when working to support students. She walks students to departments, sits in appointments if the student requests, and communicates with others on campus to make sure the student is helped and is able to access the necessary resources.
Lindsey McKim, Security and Safety Services
“Lindsey McKim exceeds expectations in the role of Clark College Columbia Tech Center Campus Security Officer for the Department of Security & Safety Services. As a crucial entity here at CTC campus, Lindsey’s role adapts to change in a soothing and calm manner with ease. She also demonstrates that she works well under pressure with a positive attitude and is detail-oriented; especially when it comes to the safety of others. Lindsey goes beyond the call of duty by inquiring and following up on additional responsibilities. It has been a pleasure working with Lindsey. I feel safe coming to campus knowing that she is looking out for the safety of students, staff, and others.” – a staff member
Lindsey has been a valued Clark College employee since 2018.
She has made herself a valuable member of the Security/Safety Department, and Clark College. Lindsey’s “can do” attitude has made her someone that the campus community can rely on. Lindsey’s unwavering desire for self-reflection, and self-improvement, are unparalleled.
In 2022, Lindsey was one of two officers selected to represent Clark at a “Women in Law Enforcement” conference. Her primary contribution related to this conference was that she brought some of the lessons and important “takeaways” from the conference back to our department, so that her peers could take advantage of the education she received.
Marla Derrick, Athletics
“Marla goes above and beyond for the Athletic Department and Clark College students. She has practiced the Clark Care’s commitments during her entire career by regularly walking students or new coaches to offices around campus, greeting people on campus, and knowing students, staff, and community members by name” – a staff member
Marla has been a valued Clark College employee since 2008.
Marla’s known by Clark College athletes as the team mom because she cares that they succeed at Clark. She has been known to give food to students who need a snack and she takes the time to listen to them talk about their lives.
With all the time and care that Marla dedicates to the Athletic Department, it might be surprising that she also takes the time to be on campus committees, volunteer for things like ushering for the theatre department, and enjoys some fun times building bonds with the students by participating in intramural events like staff vs student softball or dodgeball games.
Tracy Eyler, Child and Family Studies
“Tracy is always looking for a way to improve her work and support others in their work. Her sense of team is exceptional. Through change, unknowns, being short staffed, navigating a pandemic, and being present on campus this entire time, Tracy has provided consistency and leadership in this role of program support”- a staff member
Tracy has been a valued Clark College employee since 2004.
Tracy has been in the front line of service at Child Family Services and has demonstrated professionalism, dedication, organization, and taking initiative to make sure processes were in the best interests of the program and for children.
Tracy covered shifts when there was no one available to fill in. With her program support team, she makes sure that schedules and classrooms are covered and has done this with reduced staffing.
Vickie Malcolm, Facilities Services
“Vickie always brings and friendly face early in the morning, when we are arriving to campus. She makes sure the rooms are clean and ready for classes.”- a staff member
Vickie has been a valued Clark College employee since 2007.
Vickie helps students find their lost and found items, helps students that are confused or lost in the hallways find classes, or finds someone to help them. This promotes a very positive building atmosphere. She is cheerful and helpful and that attitude is contagious.
Goes above and beyond her job of cleaning to also helping the students and staff, and greets people warmly.
Run with your Penguins
Tired but triumphant, Clark’s 30th annual Hood to Coast team poses at the finish line in 2016.
This addition to Employee News was submitted by Haley Tucker in Event Services.
Are you interested in running events outside of Clark? If so, we have created a Clark team with the below events. I hope you can join us.
Each of the 12 runners run 3 legs over the two-day event. Here is an info video to show you how fun this event is: https://youtu.be/1m_1Vm666bc
$266 per runner.
We are also looking for drivers of our two 12 passenger vans.
August 26-27, 2022
If you have any questions, or are interested in joining, please send Haley Tucker an email at htucker@clark.edu.
Dr. Edwards named Aspen Presidential Fellow
President Karin Edwards
The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program today announced that Dr. Karin Edwards, president of Clark College, is one of 25 leaders selected for the 2021-22 class of the Aspen New Presidents Fellowship. This program supports community college presidents in the early years of their tenure as they aim to achieve higher and more equitable levels of student success. The Fellowship’s philanthropic partner is JPMorgan Chase.
The 25 Aspen Fellows, who lead colleges that collectively serve more than 280,000 students, were selected through a highly competitive process. Starting later this year, the Fellows will engage over nine months in residential sessions and virtual learning to develop strategies to meet their goals for student success and equity with data to assess challenges and progress.
“We continue to learn how the best community colleges improve outcomes for students and close persistent race- and income-based equity gaps,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the College Excellence Program. “This year’s fellows have demonstrated their commitment to achieving excellent and equitable student outcomes, and we are eager to work with them as they join Aspen’s network of more than 100 fellows who serve as community college presidents.”
“I’m honored to join the 2021-2022 Aspen Institute New Presidents Fellowship, working with 24 other presidents nationwide to increase student success with a focus on equity and excellence here at Clark College and other campuses across the U.S.,” said Dr. Edwards. “This is a tremendous opportunity.”
As community colleges grapple with the impact of COVID and enrollment declines, turnover among presidents remains high. Aspen is committed to helping prepare the next generation of exceptionally capable and highly diverse leaders through its fellowship programs for new and rising presidents. This new class of Aspen Presidential Fellows is 48 percent female, and 64 percent are people of color. Located in 18 states, their institutions too are diverse, from a tribal college with fewer than 500 students to an urban college that educates more than 35,000 each year.
“Community colleges play a critical role in helping to prepare young adults and incumbent workers for in-demand jobs of the future,” said Monique Baptiste, Vice President and Head of Jobs & Skills for Global Philanthropy at JPMorgan Chase. “Ensuring that the leaders of these institutions are equipped with the support and training they need to develop equitable student success is an integral part of building capacity over the long-run. JPMorgan Chase is proud to partner with the Aspen Institute to build the next generation of exceptional college leaders as they work to advance the prosperity of the diverse communities and students they serve.”
JPMorgan Chase funds the Aspen Presidential Fellowship as part of New Skills at Work, a five-year, $350 million investment to prepare for the future of work and meet the growing demand for skilled workers, including support for community colleges and other pathways to great careers and economic mobility.
The 2021-22 Aspen New Presidents Fellows
Rebecca Ashford, Chattanooga State Community College (TN)
Seher Awan, Los Angeles Southwest College (CA)
Vincent Bowhay, Independence Community College (KS)
J.B. Buxton, Durham Technical Community College (NC)
Karin Edwards, Clark College (WA)
Angélica Garcia, Berkeley City College (CA)
Veronica Garcia, Northeast Lakeview College (TX)
Tracy Hartzler, Central New Mexico Community College (NM)
Greg Hodges, Patrick Henry Community College (VA)
Stephanie Kashima, West Valley College (CA)
Georgia Lorenz, Seminole State College of Florida (FL)
Kimberlee Messina, Spokane Falls Community College (WA)
Rachel Pokrandt, Umpqua Community College (OR)
Christy Ponce, Temple College (TX)
Omid Pourzanjani, San Joaquin Delta College (CA)
Monte Randall, College of the Muscogee Nation (OK)
Anton Reece, West Kentucky Community and Technical College (KY)
Ángel Reyna, Madera Community College (CA)
Claudia Schrader, CUNY Kingsborough Community College (NY)
Ricky Shabazz, San Diego City College (CA)
Ron Slinger, Miles Community College (MT)
Willie E. Smith, Baton Rouge Community College (LA)
Russell Swagger, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College (WI)
Justina Wilhelm, Iḷisaġvik College (AK)
Jermaine Williams, Nassau Community College (NY)
Founded in 1933, Clark College provides residents of Southwest Washington with affordable, high-quality academic and technical education. It is a public community college offering more than 100 degree and certificate programs, including bachelor’s and associate degrees; professional certificates; high school diplomas and GED preparation; and non-credit community and continuing education. Clark serves a wide range of students including high school students, displaced workers, veterans, parents, non-native English speakers, and mature learners. Approximately three-quarters of its students are in the first generation of their families to attend college. Learn more at www.clark.edu.
The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program aims to advance higher education practices and leadership strategies that significantly improve student outcomes. Through the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the Aspen Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence, and other initiatives, the College Excellence Program works to improve colleges’ understanding and capacity to teach and graduate students, especially the growing population of low-income students and students of color on American campuses. For more information, visit highered.aspeninstitute.org and follow us on Twitter at @AspenHigherEd.
The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most important challenges facing the United States and the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners.
About JPMorgan Chase
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $3.7 trillion and operations worldwide. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, JPMorgan Chase & Co. serves millions of customers in the United States and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under its J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.
From the Board of Trustees: Remembering Jane Jacobsen
Jane Jacobsen addressing the Class of 2019 at Commencement.
Dear College Community,
As members of the Board of Trustees, we want to add our voices to the many who are expressing sorrow at the passing of our fellow Trustee, Jane Jacobsen.
Those who knew Jane will remember her warmth, her kindness, and her seemingly limitless capacity for positive energy. Jane would show up with fresh baked shortbread cookies just because she was thinking of us. Whenever there was a college event, you could count on Jane to be in attendance, joyfully participating in any activity offered. Whenever we had the opportunity to engage with students, Jane was the first to congratulate them on their successes and let them know she believed in their capacity to build better futures for themselves.
She also unwavering when it came to making difficult decisions. When there was critical work to be done, Jane would diligently roll up her sleeves and get to it.
Whatever your role at the college, you have probably been touched by Jane’s work. During her two terms as a trustee at Clark College, she served in many roles, including Board Chair from 2019 to 2020. She also served on the college’s Presidential Search Advisory Committee, Social Equity Advisory Council, Guided Pathways Committee, and as an alternate Legislative Action Committee Representative to the Washington State Association of College Trustees.
Perhaps what we will miss most about Jane is her foundational belief in the power of community. She was always there to remind us that whatever decisions we made about Clark College would have profound effects on the entire Southwest Washington region. The Clark College Board of Trustees commits to honoring Jane’s memory by holding her love for our community at the center of all we do.
It was a true honor and privilege to work with Jane. Her presence will be truly missed.
With loving memories,
Clark College Board of Trustees
Rekah Strong, Chair
Jeanne Bennett, Vice Chair
Cristhian A. Canseco Juarez
Paul Speer
New welding partnership with Vigor
Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley
Clark College has begun a new partnership with industrial business Vigor to provide specialized training for current Vigor employees. Clark College Welding faculty have created a six-credit Marine and Pipe Welding course starting in the summer 2021 term.
Instruction will be delivered in a hybrid format (on-line lectures and in-person labs) to 10 employees for one term. The signed memorandum of agreement (MOA) is the result of numerous conversations between the college and the company on how best to partner to give employees access to specialized training that will help them advance in their careers and fill a critical need in the ship-repair industry.
Caleb White, who heads Clark College’s Welding and Fabrication Technology program, met with Vigor leaders and then invited them to campus pre-COVID to observe Clark’s welding lab.
White said, “We are excited to work with Vigor as we better understand their specific needs and they can see our capabilities and our applications in working with pressure vessels. We were able to demonstrate that our faculty have the expertise and knowledge to design and facilitate the training that Vigor was seeking to enhance the skillset of their welders. Vigor benefits, Clark College benefits and most importantly our students benefit from the partnership.”
“Vigor is excited to partner with Clark College to train the next generation of welders,” said Hilary Pickerel, Workforce Development Manager at Vigor. “This program will be a great opportunity for current Vigor employees to pursue a career in welding and family wage jobs at places like Vigor. Development opportunities like this are core to Vigor’s Evolution value, which drives our employees to grow and master their skill sets.”
About Clark College
Founded in 1933, Clark College provides residents of Southwest Washington with affordable, high-quality academic and technical education. It is a public community college offering more than 100 degree and certificate programs, including bachelor’s and associate degrees; professional certificates; high school diplomas and GED preparation; and non-credit community and continuing education. Clark serves a wide range of students including high school students, displaced workers, veterans, parents, non-native English speakers, and mature learners. Approximately three-quarters of its students are in the first generation of their families to attend college.
About Vigor
Vigor is a values-driven, diversified industrial business operating in eight locations with 2,300 people in Oregon, Washington and Alaska. Built around a collection of powerful, unique assets and differentiated capabilities, Vigor excels at ship repair, specialized shipbuilding, and handling important, complex projects in support of energy generation, our nation’s infrastructure and national defense. With deep respect for people and the planet, Vigor strives to be a positive, regenerative force for good – environmentally, in the lives of its employees and in the community. Vigor … Industrial Evolution. For more information, visit vigor.net.
Free bus passes for students
Photo courtesy of C-TRAN
Starting March 1, Clark College students will no longer have to pay for the C-TRAN bus pass called “BackPASS,” thanks to an interlocal agreement between C-TRAN and Clark College.
“We are grateful to our partners at C-TRAN in our shared efforts to provide for students and improve accessibility,” said Dr. Karin Edwards, Clark College President. “Together we have removed one more barrier to help improve student retention and success.”
The new benefit applies to all enrolled students. Students need to have their Clark College ID card in order to receive the bus pass sticker. Both can be obtained through the Clark College Bookstore.
While many students are taking classes remotely and online during the pandemic, the bus pass allows them unlimited transportation on the C-TRAN’s local service area. “Many of our students rely on public transportation to get to and from work, home and school,” said Josiah Joner, Associated Students of Clark College President. “A bus pass is essential and now it’s available to everyone regardless of ability to pay.”
New faces joining health care workforce
2021 Medical Assistant graduate Cindi Clark is ready for a new career in healthcare.
Twenty-three Clark College students who earned their degree in Medical Assistant celebrated their achievement with family and friends during a virtual Pinning ceremony on January 20.
For student Candi Clark, the Pinning ceremony was the culmination of longtime family support and inspiration. As a teen, Clark attended the Pinning ceremony for her mother, Rhonda Hansen-Boyle, who earned her nursing degree at Clark College and now works at the Veterans Administration Medical Center.
During the virtual ceremony, Clark was surrounded by her supportive family—her mother, father and sister—to celebrate her graduation. She says her family’s support was instrumental to her success as she navigated life’s obstacles—including a global pandemic—to earn her degree.
“I’ve always had a calling to help people,” she said. “Once I told my mother I wanted to go into the medical field, my mom was 100 percent behind me.”
Medical assistants are in demand. Many will join the healthcare workforce in the coming weeks. The Vancouver Clinic hired 19 of the 23 students.
In addition to her supportive family, Clark is thankful for the help and guidance she received from WorkSource, which has partnered with Clark College to help students succeed.
WorkSource uses federal funding through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and provides critical support and services to workers who want to develop the necessary skills for a good job in high-demand fields such as health care services. Available services include tuition assistance, book allowances, uniforms, supplies, and career counseling.
The program is open to a wide variety of adults including those who have been laid off, displaced, or who are under-employed. Low-income adults and veterans also are eligible.
“Our goal is to get people back to work in high-demand occupations that provide stable and meaningful employment to benefit their families and the community,” said Karin LaValla, WorkSource Health Care Liaison. “By partnering with Clark College, we can integrate our services, working together to provide those wrap-around supports to help students succeed.”
LaValla and her team work directly with Dr. Sarah Kuzera, Director of the Medical Assisting Program at Clark College. They attend the orientation for new students and explain their program. In this year’s class, nearly half of the students were eligible for WorkSource services.
“They receive help with tuition, books, transportation, childcare, financial and job coaching,” said Kuzera. “This has been a stressful year for our students. We’re grateful to have WorkSource at our side as active partners helping our students succeed.”
“WorkSource has been so helpful—a combination coach and fairy godmother,” said Candi Clark. “When I needed help with tuition, supplies—even scrubs—they were there for me. It’s made all the difference in being able to complete my studies.”
WorkSource also helps students find externships and employment. The federal program provides employers up to 50 percent wage reimbursement for a student’s first 30 to 60 days on the job. Candi Clark has already interned at Vancouver Clinic doing patient care and is eager to complete her testing and get to work.
Certified Medical Assistants are in high demand right now, in part because of the pandemic. Medical assistants work directly with physicians and patients in both the clinical and administrative settings. They maintain the daily workflow of a medical office.
“Our graduates are in high demand,” said Kuzera. “Our program is growing.”
The next class, called a cohort, begins spring term; the first day of classes is April 5. Interested students can learn more on the college’s Medical Assisting page.
During the Pinning ceremony—a tradition in many health care programs—the graduates celebrated one another via Zoom. “It’s harder to do basic things, like draw blood, during a pandemic,” said Candi Clark. “But we figured it out and we can be proud of ourselves that we didn’t give up.”
Rhonda Hansen-Boyle, left, congratulates her daughter Candi Clark on graduating from the Clark College Medical Assistant program during a virtual pinning ceremony. Hansen-Boyle is an alumnus of the college’s Nursing program.
Clark’s story came full circle during the Pinning ceremony, when her mother attached the pin to her daughter’s shirt. In the family photo taken immediately after the pinning, Clark proudly wears her pin. Her smiling mother is reaching out to touch her daughter’s shoulder.
“This is so exciting for me and my family,” Clark said. “It’s been a long road to get here. I can’t wait to get to work. Healthcare is kind of the family business. We gravitate to the helping professions. It’s where we can make a difference.”
For students interested in learning more about WorkSource Washington and its educational training opportunities for job-seekers can visit WorkSource’s website.
Clark College hosts Northwest Regional Equity Conference
Registration is now open for Clark College’s 2021 Northwest Regional Equity Conference. This year’s theme is “Sharing Strategies for Equity and Anti-Racist Practices.”
The online, two-day conference aims to improve equitable, sustainable experiences and outcomes for historically under-represented students and employees of the higher education system through effective instruction and anti-racist supports. This year the conference will broaden its scope of topics beyond higher education.
Left to right: Rashida Willard, Randolf Carter ,and Michael Tuncap at the 2020 NWREC.
“We see racism playing out before our eyes, and conversations around anti-racism are as much needed right now as they have always been, but what is really needed is anti-racism in action,” said Rashida Willard, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Clark College. “We all benefit by sharing our experiences and learning from those who bring their expertise to these vital conversations.”
This conference has been broadened to include governmental, non-profit, and corporate sectors. It is really geared toward individuals across the nation who would like to broaden their social justice knowledge or remove institutional barriers for historically underrepresented populations.
Workshops include:
Bias and Discrimination in AI systems
A Call to Anti-Racism -Teaching Cultural Diversity to Health Care Students
Data Storytelling
Creating IMPACTful Mentoring Opportunities for BIPOC Students
Restorative Justice
Employee Engagement and Retention
Best Practices for Working with Incarcerated Students
Disability Justice
Building a Community of Collective Care
Making DEI Training Count: Overcoming Common Pitfalls
Creating Pathways for Native, Latinx and Afrocentric Education from High School through College
Equity in Student Conduct
“We created the conference last year because we saw a need to elevate the discussion, seek out best practices, and take action,” said Willard. “These are the very issues we are working on at Clark College. We are working on becoming anti-racist – not just on paper, but in everything we do. We want to share these best practices with community. We are in a time of seismic change as our nation grapples with systemic racism, politics, the pandemic and the economy. The Northwest Regional Equity Conference provides a pathway forward for communities ready to take the next step.”
Talila “TL” Lewisis a community lawyer, educator, and organizer whose work highlights and addresses the nexus between race, class, disability and structural inequity. Recognized as a 2015 White House Champion of Change and one of Pacific Standard Magazine‘s Top 30 Thinkers Under 30, Lewis engineers and leads innovative and intersectional social justice efforts that illuminate and address grave injustices within education, medical, and legal systems that have gone unaddressed for generations. A recent graduate of American University Washington College of Law, Lewis has received awards from numerous universities, the American Bar Association, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, American Association for People with Disabilities, the Nation Institute, National Black Deaf Advocates, and EBONY Magazine, among others. Lewis is a 2018 Roddenberry Fellow and a 2018 Atlantic Fellow for Racial Equity.
Aaron Readeris a practitioner, poet, activist and educator, with extensive experience in diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education. He has served higher education in a number of capacities over the last decade from teaching, social justice, education equity, and currently is the Vice President of Student Services at Highline College. In addition to his work in higher education he has a passion for poetry and spoken word. He has been identified as workshop leader, facilitator and speaker for colleges, summits and conferences. Reader has been recognized as a local spoken-word artist who has a powerful, emotional, real, and conscious style.
Dr. Angel B. Pérez has worked for over two decades to realize his belief that diversity and academic excellence go hand-in-hand, and that every young person who aspires to higher education should have the opportunity to achieve. A recognized thought-leader on issues of equity and access in American education, Peréz is a tireless champion for under-represented communities and a creative advocate for reform. Named by a Forbes article in 2019 as the most influential voice in college admissions, Peréz strives to build an educational ecosystem that better represents today’s America.
