May 9, 2013 Clark College Evacuation Drill.

Clark College is committed to creating a safe learning environment for students, employees, and guests, but public safety is also the responsibility of each member of our community. Being prepared—both mentally and physically—for the unexpected is the first and best defense to minimize accidents, emergencies, and other incidents.

One aspect of Clark’s preparation efforts is the Emergency Management Planning Committee, which provides leadership, guidance, and solutions on safety and security issues. The committee recently welcomed Michael See, emergency manager, to the team. As a part of his role, See is responsible for helping to communicate emergency procedures to the college community.

Michael See

“In the recent campus climate survey, we found that many Clark employees felt less prepared and knowledgeable about emergency procedures than in previous survey periods,” said See. “We view this as an opportunity to provide further education, resources, and training to our community so that we all can be proactive participants in maintaining a safe environment.”

See, who was hired in November will be working over the summer to update Clark’s emergency procedures and the emergency-preparedness area of the Clark website, which can be accessed via www.clark.edu/emergency.

Small preparations, such as practicing emergency response procedures or knowing the location of designated Assembly Areas on campus, not only help keep us safe as individuals, but also contribute to the well-being of those around us.

Below, you will find guidance on emergency procedures, as well as links to resources and information on how to request additional training.

What is considered an emergency?

An emergency is any incident—caused by human or nature—that disrupts the standard operations of Clark College or its educational activities and requires immediate, responsive action. Large-scale emergencies can include natural disasters, facilities hazards such as fires or power outages, and acts or threats of violence.

How will I know when there is an emergency on campus?

Clark College has implemented a multi-tiered mass notification system to alert people on campus about emergencies. We have the ability to transmit emergency alerts through multiple methods including:

• The digital telephone system installed in most offices and classrooms
• Networked computer terminals
• Loudspeakers in many of the common areas
• Alerts sent to Clark College email
• Alerts posted to the college’s website

Faculty, staff and students can also opt-in to receive text alerts on their mobile devices by subscribing to RAVE, a no-cost service. All members of the Clark community are encouraged to sign up. Click the link for more information about Clark’s mass notification system.

What am I supposed to do?

If you discover an emergency, no matter the type, your first priority should be to ensure your own personal safety and the safety of those around you, to the best of your ability.

Once you are safe, notify Campus Security at extension 2133 for Main Campus or 6133 for CTC.  Calling 911 may also be appropriate. Emergency Procedures posters, which are widely distributed across the campuses, and Emergency Response Guides, available in all work areas, provide specific directions based on the type of emergency.

Messages delivered through the mass notification system will also provide information about the nature of the emergency. More importantly, it will provide you with some instructions. The most common instructions you can expect will be to either lockdown or evacuate.

When directed to lockdown:

• Close and lock all doors and windows
• Close blinds or cover windows
• Leave all computers on and turn up the volume on all desk telephones
• Silence all cell phones, but leave them turned on
• When possible, turn off room lights
• Limit movement and be as quiet as possible until the “All Clear” message is transmitted through the mass notification system

When directed to evacuate:

• Leave your belongings where they are
• Walk in an orderly fashion towards the nearest exit, helping others that may need assistance, if you are able
• Each building has an Emergency Building Coordinator (EBC) assigned to guide people out safely; follow any instructions given by an EBC
• Move to a designated Assembly Area
• Wait for further instructions or an “All Clear” message

Clark College and the EMPC are committed to providing a safe environment for the entire college community. Michael See and the rest of the Clark College Emergency Management staff are available to address groups during meetings or other discussions upon request. Please contact emergencymanager@clark.edu to schedule or to submit specific questions or concerns.

Honorees with their nominators, left to right: Jody Campbell, Rhona Sen Hoss, Temple Lentz, Jim Mains, Deena Pierott, Paul Speer, Carolyn N. Long, Lisa Schauer, Judie Stanton, and Jane Johnson.

On March 8, while people around the world celebrated International Women’s Day, members of the local community gathered in Gaiser Student Center to honor five women’s contributions to Southwest Washington at the 2017 Iris Awards.

Guests enjoyed refreshments and light fare provided by Beaches Restaurant as they celebrated the honorees. Ceremonies began with greetings from Clark College Chief Information Officer Chato Hazelbaker and President Bob Knight, after which the evening was turned over to emcee Renee Newman, who introduced speeches by both the honorees and their nominators.

Emcee Renee Newman, welcoming Iris Award attendees

This year’s Iris Award recipients were:

• Jody Campbell of The Columbian
• Temple Lentz of Cascade Sotheby’s International Realty and High Five Media
• Deena Pierott of iUrban Teen and Mosaic Blueprint
• Carolyn N. Long of Washington State University Vancouver
• Judie Stanton of the League of Women Voters of Clark County

This annual ceremony has a long tradition in this community. The event began in 1985 as a photography exhibit during Women’s History Week, which later developed into a larger awards program and ceremony known as the Southwest Washington Women of Achievement Awards. In 2012, the event was reintroduced as the Iris Awards with the same core mission: honoring the women of Southwest Washington for their outstanding contributions in the categories of public, private, and philanthropic service.

The 2017 Iris Award Recipients

Jody Campbell

The first honoree to take the stage was Jody Campbell, who joined The Columbian at 21 years old and is now the newspaper’s co-owner, editorial board member, and director of community partnerships. As director, Campbell supports hundreds of nonprofit organizations in Southwest Washington by providing a platform for promotion and exposure of their important work in the community.

“In my role as The Columbian’s Community Partnerships Director, I’m able to give back on a different level,” said Campbell, as she was presented with her award. “This includes having the unique opportunity to give away money every year to local nonprofits through advertising partnerships. The programs we offer provide the support necessary for them to thrive in Southwest Washington.”

Campbell’s generous spirit extends beyond her work at The Columbian. Along with her friend, Rhona Sen Hoss—a previous Iris Award honoree who presented Campbell with her award at the ceremony—Campbell co-founded Pink Power, an annual fundraising event that helped build the Kearney Breast Care Center at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center.

Temple Lentz

Next, an award was presented to community advocate and marketing professional Temple Lentz. In her decade-plus of living in Southwest Washington, Lentz has made a sizeable impact on the region.

Lentz is a business director for Cascade Sotheby’s International Realty, as well as a partner and director of content and communications for High Five Media, a political and marketing consulting firm. High Five Media produces the popular live talk show, “Hello Vancouver!” which Lentz co-created and hosts on a regular basis.

From her former days as the anonymous blogger behind the satirical website The Daily ‘Couve to the current host of “Hello Vancouver!” Lentz has long shown herself to be a champion—and sometimes good-humored critic—of all things Vancouver, said High Five Media partner Jim Mains, who presented Lentz with her award.

In her previous role as executive director of the Parks Foundation of Clark County, Lentz facilitated close to $1 million in grants and donations for local parks and recreation programs over a year and a half period, according to Mains.

Lentz’s love of Vancouver shone through as she received her award.

“When I got here [to Vancouver], I finally felt like I was home. … There are good people here who work together to make a difference,” Lentz said. “I am endlessly impressed by our community, and I am impressed by the dedication of the people here to make their home a better place. Not just for now, but for generations to come.”

Deena Pierott

Deena Pierott delivered a special message to her granddaughter Leila

Next on stage was Deena Pierott, the founder and executive director of iUrban Teen, a nationally recognized program providing career-focused education and mentoring to underrepresented teens. Pierott is also the president and CEO of Mosaic Blueprint, a boutique consulting firm specializing in recruiting, multicultural communications, and equity and inclusion training.

“For me to work in diversity, equity, and inclusion work was a natural—that was my calling,” said Pierott as she received her award. “And with iUrban Teen, making sure that these youth, who don’t usually have access to information or jobs, making sure that they are exposed to these opportunities and they are given every opportunity like everyone else, that they’re being included—to me, that’s success.”

While Pierott’s work has been recognized by many organizations, from Ebony Magazine to the White House, she had never received an award in her hometown, and she expressed how meaningful it was to have her family attend the Iris Awards ceremony. As Pierott spoke of her family, she invited her young granddaughter, Leila, to the stage and spoke directly to her.

“In honor of International Women’s Day, Leila, I have a message for you,” she said. “I hope that one day you will recognize what this honor is for your grandmother, and that you will recognize the path that I am laying out in front of you. We are the dream of our ancestors. We’re standing on their shoulders. And it’s our responsibility to honor them by moving forward in life with grace, purpose and integrity.”

Dr. Carolyn N. Long

Dr. Carolyn Long with former Washington Secretary of State, Sam Reed

A new addition to the 2017 ceremony was the Iris H-RoC award, presented to Washington State University Vancouver political science professor Dr. Carolyn N. Long. This award category honors women in the community who have promoted civil discourse, teamwork, collaboration, and cooperation. H-RoC, a non-partisan political action committee dedicated to the advancement of women leaders in Southwest Washington, sponsored this award.

“We’re proud to be recognizing tonight the contributions of a pioneer, a champion, and an advocate for civil discourse,” said H-RoC member and previous Iris Award honoree Lisa Schauer as she introduced Dr. Long.

Recently, Dr. Long was named the Sam Reed Distinguished Professor in Civic Education and Public Civility. In 2015, she helped launch the Initiative for Public Deliberation, a program sponsored by WSUV and the Thomas S. Foley Institute that brings together the community to foster discussions on difficult issues.

“I want to thank you for this award, but I actually think my receiving it is less important than what the award actually represents. And what it represents is a community identifying the issues of incivility in our politics and how damaging that can be to our political culture.”

Dr. Long said she sees a way through political rancor and encouraged attendees to have conversations with and listen to one another, especially when holding differing viewpoints.

Judie Stanton

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of the second annual Iris Legacy Award to Judie Stanton. This award category honors a previous Iris or Women of Achievement award recipient whose continued leadership remains an enduring inspiration for others. Stanton was first honored in in 2002 as a Woman of Achievement for her leadership as a Clark County Commissioner.

Currently, Stanton is the co-chair of the League of Women Voters of Clark County, where she runs board meetings, provides direction and oversight, and represents Clark County at various regional levels within the organization. In 2014, Stanton was appointed by Governor Jay Inslee to the state of Washington’s Commission on Judicial Conduct.

“It has been my good fortune to be a member of many boards and organizations over the years,” said Stanton as she spoke about her community service work. “I’ve learned from every experience. [Being a member of the League of Women Voters] provides a great education in civics, civility, and the value of inclusiveness. I would encourage all of you to take advantage of learning experiences available through your involvement with boards and organizations.”

For more information about the Iris Awards, visit clark.edu/cc/irisawards.

View photos from the event on our Flickr page.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Temple Lentz, Deena Pierott, and Jody Campbell are recipients of the 2017 Iris Awards.

Five women will be honored at the 2017 Iris Awards, honoring women of achievement in Southwest Washington. They will receive the awards at a ceremony held March 8 at Clark College.

Three Iris Awards for exceptional leadership, philanthropy and community service will be presented to Deena Pierott, founder of the nonprofit iUrban Teen and president of Mosaic Blueprint; Temple Lentz, host of the “Hello Vancouver!” talk show and former Parks Foundation executive director; and Jody Campbell, director of community partnerships for The Columbian newspaper.

Dr. Carolyn Long is the recipient of a new award category, sponsored by H-RoC, a non-partisan political action committee dedicated to the advancement of elected and appointed female leaders in Southwest Washington, to honor a woman in the community who has promoted civil discourse, teamwork, collaboration and cooperation. Additionally, the second annual Legacy Award will be presented to Judie Stanton, co-chair of the League of Women Voters of Clark County. Stanton was first honored in 2002 for her service as a county commissioner. The Legacy Award is presented to a former Iris Award or Women of Achievement recipient whose continued leadership remains an enduring inspiration for others.

The event is open to the public and tickets are on sale through the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce at http://www.vancouverusa.com/events/details/2017-iris-awards-reception-13714. The cost is $35 per person. A table sponsorship, which includes eight tickets, can be purchased for $310. Seating is limited.

Clark College is located at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver. Driving directions and parking maps are available at www.clark.edu/maps. Anyone needing accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event should contact Clark College’s Disability Support Services Office at (360) 992-2314 or (360) 991-0901 (VP), or visit Penguin Union Building room 013, by February 26.

About the Iris Awards

The Iris Awards follow in the tradition of the Southwest Washington Women of Achievement Awards, which began in 1985 at Clark College. In 2012, the event was reintroduced as the Iris Awards, still celebrated on or around International Women’s Day (March 8) and with the same core mission: honoring the lasting and far-reaching contributions of women in Southwest Washington and beyond.

This year’s awards are sponsored by Clark College, the Clark College Foundation, the Vancouver Business Journal, the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, and H-RoC. The Iris Award winners will be featured in the Vancouver Business Journal’s 2017 “Women in Business” directory, the only Portland/Vancouver metro area directory of businesses that are owned, directed or managed by women.

2017 Iris Award Recipients

Deena Pierott

Deena Pierott

A passion for inclusion and equal opportunity drives Deena Pierott’s work in both the private and public sectors. As the founder and executive director of iUrban Teen, a nationally recognized program providing career-focused education and mentoring to underrepresented teens, Pierott helps expose science, technology, engineering, arts and math careers to young men of color and aims to create an employment pipeline of diverse talent into technology fields. Since the organization was founded in 2011 in Portland, Oregon, iUrban Teen has served over 4,000 youth and expanded to five states.

Pierott is also the president and CEO of Mosaic Blueprint, a boutique consulting firm located in Vancouver, Washington. The company specializes in recruiting and on-boarding; multi-cultural communications; equity and inclusion training; and event planning. For the past seven years, Pierott has been the chief organizer of the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast at Clark College.

Pierott’s achievements have been widely recognized. In 2013, she was honored by the White House as a Champion of Change for Technology. Her other recognitions include: Washington State African American Achievement Award (2017), AKA Global Impact Award (2016), Ebony Magazine Power 100 List (2013), Business Journal Orchid Award (2013), and MED Week Minority Business of the Year (2010).

Temple Lentz

Temple Lentz

Community advocate, fundraising and marketing professional, and political consultant Temple Lentz has made a sizable impact on Southwest Washington during her 10 years of residency. As the former executive director of the Parks Foundation of Clark County, an agency that administers donations and gifts for local parks and recreation programs, Lentz was instrumental in facilitating more than $750,000 in grants and donations to support projects throughout Clark County. Showing her interest in good governance, Lentz was elected as a Clark County Freeholder in 2013; in that position, she helped write and pass a new county charter.

Lentz is also a partner and director of content and communications for High Five Media, a political and marketing consulting firm. High Five Media also produces “Hello Vancouver!” a live talk show about Vancouver and Clark County that Lentz conceived and co-created, and which she hosts regularly in Downtown Vancouver. Through the show, she provides an important spotlight for local causes and organizations.

Early in 2017, Lentz joined Cascade Sotheby’s International Realty as business director.

In addition to her professional efforts, Lentz is an active volunteer, having served as board member for Friends of the Columbia River Gorge, Arts of Clark County, Leadership Clark County, and KXRW Radio.

Jody Campbell

Jody Campbell

Jody Campbell joined The Columbian newspaper at 21 years old. Three decades later, she is now a co-owner, sits on the editorial board, and spearheads The Columbian’s community giving efforts. As the director of community partnerships, Campbell has been instrumental in supporting nonprofit organizations in Southwest Washington through advertising sponsorships and public service announcements. Each year, Campbell manages the advertising portfolios for hundreds of nonprofits that work for diverse causes, including: breast cancer research, hunger and homelessness, affordable housing, social justice, education, and women’s rights. Through community partnerships with The Columbian, nonprofit groups are able to promote their programs and fundraising efforts more effectively.

Campbell is a board member of the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington and the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce and a member of Empower Women + Girls, a giving circle of more than 50 local women that uses member donations to award grants to organizations working towards gender equality. She also co-founded Pink Power, an annual fundraising event that helped build the Kearney Breast Care Center at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver, Washington, which provides digital mammography and medical care services for breast cancer.

2017 Iris H-ROC Award: Dr. Carolyn Long

Dr. Carolyn Long

Washington State University Vancouver political science professor Dr. Carolyn Long has an extensive history in the field of civics and promoting civil discourse. She received bachelor’s degrees in political science and in rhetoric and communication from the University of Oregon and a Ph.D. in political science from Rutgers University. Dr. Long’s research interests focus on American institutions, public law, and American public policy, and she was recently named as the Sam Reed Distinguished Professor in Civic Education and Public Civility.

In 2015, Dr. Long helped launch the Initiative for Public Deliberation, a program sponsored by WSUV and the Thom

as S. Foley Institute that brings together students, faculty, and community members with different opinions and perspectives for small-group discussions. Participants learn listening skills, practice facilitating conversations, and enhance understanding of complex policy issues. The ultimate goal of the program is to strengthen democratic government by replacing partisanship with collaborative problem-solving.

In addition to her academic work, Dr. Long is a regular speaker and panelist for local organizations such as the Rotary Club, CREDC Clark County, and H-RoC. Dr. Long’s recent topics of discussion have included local economic forecasting, intergovernmental relations, and an examination of incivility in the 2016 elections.

2017 Iris Legacy Award: Judie Stanton

Judie Stanton

Judie Stanton is the co-chair of the League of Women Voters (LWV) of Clark County. Formed in 1920, LWV is a non-partisan civic organization that encourages active participation of all citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. As co-chair, Stanton runs board meetings, provides direction and oversight, and represents Clark County at the local, state, and national levels within the organization. Stanton was instrumental in leading discussions for a Washington state study on climate change and supporting the national LWV “Get Out the Vote” initiative. She is recognized within the Clark County community for providing consistent, thoughtful, and balanced leadership.

Stanton also serves as a member of the state of Washington’s Commission on Judicial Conduct (CJC), an appointment she was granted by Governor Jay Inslee in 2014. The CJC oversees the process of all complaints and discipline of judicial officers in the state of Washington.

Stanton received a Women in Achievement award in 2002 for her leadership and commitment to community involvement as a Clark County Commissioner. Through her ongoing contributions to the region, Stanton continues make an invaluable impact on Southwest Washington.

Gov. Jay Inslee visits with children in the Oliva Family Early Learning Center.

Governor Jay Inslee stopped by Clark College on Jan. 24 to tour the Oliva Family Early Learning Center and learn about the college’s approach to early learning.

Inslee had a chance to tour the 5,000 square-foot building, which features large windows and many natural elements in a space that comprises a toddler classroom, a preschool classroom, an industrial kitchen, and a spacious family meeting area warmed by a stone fireplace.

It was in that family room that a small group of staff, parents, and students gathered with Inslee to share what makes Clark’s Child and Family Services (CFS) program special, including the focus on experiential education for children, the workforce training for students studying Early Childhood Education (ECE), and the unusual level of parental involvement.

Parents whose children are enrolled in the CFS program attend parenting classes each quarter. “The parent credit is very unique,” said Michele Volk, Director of Child and Family Services. “Families are the first and best teachers for young people.”

Lisa Trisler attended Clark’s CFS program as a child and later enrolled her own daughter, Laurel, in the program. “As a part of my daughter’s education, I participated in the classroom, I was involved with her teachers, and I gained additional knowledge as a parent,” said Trisler. “I was pulled right into her education. We wouldn’t have had this experience in a traditional preschool setting.”

Gov. Jay Inslee gives a commemorative coin from his last inauguration to Laurel Trisler while Laurel’s mother, Lisa, observes, in the building that her family helped fund.

Her family so appreciated their experience that Trisler’s parents, Jan and Steve Oliva, donated funding to help make the new Early Learning Center a reality. The state of Washington provided $1 million for the project on the condition that the college raise matching funds. The Olivas’ gift allowed the project to move forward.

“We are proud of our public-private partnership,” said Dr. Tim Cook, Vice President of Instruction. The program may need to reach out to more private donors in the future: While the Oliva Center is considered a model child care facility for the region, much of the Child & Family Studies program is still housed in older buildings that will need to be replaced.

Inslee expressed his plans to fund early childhood education through the state budget and emphasized the importance of making an early investment in Washington’s youth, noting that there is a legal imperative as well as a social one for investing in education—namely, the recent McCleary Decision on Public Education Funding and Reform, which ordered state lawmakers to fully fund public schools through the state budget and address disparities between districts.

“The McCleary decision doesn’t include early childhood, but we think it is vital,” said Inslee who has stated in the past that he considers early learning an important part of closing the opportunity gap. In 2015, Inslee helped pass the Early Start Act, which raised standards for early learning facilities statewide.

Inslee’s visit to Clark concluded with a tour of classrooms led by current ECE student Miranda Malagon and a look the Little Penguins Garden outdoor play area. Clark’s CFS program places an emphasis on outdoor learning and is one of the few preschool programs with a dedicated outdoor teacher.

Summer Brown, Clark College Counseling & Health Center employee and parent of 2-year-old twins enrolled in CFS, sees the value of CFS in both her own life and the community: “My children are taught by teachers of 30 years. Former graduates go on to be teachers themselves. There is a continuous effort to keep people involved in the community.

“My kids have really benefitted,” said Brown.

To view more photos of the Governor’s visit, please visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/clark_college/albums/72157679608103825

Photos: Clark College/Nick Bremer