Four outstanding educators are the newest members of the tenured faculty at Clark College. Darcy Kennedy (chemistry), Nick Luisi (nursing), Olga Lyubar (health information management), and Richa Sharma (communication studies) were all granted tenure during the Clark College Board of Trustees meeting on March 9. They will be honored at a college reception later in the spring.

Tenure is awarded by the college’s Board of Trustees based on professional excellence and outstanding abilities in their disciplines. The granting of tenure is based on the recommendations of tenure review committees to the vice president of instruction, which are then forwarded to the president, who presents a final recommendation to the Board of Trustees. Recommendations are based on self-evaluations, tenure review committee evaluations, student evaluations, supervisory evaluations, and peer evaluations. The final decision to award or withhold tenure rests with the Board of Trustees.

About the faculty members

Darcy Kennedy, chemistry

Darcy Kennedy earned her Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Claremont McKenna College (Claremont, California) and her Master of Science degree in chemistry from the University of Washington. Before entering the teaching profession, she worked as a chemist and research technician at companies like Coffey Laboratories, TCI America, and Xerox. She has experience teaching at both Portland Community College and Clark College.

Kennedy began teaching at Clark College in 2012 as an adjunct, moving into a full-time position in 2014. She currently serves as representative for the college’s faculty union and on the college’s Social Equity Advisory Committee. Additionally, she was part of the first cohort of the college’s BUILD program, a yearlong employee development program providing intensive training in power, privilege, and inequity.

Kennedy described her teaching philosophy in the following terms: “Each student brings a different level of ability to the classroom community. Each student must then be provided with the level of support they require to be successful and accountable to themselves and the community.”

Nick Luisi, nursing

Nick Luisi earned his Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing from Raritan Valley College in North Branch, New Jersey. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and his Master of Science in Nursing online from Capella University; both these degrees were focused on nursing leadership. He achieved the rank of Captain in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, from which he retired in 2015. Additionally, he has more than 15 years of work experience as a nurse in private hospital settings.

Luisi has teaching experience at Raritan Valley Community College and at Clark College. Since coming to Clark in 2018, he has participated in the Instructional Planning Team, the Nursing Scholarship Committee, the Outcomes Assessment Committee, and the college’s Queer Employee Resource Group.

“My teaching philosophy is to offer a challenging and inclusive classroom setting to support the values, beliefs, and individual differences of our students to become compassionate and progressive advocates within nursing,” Luisi said. “I strive to appreciate and embrace the experiences, talent, and gifts of each student as they are guided along their journey to enter the field of nursing, through creating a safe environment free from judgment while helping them explore different views and beliefs to support personal and professional growth.”

Olga Lyubar, health information management

Olga Lyubar is a Clark College alumna who attended the college as a Running Start student. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Informatics and Health Information Management (HIHIM) from the University of Washington. After graduating, she worked for a company focused on sharing health information online. Later, she worked in multiple roles in a skilled nursing facility, serving as manager of the medical records department, responsible for staff development, and responsible for the podiatry and dental clinic, as well as the outpatient clinic.

In 2016, Lyubar returned to Vancouver and to Clark College, where she began teaching in what was then called the Business Medical program (now called Allied Health). She also has teaching experience at Portland Community College. At Clark, she currently serves as the director of the Health Information Management (HIM) program. She also serves on Evergreen Public Schools’ Medical Services Advisory Committee and on Washougal School District’s Health Sciences Advisory Committee.

Lyubar describes her teaching style as learner-centered and teaching-focused. “In my classroom, both the instructor and students are constantly learning from each other,” she said. “I believe that the best way to learn is by active learning.”

Richa Sharma, communication studies

Richa Sharma earned her Master of Business Administration degree from Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management in New Delhi, India. She earned her master’s degree in communication studies from Portland State University. She has teaching experience at both Portland State University and Clark College and has worked as a senior associate intercultural trainer for the Portland-based consultant agency TsaiComms.

Since joining Clark College in 2008, Sharma has worked to develop intercultural competence both within the Communication Studies Department and in the college. This work included a yearlong Intercultural Capacity Building Program that collaborated with speakers from across Clark College to support her department’s faculty, as well as work to build culturally responsive teaching models as part of the college’s move to a Guided Pathways model of higher education.

Sharma said that she strives to “provide all my students with a learning environment that not only opens their minds to new knowledge and skills in a particular field of study for economic vitality, but also encompasses a broader worldview to raise their awareness toward responsible global citizenship.”

 As part of its commitment to energy efficiency and sustainable practices, Clark College will be closed to the public March 21-25.

One of the ways this commitment is fulfilled is by a “soft closure” of most buildings and services for two separate weeks per year. A soft closure means some programs close entirely, some work remotely, and some remain on campus. 

The first soft closure was the week of December 20-24, 2021, and the second is March 21-25, 2022.     

Below please find a summary of college services during the March 2022 closure period.

Athletics 

• Surveillance testing appointments only. Closed to the public.

Bookstore 

• March 21-25: Closed to the public, no appointments will be scheduled.  
• March 21-23: Limited staff will be on site processing student online orders only. 

Business Services 

• Will remotely maintain normal operating hours 

Cashiering 

• Limited services will be available remotely. Student payments can be made online in CTCLink. 

Central Services 

• Open normal operating hours. 

Child and Family Services 

• Open 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

Communications and Marketing 

• Will remotely maintain normal operating hours 

Community and Continuing Education  

• Test Center is closed and employees will work remotely.  

Counseling and Health Center 

• Closed 

Emergency Management 

• Normal operations  

Environmental Health and Safety 

• Normal operations  

Events Services 

• Will remotely maintain normal operating hours.     

Facilities Services 

• Normal operations 

Food Service 

• Closed 

Human Resources 

• Will remotely maintain normal operating hours. 

Information Technology Services 

• Phone support will be remote 
• SHL open computer labs will be available by request 
• TecHub will be remote 
• Limited staff will cover in-person tasks at SHL 
• All critical services teams will be remote, but will be on campus if there is an incident 

Library Services 

• Closed, working remotely 

Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

• Diversity Center will be closed to the public.
• ODEI will remotely maintain normal operating hours.

Office of Instruction 

• Will remotely maintain normal operating hours 

President’s Office 

• Will remotely maintain normal operating hours 

Production Printing  

• Closed 

PUB/GHL Offices 

Advising, Care & Conduct, Career Services, Enrollment Services, Disability Support Services, Welcome Center, Financial Aid, Financial Wellness, International Programs, One Stop, Penguin Pantry, Student Life, Veterans Resource Center, VPSA, Workforce Education Services 

• Closed to the public, working remotely  

Security 

• Main Campus:  Remains staffed 24/7/365. 
• Columbia Tech Center: Monday, March 21, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. only. CTC will be closed the rest of the week.
• Lost and Found: Closed 

Tutoring Centers 

• Closed 

Other Clark College locations 

• The Clark Center at WSU (CCW): Closed 
• Clark College at Columbia Tech Center (CTC): CTC security onsite; other staff work remotely. Testing center is closed.  

Clark College’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for community colleges, has been hard at work this year. Two of its members have been nominated to the All-Washington Academic Team, and the chapter took top honors in PTK’s regional Hallmark Awards.

“I am so excited that our chapter is being recognized at the regional level and I’m looking forward to attending [the annual PTK conference] Catalyst in April to see how we rank internationally,” said PTK advisor Darci Feider, who earned a regional PTK Paragon Award for new advisor. The chapter also ranked No. 1 regionally for its college project (supporting a fall return to campus) and distinguished theme, and No. 3 for its Honors in Action project. Additionally, three officers–Isabel Henkes, Jadyn Pahlka, and Nathan Pham–were recognized with regional awards. See the full list of regional awards here.

In addition to these regional awards, earlier this year Clark College President Karin Edwards was named a PTK Paragon President.

Alpha Sighma Phi (the name of Clark College’s PTK chapter) has even more accomplishments to celebrate. Two of its members have been nominated to the 2022 All-Washington Academic Team. On May 12, students Anne LeGrave and Jordan Peterson will represent Clark College at the 25th annual All-Washington Academic Team ceremony, honoring 80 students from Washington State for their academic excellence and community service.

Top students from 33 of Washington state’s community and technical colleges will be honored at the annual ceremony, which will be held virtually on Zoom; each receives a medal and a $225 scholarship from KeyBank and becomes eligible for additional scholarships from private sponsors as well as transfer scholarships from four-year colleges and universities. Gov. Jay Inslee, who will be providing a video speech for the event, will also issue a signed proclamation declaring May12, 2022 to be All-Washington Academic Team Day.

Read more about both students below.

Anne LeGrave

Anne LeGrave has had her share of challenges trying to pursue her education during the COVID-19 pandemic. A single mother, she has had to take online classes while caring for her toddler daughter. However, she hasn’t let those challenges keep her from her dream of earning a college degree in business administration. Described by one professor as a “model student,” she continues to earn good grades while working to build a better life for herself and her daughter.

Jordan Peterson

Jordan Peterson is a Running Start student attending Clark College while still high school, with a passion for supporting her community. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced her school to move to remote learning, she realized some of her classmates were having trouble adjusting. She created an online study group that allowed students to connect with each other and overcome technological and academic challenges. Jordan is pursuing a degree in biology as part of her plan to become a doctor.

In theatre, they say, timing is everything. And now, at long last, the timing is right to bring back live dramatic productions to Clark College. After moving to remote operation due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the Clark College Theatre Department returns to in-person performances at Decker Theatre, with a collection of one-act plays running March 10-12.

“We are elated to return to live theatre,” says Theatre department chair Dr. Gene Biby. “After nearly a two-year hiatus, our students are thrilled to be rehearsing and performing once again. This production is six sketches that include a cast and crew composed of current and former Clark College students.”

All in the Timing is a collection of six one-act plays written by David Ives. Winner of the John Gassner Playwrighting Award, the collection has been described by the New York Times as “like sketches for some hilarious, celestially conceived revue. The writing is not only very funny, it has density of thought and precision of poetry.”

All in the Timing runs March 10, 11 & 12 in the Decker Theater, on Clark College’s main campus. Visit www.clark.edu/maps for maps and directions. All performances are at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $5 and tickets can be purchased through the Clark College Bookstore. Seats will be assigned upon arrival. Social distancing and mask requirements are in effect for these performances.

This show contains adult themes, language, and content and is recommended for a mature audience.

Full cast and crew

Sure Thing 

• Directed by Linda Owsley
• Cast:  Andrew Poletto and Dani Neblock                                                               

Words, Words, Words 

• Directed by Sterling Buck
• Cast:  Neil Wade Freer, Colby Conerly, and Lizzy Swanson

Variations on the Death of Trotsky 

• Directed by Travis Beagley
• Cast: Sterling Buck, Ariel Huntley, and Andrew Poletto

The Philadelphia 

• Directed by Lila Soelberg
• Cast: Andrew York, Brenden Kinnee, and Madison Harris

The Universal Language 

• Directed by Autumn Fivecoats
• Cast:  Lizzy Swanson, Neil Wade Freer, and Vic Paxman

English Made Simple 

• Directed by Dani Neblock
• Cast:  Ariel Huntley, Vic Paxman, and Corey Harper

Shelly Williams contributed to this article.

The Clark College Columbia Writers Series continues its 2021-2022 season with writer and critic Lincoln Michel. This event, which is free and open to the public, will be held virtually on Thursday, March 3, 10:00-11:00 a.m. The event will be held on Zoom (passcode: Clark).

Lincoln Michel’s debut novel, The Body Scout (Orbit), was named one of the ten “Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Books of 2021” by the New York Times. He’s also the author of the story collection Upright Beasts (Coffee House Press) and the co-editor of the anthologies Tiny Crimes and Tiny Nightmares (Catapult). His fiction appears or is forthcoming in The Paris Review, Granta, NOON, Lightspeed, and elsewhere. His essays and criticism appear in the New York Times, The Guardian, and Lit Hub, among others. You can find him online at lincolnmichel.com and @thelincoln.

Readers can request Lincoln Michel’s books Upright Beasts (2015) and The Body Scout (2021), among others, through Clark College Libraries or find them at Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries and Multnomah County Library.

The Columbia Writers Series was launched at Clark College in 1988, bringing local, national and international authors to the college and the region. This year’s lineup of authors will continue with award-winning poet Morgan Parker on May 12.

Individuals who need accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event should contact Clark College’s Disability Support Services (DSS) Office at 360-992-2314 or 360-991-0901 (VP). The DSS office is located in room 013 in Clark’s Penguin Union Building.

Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards was recently named a Paragon President by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK). The award recognizes college presidents who have shown support of student success initiatives leading to stronger pathways to completion, transfer, and employment. They have taken an active interest in supporting students, including high-achieving students and developing student leaders on campus.  

“This award is especially meaningful to me because I was nominated by our students,” said Dr. Edwards. “Nomination and selection for this award is recognition that PTK and other students know they have my support.” 

To be eligible for this award, college presidents and CEOs must be new in their role, having served less than three years. Recipients are nominated by students on their campus and are only eligible to receive the award once. These 20 recipients were selected from among 426 college presidents, chancellors, and CEOs eligible to receive this award. 

“These college presidents have students-first leadership styles and have made it a priority to keep students engaged throughout the pandemic,” said Phi Theta Kappa President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “Their nomination is evidence of the gratitude their PTK students feel for supporting them and students like them—even during the most difficult times.”  

All PTK Paragon Presidents will be recognized during PTK Catalyst 2022, the Society’s annual convention in Denver, Colorado, on April 7-9. 

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. Learn more at www.clark.edu.  

Clark College expressly prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, citizenship, immigration status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal in its programs and activities. Learn more at www.clark.edu/nds. 

About Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.  

High school students can learn how to take the next step in their education by attending one of three optional Virtual Running Start Information Night sessions hosted by Clark College. 

The identical sessions will be held 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8; Wednesday, Feb. 23; and Thursday, March 10. All three events, which are free and open to the public, will be held virtually over Zoom.  

Running Start allows eligible juniors and seniors to earn college credit while they fulfill their high school graduation requirements. Running Start students attend Clark classes along with other college students. They can choose from a full range of academic and professional and technical courses. 

The program, which can significantly reduce the cost of a college degree, has proven popular in Southwest Washington. Some Running Start students are so motivated that they earn their associate degree from Clark at the same time that they earn their high school diploma. These annual information nights frequently attract hundreds of interested students and parents.  

These information sessions are for students and families who want to know more about beginning the program in Fall 2022. While the sessions are completely optional, they are a good opportunity to hear current Running Start students candidly describe their experiences in the program and to learn about the program benefits, eligibility criteria, expectations, timelines, and more.  

An American Sign Language interpreter, live captioning, and Spanish/Russian interpreters are available for all event dates. Additionally, sessions will be recorded and made available in March at www.clark.edu/runningstart.  

Running Start students pay for books, transportation, and some fees, but do not pay full Clark College tuition. Students can attend part-time or full-time under the Running Start program. Fees are subject to change by the Washington State Legislature. A fee waiver is available for those demonstrating financial need.  

Individuals who need 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) as soon as possible. 

For more information on Running Start, visit the Clark College website at www.clark.edu/runningstart. For information about Running Start Information Nights, call 360-992-2078.  

Clark College is honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a day of virtual events on Wednesday, January 19.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Black Wellness: A Day of Healing.” Find Zoom links and additional details at www.clark.edu/cc/mlk. Events include:

Black Education Leaders Panel Discussion

Learn more about leading at educational institutions
9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

Meditative Stretching: Keyonda McQuarters

Join us for guided practive all levels welcome
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Lunch

Free lunches (selection of pork, chicken or portobello) available for pick up at the McClaskey Culinary Institute, no advanced orders, first come first serve, while supplies last.
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Keynote speaker: Velynn Brown

We Shall Overcome: Reflections on the Spiritual Practice and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Governor Jay Inslee has appointed Denise Gideon to the Clark College Board of Trustees. Gideon is a seasoned healthcare leader with an extensive record of service to communities. She is currently the System Vice President of Operations & Program Integration at PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Washington, where she also serves as the executive sponsor for the Black and Allies Network Group.

“I have an affinity for community colleges and would not be where I am today if it hadn’t been for getting my first degree from Berkeley City College,” said Gideon.

Gideon’s service to the community includes participation as a board member of Educational Opportunities for Children & Families of Southwest Washington, an officer of the Joyce Finley Foundation, a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and as a volunteer coordinator for Rebuild Together Portland.

Previously, Gideon’s professional career spanned leadership roles at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland and at Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland, as well as at the Alameda Alliance for Health. She is the former co-chair of the Board of Directors of St. Martin De Porres Catholic School and is active in faith communities wherever she lives and works.

Gideon served as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the U.S. Army during Desert Storm and received her undergraduate degree in Organizational Management from Patten University in Oakland, California. She subsequently received an M.B.A. in Business Administration, emphasizing strategy, from John F. Kennedy University in California.

Gideon began her term on November 19 and is filling the position left vacant by the death of Jane Jacobsen in May. Her term runs until September 30, 2024.

“Denise is an exceptional addition to the Clark College Board,” said Rekah Strong, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Her executive experience of mergers, acquisitions, and workforce, as well as her background in the medical field, will bring a much-needed form of acumen to our board.”

The Board of Trustees consists of five members appointed by the Governor of Washington. Members serve five-year terms and must live in the college’s service district. The Board is responsible for strategic planning; development and approval of college policies; and approval and oversight of the operating budget.

Nursing professor Dianne Lucia was granted tenure during the Clark College Board of Trustees meeting on December 8.

Tenure is awarded by the college’s Board of Trustees to faculty based on professional excellence and outstanding abilities in their disciplines. The granting of tenure is based on the recommendations of tenure review committees to the vice president of instruction, which are then forwarded to the president, who presents a final recommendation to the Board of Trustees. Recommendations are based on self-evaluations, tenure review committee evaluations, student evaluations, supervisory evaluations, and peer evaluations. The final decision to award or withhold tenure rests with the Board of Trustees.

Lucia will be honored at the 2022 tenure reception on May 25.

About Dianne Lucia

Dianne Lucia earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Portland State University and her Master of Science in Nursing degree from Western Governors University. Additionally, she earned a Certification in Healthcare simulation from Boise State University in 2021. She has work experience in orthopedics, pediatric, and labor and delivery nursing at many local healthcare facilities including Providence Medical Center, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Southwest Washington Medical Center, PeaceHealth Southwest Washington, and Legacy Salmon Creek.

A resident of Vancouver, Lucia first joined the faculty of Clark College as an adjunct professor in 2005. She began teaching full-time in 2015. At the college, she oversees the program’s state-of-the-art simulation lab, a teaching tool that has had even greater importance during the COVID-19 pandemic when students had difficulty getting hands-on practice in clinical settings.

“I believe the most important role I have as a teacher is to promote a safe learning environment,” said Lucia. “I believe that experiential active learning is the most effective teaching approach. Simulation remains one of my favorite teaching strategies because it improves critical thinking through reflective learning.”