Clark College hosted a delegation of ten visitors from Joyo City, Japan, Vancouver’s sister city, on July 11.
The visitors were welcomed to the college’s International Programs office by Clark President Dr. Karin Edwards, followed by a greeting from Jody Shulnak, associate director of International Programs. Michiyo Okuhara, Clark College Japanese language professor, translated the greetings.
Board of Trustees members Marilee Scarbrough and Suzanne Donaldson introduced themselves to the Japanese delegation. Then came introductions from other college leadership including Sabra Sand, Vice President of Operations; Dr. Michele Cruse, Vice President of Student Affairs; Dr. Brad Avakian, Vice President of Human Resources; Dr. William “Terry” Brown, Vice President of Instruction; and Calen Ouellette, Chief Executive Officer at Clark College Foundation.
Clark College Foundation, Clark College, Vancouver mayor and city councilors, the Vancouver Rotary president, and area business leaders visited Joyo, Japan during the week of March 13, 2023. Calen Ouellette joined Dr. Edwards and other local leaders on the Joyo trip to celebrate the connection between the two regions.
Clark College Foundation CEO Calen Ouellette said, “It was a pleasure to reciprocate the hospitality of our friends from Joyo and to welcome them to our campus.”
After gifts were exchanged and refreshments, two student ambassadors led the group on a brief walking tour of the campus, including.
Group photo while standing on the steps on the south side of Gaiser Hall
Hannah Hall 105 to see Michiyo Okuhara’s Japanese classroom
More than 100 Shirofugen cherry trees in the Royce Pollard Japanese Friendship Garden
The Clark College Bookstore, where delegates did a little shopping
A Bee Campus tour by Steven Clark, biology professor, in front of the STEM Building
Next, the Joyo visitors hopped on C-Tran’s bus sporting Clark College campus photos. They rode to Ridgefield, where they toured the new Advanced Manufacturing Center at Clark College at Boschma Farms, which is expected to open Fall 2025. This was the largest tour to the center so far.
During the delegation’s visit, they also toured Vancouver City Hall, the Vancouver waterfront, Washington State University Vancouver’s new science building, and attended a Ridgefield Raptors’ baseball game.
Learn more about Clark’s relationship with Joyo, Japan: Each April, Clark College hosts its annual Sakura festival that honors the historic ties of friendship between the sister cities of Vancouver, Washington, and Joyo, Japan. The free community event underneath a canopy of cherry blossoms is presented by Clark College, the city of Vancouver, and Vancouver Rotary. Read the Sakura 2024 story here: https://news.clark.edu/2024/04/sakura-festival-is-april-25/
Sister city relationship between Vancouver, Washington, and Joyo, Japan: https://www.cityofvancouver.us/about-vancouver/sister-city-joyo-japan/
Recently, Clark College was awarded a $2.2 million Title III Part A Strengthening Institutions Program grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The grant will provide Clark College with about $450,000 annually for the five years during the grant period through September 30, 2028.
About Clark’s Title III grant
The Title III program helps eligible institutions of higher education to become self-sufficient and expand their capacity to serve low-income students by providing funds to improve and strengthen the academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability of eligible institutions
Clark College will use the grant money to increase student completion rates through implementing data-informed, technology-enabled career pathways via three objectives:
Evaluate the effectiveness of programs and services to continuously adapt and improve.
Implement Penguin Path, an integrated student success model that connects each student with evidence-based practices that address their individualized needs.
Create flexible learning opportunities through a centralized career hub that integrates career information into course outcomes and increases equitable access to work-based learning opportunities for students.
Meet Clark’s Title III Team
Clark College has hired three project staff to manage the Title III U.S. Department of Education grant. Please welcome Byron Ford, project manager; Stephanie Leeper, career-connected curriculum liaison, and Jon Woofter, technology adoption and integration manager.
Byron Ford, Project Manager
Byron Ford is responsible for the day-to-day project management to ensure grant-funded projects move forward. He supports the project leads in their work to meet the grant objectives and collaborates with key personnel. His work includes ensuring the college stays within project scope and in compliance with Department of Education grant requirements.
Ford has worked for 16 years at three community and technical colleges in Washington: Bellingham Technical College, Green River College in Auburn, and Lower Columbia College in Longview, working in both instruction and student affairs. Most recently, at LCC he was integral in redesigning its advising program, overhauling the student onboarding process, establishing a one-stop center for students, and integrating the college’s student success technology. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree with a Flute Performance concentration and a Master of Education degree in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education, both from Western Washington University.
Contact Byron Ford: Bauer Hall 119, bford@clark.eduor 360-992-2409.
Stephanie Leeper is working with Clark faculty, staff, and local employers and partners to connect students with opportunities to enrich their career readiness through work-based and other career-connected learning opportunities. She is creating a virtual career hub that will connect Clark students with employers for work-based learning opportunities and career exploration.
Leeper worked for more than seven years at Washington State University Vancouver at Carson College of Business and in student affairs and enrollment. She planned orientations, career fairs, and experiential learning programs and developed business connections and employment engagement. Leeper holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree with a concentration in Personnel Psychology and Human Resources from Washington State University Vancouver.
Contact Stephanie Leeper: Gaiser Hall 206H, sleeper@clark.edu or 360-992-2647.
Jon Woofter, Technology Adoption and Integration Manager
Jon Woofter will implement technological solutions to further grant objects, will train Clark employees in those technologies, and work with Clark’s IT department, project leaders, and vendors.
Woofter spent 20 years in K-12 public education in Naples, Florida: first in the classroom and then in a series of administrative positions focused on curriculum, instruction, and school improvement. He has directed numerous large-scale technology adoption projects and trainings related to the thoughtful use of technology integration. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and Teaching from the University of Akron and a Master of Education in Educational Technology from American College of Education.
Director of Medical Assisting Sarah Kuzera (above, far left) stood in her classroom and held up a medical mannequin torso affectionately named “Roberta.” Sixteen middle- and high-school students watched Kuzera demonstrate how to remove surgical stitches and staples. Then it was their turn.
These students were among about 100 students who attended career pathways camps at Clark College during the week of June 25-28. Clark College hosted Health Care Pathway Camp and STEM Pathway Camp for middle- and high school students to consider careers in health care and STEM fields. Both camps were funded by Guided Pathways, Clark College Foundation, and Career Connect Washington. This was the second year these camps were offered to systemically non-dominant students1. Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks were provided, along with a Clark T-shirt.
“Guided Pathways is thrilled to support both the healthcare and STEM camps again this year,” said Rhianna Johnson, director of Guided Pathways and Partnerships. “Sparking interest in young minds is critical for helping students believe that college is a viable path for them. Providing exploratory opportunities to gain hands-on experience in these careers and learning pathways is a hallmark of equitable access, a foundational component of the Guided Pathways model.”
In each classroom and laboratory, students were provided instruction from Clark faculty and were offered opportunities to learn hands-on skills used in those careers.
Health Care Pathway Camp
The Health Care Pathway Camp was attended by about 70 enthusiastic students who spent one day in Clark’s Allied Health building at Washington State University Vancouver. Students were introduced to a variety of potential careers, including dental hygiene, emergency medical technician, health information management, medical assisting, nursing, pharmacy technician, and phlebotomy technician.
In the medical assisting classroom, students practiced removing surgical stitches and staples, used a cuff to check blood pressure, performed vision and hearing tests, and wrapped arms with casting material.
Students in the pharmacy technician classroom practiced counting pill blanks, making hand sanitizer in a simulated compounding pharmacy, and performing syringe draws in a protective hood.
In the phlebotomy technician classroom, students used syringes to practice injections into artificial venipuncture and injection arms and more.
In the nursing simulation laboratory, students performed CPR compressions on lifelike interactive patient simulators, practiced treating a deep wound, and more.
In every classroom and laboratory, students were engaged and asked questions as they learned about potential health care careers.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Pathway Camp
The STEM Pathway Camp partnered with Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) to introduce systemically non-dominant students1 to biology, engineering, chemistry, rocketry, surveying and geomatics, and more. During the free, two-day camp, 30 attendees participated in six activities. Campers also received breakfast and lunch.
Engineering Professor Carol Hsu mentioned that she noticed students were already making connections with each other and exchanging contact information during lunch on the first day of camp.
Activities included:
Dissecting a lamprey eel.
Creating plastics from corn and milk to compare the strength, durability, and biodegradability of them.
Using rocket kits to build their own tiny model rockets. They will have to wait to launch them at an approved park.
3D printing. Students created tiny, plastic objects ranging from spiders to penguins.
A compass scavenger hunt plus a contest to see who could guess the length of 100 feet.
Touring Clark College campus.
Students were treated to a panel discussion by current Clark MESA students, who talked about their educational journeys, career pathways, and how the staff and faculty helped to demystify college and STEM fields specifically.
Johnson said, “Guided Pathways funding supports opportunities like the Health Care Pathways Camp and STEM Camp to ensure that potential students have access to information and experiences that will help them make positive career choices and challenge stereotypes about who can benefit from jobs in the healthcare and STEM fields.”
Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish and Carly Rae Zent
Nursing Program
Isaac Aguilar (pictured above recieving his nursing pin from his mother) has a heart for helping people. After working as a certified nursing assistant and an emergency medical technician, he realized he wanted to be a nurse and enrolled in Clark’s well-respected nursing program.
As a nursing student, he completed a residency in a hospital intensive care unit and had another realization: “I really like connecting with families on their hardest day.”
No doubt Aguilar will be a stellar, dedicated nurse.
Aguilar and 26 fellow nursing students from Clark College’s 147th nursing cohort graduated on June 20. The following night, they gathered with their loved ones to celebrate their achievement during their pinning ceremony on June 21 in Gaiser Student Center. These graduates earned their associate of arts in Nursing DTA/MRP. Next, they will take their exam to become a Registered Nurse. Most of them shared their plans to continue their education and earn their bachelor’s degree in nursing, or BSN.
Benjamin Kramer, the student speaker, provided medical care in the U.S. Navy before he enrolled in Clark’s nursing program. He thanked his wife and their two daughters for their support while he focused on Clark’s intense, two-year program.
He told his fellow nurses, “A lot of the medicine we do is not glitzy, but it will pay dividends for our patients.”
Allie Bryant (above, right) received the Clinical Excellence Award, bestowed on a graduate who has shown exceptional clinical performance.
In accepting the award, she said, “I decided to become a nurse because of my grandfather. He would be so proud.”
Juliah Larson and her family.Meghan Strizak and her family.
Then it was time for the pinning ceremony. In turn, each graduate stood and was pinned by someone essential in their journey to becoming a nurse: parents, spouses, partners, siblings, children, and best friends.
Allie Bryant was pinned by her father.
Isaac Aguilar was pinned by his mother.
Juliah Larson was pinned by her husband, while she held their baby.
Simon Kirpa was pinned by his wife.
Alicia Beach was pinned by her friend, Jennifer, a nurse.
Katy Hammond was pinned by her mother, and her husband and their children stood at the ready with congratulatory hugs.
Timothy Allen was pinned by his partner, Davin Kortt.
Kayla Brosius was pinned by her parents.
Alicia Bjur was pinned by her young daughter, accompanied by her husband and son.
Timothy Allen with his partner Davin Kortt.
After all 27 new nurses had been pinned, they stood and in unison, recited the nursing pledge, pledging to uphold certain ethics and standards within their profession. It is a modified version of the Hippocratic Oath for doctors.
Nursing graduates already have applied for licensure in the state they want to work in. They have one final step to earn an “RN” after their name. They must pass a rigorous exam, the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-RN. It is a nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses in the U.S., Canada, and Australia.
Many of these nursing graduates shared their plans to continue their education. Many have transferred to Washington State University Vancouver and will begin working toward their bachelor’s degrees in the fall, thanks to a seamless transition between the two schools and their nursing programs. Others have chosen online programs. Many graduates are heading for a well-deserved vacation after completing Clark’s rigorous nursing program.
After the ceremony, nurses, their families, and supporters headed for the reception. Several families walked outside into the warm, sunny evening to take photos.
But still inside Gaiser Student Center, new nurse Vanessa Kuhn (above, left) posed for a photo with her family. Her young son was fidgety. And hungry. When were they going to eat, he asked? She reassured him that they could go to the reception and eat after they took a photo to remember this celebratory night.
A photo was taken, and nurse Vanessa Kuhn stepped toward her new career.
Megan’s Nursing Story
Megan Boucher(above) dreamed of being a nurse, but as the mom of three young boys, she stepped toward her dream gradually. First, Megan completed the phlebotomy certification at Clark. She worked as a phlebotomist for eight years before returning to Clark to complete her prerequisites for the nursing program.
Megan persevered through breast cancer treatment while completing her nursing degree and raising her children as a single mom. It’s been almost two years since her diagnosis, and she is responding very well to her treatment.
Now her sons are teenagers. Megan said, “My sons are my inspiration… Even when I want to give up, I know that they are watching and need their mom to be strong and not give up.”
Megan hopes that sharing her own story will encourage those going through difficult times to keep going.
At last, she’s reached her longtime goal: Registered Nurse, and has accepted her dream job as a hospice nurse at PeaceHealth’s Ray Hickey Hospice House.
She said, “My heart is with hospice nursing. I desire to provide emotional, physical, and spiritual care for my patients and their loved ones during the end-of-life process. It is an honor to be allowed to walk that road with them.”
Megan Boucher graduated winter term 2024, but she participated in the June 20, 2024, commencement ceremony.
History of Nursing at Clark
First nursing cohort to begin associate degree program: 1962
Number of total nursing graduates: 4,434
Number of nursing classes graduating: 147
Nursing Pledge
In full knowledge and understanding, I promise to care for the sick with all of the skill and understanding I possess, without regards to race, creed, color, politics, or social status, sparing no effort to preserve quality of life, alleviate suffering, and promote health. I will respect at all times the dignity and beliefs of the patients under my care, holding in confidence all personal information entrusted to me, and refraining from any action which may endanger life or health. I will endeavor to keep my professional knowledge and skills at the highest level and give loyal support and cooperation to all members of the health care team. I will do my utmost to honor the international code of ethics applied to nursing and uphold the integrity of the nurse.
Learn more about Clark College’s nursing program here.
Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish
Spaceport America Cup
Clark Aerospace stands with its Emperor Penguin rocket and other college rocket teams from 20 nations.
The Clark Aerospace team launched its rocket, Emperor Penguin, at the Spaceport America Cup competition in Las Cruces, New Mexico on June 19. The event is the world’s largest Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) for student rocketry teams. A total of 6,153 rocketeers representing 152 institutions in 20 nations participated in the June 17-22 competition. Clark College was one of only three community colleges that participated.
Arriving at Spaceport
Xiunu “Sophie” Lin, Ph.D., professor of physics and director of Clark’s Aerospace student program, sent this email greeting to all Clark staff and faculty from the event: “I am excited to share that the Clark College rocketry team, consisting of 11 travelers (2 advisors, 1 mentor, and 8 students, including 4 minorities—females and LGBTQ+) have all safely arrived in Las Cruces, New Mexico to compete in the 2024 Spaceport America Cup Competition. We will be competing in the SRAD (Student Researched and Developed Motor) 10,000-foot category.”
Clark Aerospace at 2024 Spaceport America Cup with Emperor Penguin rocket. Photo by Tahoma Photography
Clark Aerospace students who participated in Spaceport America Cup:
Ethan Lloyd Walters
Vyacheslav Timofeyevich Lukiyanchuk
Alex Ramsey Kari
Rebekah Anne Irvin
Mia Juniper Autumn
Sydney Anne Erickson
Max Vaughn Baugess
Bladen Boone Mitchell
Professor Lin said, “Applaud for these students for the hard work they put together to make this launch possible.”
Emperor Penguin launching during 2024 Spaceport America Cup.
Clark Aerospace rocket specs:
Spaceport America Cup team number: 19
Rocket name: “Emperor Penguin”
Length: 122 inches
Weight: 71 pounds
Professor Lin explained that each team must work efficiently and compete to launch their rocket as early as possible. Teams that launch during the first two days earn extra points. The Clark Aerospace rocketry team passed the safety check for their rocket on Monday, the first day of competition. They made the recommended changes on Tuesday, and had their rocket ready for launch on Wednesday, the event’s first launch day.
Launches are halted if the surface wind speed is higher than 18 miles per hour. Clark’s rocket was on the launch pad and ready to be launched when winds suddenly gusted up to 24 miles per hour, causing event officials to halt all launches until the wind calmed down. Five minutes later, launches resumed.
Professor Lin said, “The rocket’s M motor was armed, and after 5 to 8 seconds of delay, it took off beautifully, leaving a trail of black-brown smoke behind.”
She sent this email update to Clark faculty and staff: “Yesterday, we launched our rocket before a thunderstorm hit the launch area, destroying the majority of the tents, and halting the rest of the launches that day.”
She added, “As the team advisor, I want to share that our journey to complete this project has been challenging. I often describe my experience as riding a roller coaster. It is a significant achievement that we made it to this competition. Clark College’s rocketry team is the only community college competing in the 10K SRAD (Student Researched and Developed) category. Our students have put in tremendous time and effort to build this project, wandering through many failures before they can make this journey possible. They are proud and excited to represent Clark College in this competition.”
Fall 2023: A team of six Clark students, an advisor, and a mentor was organized by the Clark Aerospace program to build a rocket for the 2024 Spaceport America Cup. The team spent about six months building the rocket for the competition. After flight tests and modifications, they had a rocket ready for the competition.
Clark Aerospace stands next to their Emperor Penguin rocket at the launch pad.
April 19, 2024, in Corvallis, Oregon: First Static Test on a 4-grains SRAD (Student Researched and Developed) motor under the help and support from the Rocketry team from Oregon State University. The test was conducted using a structure assembled by our own students.
April 26, 2024, in Brothers, Oregon: First test launch of Clark Aerospace’s Spaceport America contender, Emperor Penguin in the central Oregon desert. Professor Lin said: “The rocket soared to an altitude of 7,200 feet before safely landing approximately 0.5 miles from the launch pad. Despite a glitch in the GPS system onboard the rocket, the team successfully located it utilizing a radio tracker, with an unexpected assist from a team member and her dog, who managed to find the rocket before the radio tracker.”
May 18-19, 2024, in Brothers, Oregon: Second Static Motor Test on a 4-grains SRAD motor that measured both pressure and thrust.
June 2, 2024, in Brothers, Oregon: Third Static Motor test of our SRAD 6-grain motor for the ERSA competition. Performed above expectations, with expected pressure and higher than expected thrust.”
June 19, 2024, in Las Cruces, New Mexico: At Spaceport America Cup: Clark Aerospace students successfully launch their rocket, Emperor Penguin.
Clark Aerospace
The next challenge for Clark Aerospace: Building their project to compete in the next Spaceport America Cup competition in June 2025. The team plans to make their own motor, build a six-inch diameter rocket, and compete in the SRAD (Student Researched and Designed) 10,000-foot category.
Interested in joining? Clark Aerospace is looking for interested Clark students to join them. No prior experience with rockets is required. Clark’s Aerospace Club actively participates in science, technology, engineering, and math-based experiential project/aerospace design competitions, and students also attend launch events, museums, and aerospace-related activities. Email Clark Aerospace at clarkaerospace1@gmail.com
About Spaceport America Cup
Spaceport America Cup is the world’s largest intercollegiate rocketry conference and competition held in Las Cruces, New Mexico annually in June at Spaceport America, the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport. Spaceport America Cup is made possible by a partnership between Spaceport America and the Experimental Sounding Rocket Association (ESRA).
The event showcases the technical prowess of thousands of the world’s most intellectually gifted college students centered around the field of intercollegiate rocketry. During the event, 36 awards were presented. The 2024 Spaceport America Cup winner was University of Maryland; runner up was Istanbul Technical University.
2024 Spaceport by the numbers
6,153 total participating rocketeers (77% male; 23% female)
152 teams
86 U.S. teams representing 35 states
66 international teams representing 6 continents
Teams represented 20 countries: Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, The Philippines, Poland, Romania, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States
Teams of engineering students stood outside the STEM Building engrossed in testing the transforming catapults they had designed and built. How many foam balls would their catapult successfully throw into the target buckets? Could their catapult quickly transform from stationary to mobile, and would it be fast enough to cross the finish line before the clock ran out?
Every term, Engineering professors Tina Barsotti and Carol Hsu pose a real-world problem to their students and instruct them to design and build an object that solves the problem. Teams of students work together. At the end of each term, teams present their prototype to their peers, explaining their process and materials used. Finally, teams test their designs.
The spring 2024 challenge: Design and build a transforming catapult with two stages: stationary and moveable.
Requirements:
The catapult must pass under a twelve-inch bridge and shoot foam balls into target buckets placed at various distances.
The catapult must remain stationary while shooting.
It must transform into a moveable form before and after shooting the balls.
A student may not push the catapult across the finish line.
Timed test: Five minutes maximum was allowed for their mobile design to move from the starting line to the testing center, to transform to a stationary catapult, then to propel foam balls at the target, to transform back into moveable form, and finally to cross the finish line.
Materials: Student teams used various materials to build their catapult. Popular choices included radio control cars, lightweight wood, balsa craft sticks, cardboard, plastic cups, springs, string, rubber bands, and wheels and axles from a toy car. Some teams used high-tech carbon fiber, PET-CF, and TPU 3D printing filament to create parts of their catapult vehicle. Although all catapults shared some characteristics, such as wheels, a base, a long arm, and a bucket, each catapult looked different from the others.
Most teams were outside the STEM Building awaiting their turn to test their project. But not all teams had completed building their design. Team Proto A and a few other teams who were finishing their catapults worked at tables in the collaboratorium. Students wielded drills, glue guns, duct tape, and string to put the finishing touches on their designs before taking them outside to test them in front of their professors and their peers.
Each team took a turn running their catapult transformer through the course while other teams watched, cheered, and offered encouragement. Now was the moment of truth for Team Proto T and its “Squirrel Defeater” transforming catapult. It completed the tasks and crossed the finish line with 12 seconds to spare.
Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish
Clark College’s 88th Commencement
Clark College honored its 88th graduating class at the 2024 Clark College Commencement ceremony on Thursday evening, June 20, at theRV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater.Over 640 graduates and their guests gathered with college faculty and staff to celebrate their achievements. This auspicious ceremony honored students graduating with their bachelor’s or associate degrees, and those earning certificates, high school diplomas, and/or GED completion.
2024 Commencement Highlights
Clark College conferred a total of 1,783 degrees and certificates on the next generation of our community’s workers, leaders, and scholars. This translates to the following:
President Dr. Karin Edwards, center with some of the Dental Hygiene BAS graduates.
2024 Degrees and Certificatesconferred included the:
Bachelor of Applied Science degree;
Associate in Arts degree;
Associate in Fine Arts degree;
Associate in Science degree;
Associate in Applied Science degree;
Associate in Applied Technology degree;
Certificate of Proficiency;
Certificate of Achievement;
Certificate of Completion;
High School Diploma; and
General Educational Development (GED) Completion
Student Speaker Ziyad El Amrani gives gets the graduates hyped up at commmencement.
Speakers at the 2024 Commencement included:
Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards
Clark College Board of Trustee President Cristhian Canseco Juarez, in both English and Spanish
Graduating Student Ziyad El Amrani, Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Management degree
CCAHE Faculty Union President and Professor of Communication Studies Suzanne Southerland
Clark President Dr. Karin Edwards touted recent Clark successes: enrollment has increased 10%, more in-person classes are being offered, student engagement has increased, and its new campus at Boschma Farms in Ridgefield is nearing completion.
After sharing the inspiring stories of three graduating students, Dr. Edwards said, “These are just three examples of the transformational power of a community college education. Graduates, whatever path your future takes you, the return on your investment is invaluable. You believed in yourself and invested in bettering yourself. The result is that everyone benefits. You, your family, your community, and the world benefit by having your well-educated mind at work. We congratulate and applaud you for your dedication, your hard work, and your sacrifice.”
Trustee Cristhian Canseco Juarez (pictured above) followed with these words, “What an accomplishment! Through your perseverance and hard work, you did it! Congratulations!” He added, “Many of you, like me, are the first person in your family to graduate from college. Did you know that about 45% of Clark students are the first in their family to attend college? You have sacrificed to make a difference for your family and your future… Penguins Class of 2024, tonight you begin an exciting new journey. Pursue your dreams, reach toward your goals—and make the world a better place. All of Penguin Nation believes in you.”
Transformed Lives
Before the commencement ceremony, students waiting outside the amphitheater shared their stories that spoke to the transformational power of education.
Clark Libraries employees earn degrees. Amanda Brown (pictured above third from the left in white robe), Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Management (BASAM): Brown is the program manager in Clark Libraries. She realized she would have more opportunities with a bachelor’s degree, so she worked full time while attending Clark full time and achieved her goal. Amanda stands with fellow Clark graduates Courtney Cichosz, a former Clark Libraries student employee, and current Clark Libraries employees Shay Walter and Bridgit Callaway.
Running Start students Lemman Gurre (DTA Biology & transferring to WSUV) and Aalaa Hassan (Biochemical Engineering & transferring to UW) and Nevaeh Fang (AA DTA & undecided)
A trio of Running Start studentsLemman Gurre, Aalaa Hassan, and Nevaeh Fangearned direct transfer associate degrees and are headed to University of Washington and Washington State University Vancouver to pursue bachelor’s degrees. Gurre plans to become a pharmacist; Hassan, a biomedical engineer. Fang is undecided.
Left to right: Slade Samson Griffith and Micah Turner earned DTA degrees. Griffith is first gen student adopted from Haiti-joined US Navy. Turner undecided.
Slade Samson Griffith, a first-generation college graduate who was adopted from Haiti, earned a direct transfer associate degree. He has joined the U.S. Navy and plans to continue his education after he has completed his military service.
Rachel Kreitel, (pictured above)had not completed high school, but 20 years later, she enrolled at Clark and earned her GED and then an associate degree in Nursing. She realized she wanted to pursue a career in human resources, so returned to Clark again to earn a Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Management.
Life got in the way for Elizabeth Rivera, and she hadn’t had an opportunity to graduate from high school.She has four children, ages 6 to 18, and has worked full time at an assembly job for 16 years. Rivera wants to move into a leadership position, so she enrolled in Clark’s Transitional Studies high school plus program full time while working 12-hour shifts Friday, Saturday and Sunday—and caring for her family. Now she plans to pursue a project management position and is considering returning to Clark to earn an associate’s degree.
The following were recognized during commencement
2024 Community College Presidents’ Award in honor of Val Ogden was received by Graduate Simon Kirpa (pictured above). This annual scholarship is awarded to a Clark College graduate who is transferring to Washington State University Vancouver. The recipient must demonstrate leadership potential, a commitment to community service, and academic achievement.
Kirpa joined the U.S. Army and served as a medic in Iraq, where he demonstrated his leadership skills and his ability to put patients at ease. He chose to continue pursuing medicine after completing his military service and applied to Clark’s nursing program. He completed this challenging program while balancing being a husband and father, caring for his mother, and volunteering weekly at his church to offer free meals to those in need. Despite his responsibilities, he consistently completed high-caliber work in his classes, performed his duties with diligence, and provided excellent care in hospital settings. At WSU-Vancouver, Kirpa will study to become an Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner and specialize in family medicine.
Thanks to the generosity of Clark College Foundation, the Presidential Scholarship taskforce selected two other recipients of a $1,000 scholarship each:
Alexandra Rose, associate of arts
Alita Sundberg
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society for two-year colleges selected the following graduating students for its All-Washington Academic Team, based on academic excellence and community service:
Addison Johnson, direct transfer associate degree in Bioengineering
Lisa Segretto, direct transfer associate degree in Psychology
Ethan Mahan, associate in applied technology degree in Medical Assisting; additional certification in Phlebotomy
Faculty and Staff Awards were also recognized during commencement
2024 Exceptional Faculty Award recipients:
Halina Brant-Zawadzki, Nursing
Sarah Luther, Mathematics
Sarah Blanchette, Human Services
Tanya Diaz-Kozlowski, Women’s Studies
Rebecca Engel, American Sign Language
Catherine Johnston, English as a Second Language
2024 Exceptional Classified Staff Award recipients:
Cheryl Davenport, Collections and Specialist, Library
Jennifer Lea, Program Specialist, Business department
2024 Exceptional Administrative Exempt Award recipient:
Vanessa Watkins, Director of Entry Services
2024 Lora Whitfield Social Equity Award:
Ezekial Wells, Program Specialist 3, Workforce Education Services
Clark College Diversity Center, International Programs, and Bachelor of Applied Science in Teacher Education program celebrated their graduating students at ceremonies on Thursday, June 13.
Diversity Center Graduation Ceremony and Reception
Graduates with Board of Trustees Chair Cristhian Canseco Juárez, Vice Chair Denise Gideon, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Vanessa Neal, and President Dr. Karin Edwards.
More than a dozen graduates were celebrated at the Diversity Center graduation reception. Systemically non-dominant graduating students (students of color, queer students, and students with disabilities) of Clark College and their families or support network participated in the college’s annual Diversity Center graduation reception to honor the hard work of graduates and uplift the support provided by family and communities.
The program presenters were:
Welcome: Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards
Opening remarks: Alum Kodi Findlay
Meaning of the stoles: Alyssa Montminy, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Keynote speaker: Eduardo Javier Ramirez-Guzman, Spanish Club President who is graduating on June 20
Flower ceremony: Rosalba Pitkin, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Closing remarks: Vanessa Neal, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Left to right: Alum Kodi Findlay and Eduardo Javier Ramirez-Guzman, Spanish Club President spoke at the reception.
Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Vanessa Neal, told graduates: “In our vision as a college one of the key components is being a beacon of hope, and it is you and your determination which truly serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration, not only for yourselves and families but also future generations.”
Jody Shulnak, associate director of International Programs, Maggie Li, International admissions manager, and Kristen Fowler, international programs coordinator, with some of the International programs graduates.
Clark College International Programs students, faculty, and staff gathered to celebrate the graduation of 16 students representing 12 countries. Four of the graduating students have earned bachelor’s degrees. The celebration also recognized students completing the Intensive English Language Program, scholarship recipients, students who engaged in Optional Practical Training work experiences, and International Peer Mentors.
Thomas Antis, Germany, AA Transfer DTA
Raju Chaudhari, India, Mechatronics
Tu Do, Vietnam, Dental Hygiene BAS
Isabella Kern, Austria, AA Transfer DTA
Ju Hyung Kim, South Korea, Dental Hygiene BAS
Emiri Sato, Japan, Web Development
Keyli Alvado Pineda, Costa Rica, AA Transfer DTA
Shedrack Mollel, Tanzania, Pre-Nursing
Huijun Tao, China, AA Transfer DTA
Chan Tran, Vietnam, AA Transfer DTA
Nacius Chamtany, Kenya, Pre-Nursing
Mercy Krugat, Kenya, Pre-Nursing
Sharon Kimani, Kenya, Pre-Nursing
Afnan Ajina, Qatar/Palestine, Engineering
Ami Teramura, Japan, Teacher Education, Bachelor (BAS)
Ziyad El Amrani, Morocco, BASAM
Jody Shulnak, associate director of International Programs, Maggie Li, International admissions manager, and Kristen Fowler, international programs coordinator, presented graduating students with colorful stoles representing their country’s flag. Students will wear these stoles over their robes at commencement.
“Each of you in this room took a giant leap of faith and invested a tremendous amount of effort to make your way to Clark College,” Shulnak told the students. “Today commemorates the many ways you have thrived here, and it is a privilege to be a part of your journey.”
Some of the graduating students shared their exciting next chapters. Six students are transferring to four-year universities to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Sharon Kimani has been accepted into Clark’s Nursing program. Raju Chaudhari, who is earning a Mechatronics degree at Clark, has accepted a job with Intel in New Mexico.
International Programs provides support services and opportunities to foster a global perspective and cross-cultural competence for Clark College and the communities it serves. The program also offers an Intensive English Language program. During the 2023-24 academic year, the college had 64 international students.
Clark College celebrated the first cohort of students graduating from its Applied Science in Teacher Education (BASTE) program at a moving pinning ceremony in Child and Family Studies. Family and friends gathered to support the graduates.
The five students graduating with a BASTE degree are:
Caroline Abernathy
Tammy Salazar
Olivia Stevens
Ami Teramura
Emily Thompson
Professor Sarah Theberge pins graduating student Caroline Abernathy during the pinning ceremony. Far left: Professor Michelle Mallory.
“As I think about the arc of the BASTE program from inception to the culmination of the first graduating class, I’m reminded of the ‘village’ it takes to bring forth the quality of this program these students represent,” said Sarah Theberge, Bachelor of Applied Science in Teacher Education and Early Childhood Education faculty. “There have been many voices embedded into BASTE and none more important than these fabulous five folx who have proven to be the finest of learners and have shared the gifts of their learning broadly in classrooms across our community. It’s a proud day for all of us.”
The Bachelor of Applied Science in Teacher Education (BASTE) degree program is a two-year program that leads to certification in preschool-through 8th grade and endorsements in bilingual education, special education, and early childhood special education.
Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish and Carly Rae Zent
Spring Fest 2024
The stress is high the week before finals. Clark students are studying, writing papers, completing projects, and wrapping up spring quarter. Many students are even finishing a rigorous degree program and preparing for commencement next week. No wonder students are feeling the stress!
Clark’s Activities Programming Board (APB) came to the rescue with Spring Fest, lunchtime fun activities on June 12 and 13. Students, faculty, and staff gathered near Anderson Fountain and the grass near the Chime Tower for fun activities and games—all for free. Some even brought their children to join in on the fun.
Students enjoyed:
Mini golf
Carnival games
Volleyball
Inflatable slides and obstacle courses
Giant Jenga and Connect Four
Airbrushed temporary tattoos
Balloon animals
Therapy llamas Beni and Panda for a fun photo opp
Free burritos and ice cream treats
And more
Students interested in joining Clark’s Activities Programming Board (APB) learn more here.
Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish and Carly Rae Zent
Bee Campus Talk and Tour
Biology Professor Steven Clark shows staff a bee he caught in the wildflower garden.
Thanks to Clark’s Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) for organizing a Bee Campus Talk and Tour with Steven Clark, biology professor and Bee Campus project manager on June 5.
The Teaching and Learning Center sent this invitation to faculty and staff: “We are buzzing with excitement to invite Biology professor and Bee Campus project manager Steven Clark back to spread the good news about Clark’s status as a Bee Campus. Want to learn more about what that means and how to get involved? Want to know how Clark students have participated in this very cool work? Want to learn fun things about bees and go for a stroll in a beautiful garden? Me, too! We will see you there.”
First, faculty and staff gathered in PUB 161 to learn so many interesting bee facts from Steven Clark. When Professor Clark asked people how many types of native bees live in North America, the lowest guess was 3. The highest was 300. What’s your answer?
Q: How many types of native bees live in North America?
A) 3 B) 80 C) 300 D) More
Professor Clark shared the answer: More than 600!
After sharing bee facts, bee habitat, bee life cycles, and much more about bees, Professor Clark led the group across Fort Vancouver Way to the bee garden outside the T Building. Clark’s campus has several bee gardens, thanks to Professor Clark’s leadership.
Clark’s wildflower gardens are abuzz with bees. Notice the orange balls of pollen on this bee’s body.Biology Professor Steven Clark catches a bee in the bee garden.
He caught a few types of bees and other pollinators in jars so that participants could get an up-to-close look. It was an amazing opportunity to learn more about bees and see our gardens of lovely wildflowers.
Clark students have contributed to our Bee Campus by performing bee surveys, building mason bee houses, creating information signs, and more. There are now interpretive signs at the bee gardens explaining and sharing of fun facts about bees.
If you haven’t seen the campus bee gardens yet, make time to do so. It’s best to visit on a warm day when it’s not raining. Professor Clark explained that when it’s cold and rainy, bees go dormant awaiting warmer temperatures.
