Clark College named Dr. William “Terry” Brown, a college administrator from Connecticut to serve as its Vice President of Instruction. Dr. Brown started on July 8, the first day of summer term. 

Dr. Brown is new to the Vancouver area. To transport their enormous Rhodesian Ridgeback dog “Chief,” Dr. Brown and his family drove more than 3,000 miles from Northford, Connecticut during the July heat wave. Despite the long journey and cross-country move, Dr. Brown has jumped feet-first into his role, meeting with leaders across the college, meeting a visiting delegation from Joyo, Japan, and touring the college’s new Boschma Farms facility during his first week on the job.

Learn more about the VPI Role | Professional Experience | Q&A: Fun Facts about Dr. Brown 

The VPI role 

As the senior academic officer of the college, Dr. Brown is responsible for the comprehensive academic landscape for all program development and assessment, in addition to leading a dynamic educational environment and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation for the college. Dr. Brown also will serve on the college’s Executive Cabinet, a leadership team led by the college’s president, Dr. Karin Edwards. 

President Edwards said, “I am excited to welcome Dr. Brown to Clark College. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in teaching and leadership in higher education, in addition to a demonstrated commitment to equitable student success.”  

Dr. Brown will oversee the college’s 650+ faculty members and over 100 academic and workforce programs including five bachelor of applied science degrees. The areas under the guidance of the VPI encompass five academic divisions, non-credit and workforce training, Library Services, eLearning, Faculty development/Teaching and Learning Center, Adult/Basic Education/ESL and Adult Literacy, outcomes assessment, accreditation, Guided Pathways, and academic support services.  

 “I am absolutely thrilled to be at Clark College,” said Dr. Brown. “Education is still the lynchpin for personal growth and economic success for our students and communities, and Clark College is at the forefront of making sure that anyone in our community has the opportunity to transform their lives and fortunes.” He added, “I look forward to joining the faculty, staff, and administrators at Clark in the impactful work we do for our students and communities.” 

Dr. Brown was hired after a nationwide search that included extensive interviews with a hiring committee, college leadership, and an open forum with the college community.  

Professional Experience 

He has invested more than 30 years working in higher education, in both teaching and leading in colleges in Connecticut, Delaware, Tennessee, and now Washington State. 

Previously, Dr. Brown was the Associate Vice President for Strategic Operations and Partnership Development at Connecticut State Community College, New Britain, Connecticut. Before that, he was the Chief Executive Officer for Gateway Community College in New Haven, Connecticut. 

Dr. Brown’s career in higher education also includes administrative positions at Naugatuck Valley Community College, Waterbury, Connecticut, at Housatonic Community College, Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Nashville State Community College, Nashville, Tennessee.  

Earlier, Dr. Brown was a full-time faculty member at a community college in Connecticut, and an adjunct faculty member at two colleges in Delaware and another in Connecticut.   

He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Florida, and a master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from the University of Delaware. He finished his professional training at Yale School of Medicine, completing predoctoral fellowships at Yale-New Haven Hospital and Yale Psychiatric Institute (now Yale-New Haven Psychiatric Hospital), and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Yale Child Study Center.  

A recognized higher education leader, Dr. Brown was named to the 100 Most Influential Blacks in Connecticut by the Connecticut chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for 2021. He was a member of the Class of 2023-2024 cohort of American Association of State Colleges and Universities Millennium Leadership Initiative.  

Q & A: Fun facts about Dr. Brown 

Q: Tell us about your family. 

A: My wife, Yulonda Brown (née Candelario), is a certified surgical technologist who is excited about all the fishing opportunities in Vancouver and the Pacific Northwest. She also is looking forward to an opportunity to visit Alaska. Our son, Zion, is a liberal arts college student with a deep interest in history, aviation, and photography, and he will be starting at Clark in the fall. Our Rhodesian Ridgeback, “Chief” enjoys long hikes, followed by a longer nap. 

Q: We hear you’re an avid cook.  

A: I do love to cook, particularly several regional styles of barbecue. I learn to cook anything I love to eat. I cook southern Soul Food, Southeast Asian, Italian, Creole/Cajun. Lately, I’ve taken to grinding my own meat for burgers and homemade sausages and making sourdough bread and pizza dough from scratch. 

Q: What other hobbies or sports do you enjoy? 

A: Hiking, SCUBA diving and snorkeling, travel. In my younger days, I was a pretty good volleyball player. I could play any position but loved being on backline defense or middle blocker. 

Q: Favorite music/genre?  

A: Soul and R&B from the late-80s and 90s: Boyz II Men, New Edition, Jodeci, and Dru Hill are some of my favorite artists. 

Q: Music/musician on your playlist?  

A: I have a huge celebrity crush on Cardi B. Her attitude and honesty are captivating! 

Q: Favorite book you read recently? 

A: “Martin Luther King, Jr., on Leadership: Inspiration and Wisdom for Challenging Times” by Donald T. Phillips (2000) 

Q: Favorite binge-watching? 

A: Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day every year, I binge-watch the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies from “Captain America: The First Avenger” to “Avengers: Endgame” (with “Deadpool” thrown in, just for fun!). 

Q: Favorite cities to visit?  

A: I always look forward to a chance to visit Washington, D.C. and New Orleans, Louisianna.  

Q: What is an interesting place you visited?   

A: A trip to the Hawai’i had been a dream of mine since I was a teenager, and we visited Oahu and the Big Island in June of 2021. From visiting Pearl Harbor and hiking Diamond Head, to hunting wild cattle, to seeing sea turtles on black sand beaches and being in the water with manta rays, it was the trip of a lifetime. 

Q: Favorite sports teams?  

A: Florida Gators, Dallas Cowboys (I met Tony Dorsett when I was 6 or 7 years old, and I have been Cowboys fan ever since). 

Q: What are you looking forward to exploring in the area? 

A: All the outdoor activities – hiking and fishing especially—and getting the chance to visit Portland, Seattle, and eventually, Alaska. 

Q: What was a memorable sight during your cross-country drive to start your new position at Clark College? 

A: Driving through the Columbia River Gorge and seeing Mount Hood rising up in the distance was quite a sight.  
(Editor’s note: Mount Hood is the highest point in Oregon at 11,249 feet, almost five times higher than Mount Frissell at 2,380 feet, the highest point in Connecticut.) 

Q: How did your family drive across the country from Northford, Connecticut to Vancouver, Washington during a July heat wave with your enormous Rhodesian Ridgeback, Chief, riding in the backseat?  

A: Slowly, over 11 days, with lots of breaks for walks! We drove an average of four to six hours per day—so not long, grueling hours driving. We stayed in dog-friendly hotels and provided ample opportunities for all of us to stretch our legs. 

Q: What are you enthusiastic about at Clark College? 

A: I am extremely excited about Clark College’s commitment to equity and social justice. Access to education is a civil right, and higher education is still the gateway to opportunity and success for so many members of our community. It is a privilege to be invited to serve here. 

Q: How do you prefer people to connect with you?  

A: I enjoy meeting people face-to-face whenever possible, but just connecting is the important thing.  Anyone is welcome to stop by and say hello, but I need to explore Clark and get to know the campus, so I’m happy to visit you in your space. 

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.edu or 360-992-2409.

Stephanie Leeper, Career-Connected Curriculum Liaison 

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.

Contact Jon Woofter: Bauer Hall 117, jwoofter@clark.edu or 360-992-2421.

Join the Clark College Foundation for PenguinsGive, our exhilarating 24-hour annual fundraising event on Thursday, April 25—which happens to be World Penguin Day!

This year promises to be our biggest and best yet, with over $50,000 in matching funds ready to double your donations. Whether you give to the Student Success Fund, the Innovation Fund, or any other area, your support will make twice the impact.

PenguinsGive Fun

Get into the PenguinsGive spirit! If you’re attending the Sakura Festival or bringing your child to work that day, don’t miss the fun at Andersen Fountain.

• Stop by our tent’s digital photo booth from 1:30-3:30 p.m. to snap some memorable selfies with Oswald.
• While you’re there, seize the opportunity to double your impact by donating to a cause close to your heart. Visit our Foundation table to chat with the O Squad and discover how your contributions during PenguinsGive directly enhance student success at Clark College.

Donation Matching

During PenguinsGive, gifts of any amount will be matched dollar for dollar. For example, a $50 donation turns into $100 for scholarships, $90 becomes $180 for STEM, and $150 transforms into $300 for the Music program, all thanks to our generous donors.

Donate Online Don’t miss out!

Support the Penguin Nation by visiting Clark College PenguinsGive and double your gift!

Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards delivered the annual State of the College address on February 14 in a packed Gaiser Student Center. The event originally was scheduled for January but was postponed due to a week of snow and ice. The space was filled with faculty, staff, students, members of the college’s board of trustees, Clark College Foundation staff and board members and community supporters.  

Emma Sturm, president of the Associated Students of Clark College (ASCC) kicked off the event and gave a report on increased student participation in college clubs and ASCC’s efforts to increase student engagement in campus activities.  

“It’s working!” Emma said. “More than 200 students participated in our ‘Barbie’ movie night.” 

Ray’s story 

Student and veteran Ray Jackson shared his Clark journey. After completing his U.S. Navy service, Ray enrolled at Clark in 2010, but he dropped out due to mental health issues, later diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. After working various jobs, he realized he needed more skills to be successful. His vocational and rehabilitation counselor at the Veterans Administration suggested he return to Clark College. 

So, in 2019, a decade after he’d started at Clark, Ray returned to Clark and earned an AAT degree in Machining Technology in June 2021, but realized he didn’t want to work in a machine shop with loud noises.  

Ray didn’t give up. He leaned into his interest in IT and earned his CompTIA A+ IT certification, an entry-level IT credential, which propelled him to return to Clark and earn an associate in applied technology degree in Network Technology in December 2023. Ray wanted to go further still. He returned to Clark yet again winter term 2024—this time to pursue a bachelor of applied science degree in Cybersecurity.  

Along Ray’s journey, he navigated college studies and parenthood with the help of several Clark College student support services, including the Veterans Center of Excellence, Disability Support Services, Advising Services, Financial Aid, Penguin Pantry, Counseling and Health Center, Child and Family Studies, and more. Ray thanked a long list of Clark programs, departments, and people for helping him be successful. 

Accomplishments and looking ahead 

During her speech, President Edwards announced that the college’s equity-centered strategic plan was approved by the college’s board of trustees last fall and provides a framework for all the college does. The new strategic plan is centered on students—to educate, empower, and elevate them to achieve their personal and professional goals. It also underscores a commitment to student success, empowerment, and equity. 

Community partnerships and philanthropy are essential for supporting student and college needs. President Edwards expressed gratitude for the ongoing support of Clark College Foundation and the community. Notably, a $1 million gift from the Cowlitz Indian Tribe will launch the Clark College Innovation Fund that will address pressing needs and drive innovation. Clark College Foundation has awarded more than $85 million over the past 50 years. This year alone, the foundation has awarded $2 million that directly assists more than 550 students.  

In addition, Clark has disbursed $24.5 million in financial aid from other funding sources, including state and federal grants and loans and community scholarships.  

Recently, the college was awarded a $2.2 million Title III Strengthening Institutions grant from the U.S. Department of Education primarily for increasing student completion rates. 

The college budget and its financial sources focus on supporting Clark College’s commitment to provide affordable education. Clark offers more than 100 degrees and certificates in over 70 programs, including 5 bachelor of applied science degrees. The annual tuition is $4,907 for 45 credits (during 3 terms). And 70% of Clark students transfer to four-year universities. 

Enrollment has increased by more than 10% this academic year compared to the 2022-23 academic year. Approximately 8,683 students enrolled during the Fall and Winter terms, translating to 5,932 full-time equivalent students. Increased enrollment is expected to impact the budget positively, reducing the need to use the fund balance as the college had to do in previous years during and immediately following the pandemic. 

New programs, degrees, and expansion of academic offerings are driven by community needs and workforce demands. The college will add a Civil Engineering Technology and Construction Management program, a Food Service Operations certificate, and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree that was recently approved on February 1. 

The programs under development include:  

• Clean Energy Technician program that will expand the college’s existing Mechatronic Technology and Automotive Technology programs to meet high-demand jobs. 
• Surgical Technician program will be the first in Southwest Washington. Pending final approval in May, graduates of the two-year program will earn an Associate of Applied Technology (AAT) degree in Surgical Technology.  

Additionally, the Advanced Manufacturing Center is currently under construction at the college’s Ridgefield location at Boschma Farms. Scheduled to open in fall 2025, this center will serve up to 1,200 students per term.  

Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives remain top priorities at Clark College. Achievements include increased diversity in hiring and ongoing professional development initiatives. In addition, the college organizes The Northwest Regional Equity Conference, now in its fifth year. The conference plays a pivotal role in promoting equitable experiences for historically underrepresented students and employees. 

Looking ahead, reflecting on the college’s achievements, President Edwards expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of faculty, staff, and the community. As Clark College looks toward the future, she said it remains committed to student success, expanding program offerings, and strengthening community partnerships. Clark College continues to be a beacon of opportunity and excellence in the region. 

Dr. Edwards said, “In a prior State of the College address, I drew inspiration from Michelle Obama’s memoir Becoming to frame our work here at the college. In her book, the former first lady emphasizes that becoming is an ongoing journey, not a fixed destination. I share her belief that maintaining the status quo leads to stagnation, and meaningful change requires breaking out of familiar patterns. She also said that ‘it is possible to have our feet planted in reality but pointed in the direction of progress. We may live in the world as it is, but we can still work to create the world as it should be.’” 

She said, “Today, I want to recognize our ongoing journey of becoming a beacon of hope, opportunities, and transformation rooted in social justice while providing excellent and equitable education.” 

Dr. Edwards added, “This journey hasn’t been without its challenges, including the ongoing effects of a global pandemic, declines in nationwide enrollment, and two years of substantial resource reductions, all while expanding services to meet the evolving needs of our students.” 

Then people gathered around for coffee, tea, and delicious heart-shaped cookies made by students in the Professional Baking and Pastry Arts program especially for the State of the College address on Valentine’s Day. 

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley
View more photos from the event on our Flickr Page.

At the construction site for Clark College at Boschma Farms, Oswald the Penguin arrived in style—riding in the back of a white Tesla hatchback, his penguin feet dangling, and his penguin arms waving to the crowd. 

Then he stepped down from the car and led the crowd to kick off the “topping out” ceremony at the Advanced Manufacturing Center, the first building being constructed at Clark’s new site located on 10 acres just east of the Ridgefield Junction at Interstate 5. Clark College in collaboration with developer and design-builder, Mortenson, hosted the ceremony on November 2. The event celebrated the structure reaching its full height.  

Guests had an opportunity to use gold or silver Sharpies to write their name and a message on a long steel beam temporarily suspended a few feet above the ground. The beam was painted Clark College blue and was topped with an American flag and a live, potted evergreen tree symbolizing persistence, prosperity and longevity.  

Then the crowd gathered under a large canopy to hear Clark College and Mortenson leaders speak about the importance of the project.  

Dr. Karin Edwards, president of Clark College said, “Just five months ago, we stood in this same place—and it was an empty field and an excavator.” She added, “The Advanced Manufacturing Center will enable future students with innovative training for careers in the manufacturing trades while also providing programs accessible to Ridgefield and the communities in north County. Our vision is for this progressive instructional center to serve our growing region and the critical workforce needs including advanced manufacturing.”  

Cristhian Canseco Juarez, chair of the Clark College Board of Trustees, said, “This Advanced Manufacturing Center not only stands as a testament to the college’s commitment to innovation and growth but also underscores our dedication to our community needs and providing the local industry with highly skilled workers.”  

After all guests had signed their names, a boom truck with a 50-foot mast began slowly hoisting the beam to the top of the structure. Meanwhile, four Mortenson ironworkers rode scissorlifts to the top of the structure, where they attached their safety harnesses. Then they guided the beam into place and secured it with spud wrenches and hefty bolts.  

The crowd clapped and whooped appreciatively.  

In less than two years, the Advanced Manufacturing Center will greet its first cohort of students. When it opens in the Fall of 2025, the Advanced Manufacturing Center will provide initial enrollment of 32 students in two cohorts of 16, with plans to eventually serve 48 students across three cohorts. In addition, this Clark building will also provide five general education classes with a computer lab that will have the capacity to serve up to 1,200 students per term. 

About the Advanced Manufacturing Center 

Designed to accommodate a multitude of both instructional and community needs, the Advanced Manufacturing Center will be adaptable for future growth. Manufacturing and classroom spaces will be designed for multiple delivery modes including lecture, collaborative, project-based learning, and hybrid models implementing online content and classroom application. The facility’s acoustic design will ensure that unamplified voice communication will carry above ambient machine noise.  

A noteworthy aspect of the project’s construction is the building’s prefabricated exterior walls which will soon be installed by the Vancouver-based team from contractor and fabricator, Western Partitions, Inc. The progressive design-build construction delivery method, spearheaded by Mortenson and in collaboration with Henneberry Eddy Architects, are instrumental to the successful implementation of the use of prefabrication in this project and its resulting efficiencies.   

“As we mark this critical milestone and reflect on the 155 days and roughly 19,000 hours of injury-free work, we underscore our commitment to timeliness and safety,” said Mike Dickey, senior project manager of Mortenson.  “I stand proud of everyone who has contributed to this project and extend a heartfelt thanks for a job well done.” 

On track to be a LEED Silver certified building, the Advanced Manufacturing Center will meet state energy performance standards, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve operational efficiencies. 

Advanced Manufacturing Center by the numbers 

Projected completion: Late 2024 

First classes to begin: Fall 2025 

Building size: 49,000 square feet 

• 3 industry-specific classrooms 
• 4 four labs 
• 5 manufacturing cells 
• A vast manufacturing floor 
• 5 general education classrooms 
• Plus faculty and student amenities 

More event photos visit our Flickr Page

Photos Clark College/Jenny Shadley unless noted otherwise

Clark College employees gathered on September 18 to kick off the 2023-24 academic year during Opening Day festivities at O’Connell Sports Center. During the event, the following staff members were recognized for their service to the college.

Years of Service Awards

Brad Avakian, vice president of human resources, presented the years of service awards to employees with 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years of service by reading their names. Employees with service more than 25 years were invited to come to the front to receive certificates. All years of service awards also come with monetary compensation based on the number of years served.

5 years:

Foundation: Dan Palow

Human Resources: Carrie Ann Gallagher

Information Technology Services: Yaremy Clara

Instruction: Kyle Anderson, Michiko Anderson, Bryan Blehm, Gabriele Canazzi, Jennifer Capell, Virginia Davidson, James Demartini, Charlotte Derkacht, Jason Eversman, Tyler Frank, Monte Gantka, Dr. Douglas Harris, Shawn Henderson, Christina Howard, Nami Inoue, Rachel Irvin, Ryan Jeannet, Dr. Soohyon Ji, Dr. Alan Koenig, Sarah Kuzera, Martha Lewis, Robert Long, Lucas Martin, Petra Redinger, Samuel Robinson, Christina Smith, Brogan Sullivan, Heidi Summers, Elizabeth Van Buecken, Katarina Wallis, Dr. Michelle Walty, Patricia Witherspoon

NWACC: Alexandra Young

Operations: Zhong Chai, Cody Claassen, Kevin Damore, Bradley Hansen, Bellamy Holt, Jeffrey Kaliner, Daniel Lane, Christopher Layfield, Lindsey Mckim, Julia Perdue, Seumas Ross, Katlyn Simpson, William Thompson

Student Affairs: Jorge Argueta, Yuliya Demyanyuk, Kimberly Forbes, Tisha Pasquinelli, Torin Tashima, Carley Willis

10 years:

Instruction: Dr. Roberto Anitori, David Benedicktus, Sascha Blocker, Bruce Elgort, Melanie Hendry, Grant Hottle, Garrett Hoyt, Deborah Jack, Chad Laughlin, Kenneth Luchini, Michael Ludwig, Sarah Luther, Dr. Nick Macias, Dr. Mika Maruyama, Natalie Miles, Deane Morrison, Kelly Pfeifer, Kristin Sherwood, Dawn Steele, Janice Taylor, Adriana Thomas, Caleb White, Beth Wulf

ODEI: Degundrea Harris

Operations: Eben Ayers, Julie Donovan, Tanya Kerr, Johann Langley, Everett Yu

Student Affairs: Kimberly Blahnik, Jessica Hash, Kevin Thomas

15 years:

Instruction: Robert Abrahamson, Sheldon Atwell, Scott Bailey, Angie Bailey, Marci Bohac, Rebecca Boyer, Tammy Boyer, Tony Chennault, Cheryl Davenport, Michael England, Jason Herz, Dr. Philip Jones, Timothy Kent, Dr. Shon Kraley, Michelle Mallory, Kaye Manchester, Ruby Moore, Erika Nava, Ying Nollette, Michiyo Okuhara, Archer Parr, Joshua Patrick, George Salos, Nicoleta Sharp, Suzanne Southerland, Jennifer Ward, Kristin Woitte

Operations: Vickie Malcolm, Richard Nevis, Jennifer Shadley

Student Affairs: Marla Derrick, Dr. Sabine Falkenberg, Michelle Mussen

20 years:

Information Technology Services: Alan Logsdon

Operations: Brandi Roberts

Instruction: Aaron Campbell, Lisa Conway, Jill Darley-Vanis, Deena Godwin, Karina Gress, Dwight Hughes, Lynne Nolan, Sherry Smith, Samuel Triebs, Wayne Utehs

25 years:

Instruction: Grace Anukam, Dr. Marylynne Diggs, Mary Evens, Christine Krug, Kathleen Mitchell, Douglas Smith, Mitchell Sott, Jeanette Steinmueller

35 years:

Instruction: Dr. Kelly Fielding

Operations: Jonni Hattershide

Exceptional Faculty Awards

The award honorees were announced at Commencement in June and were honored at Opening Day.

Exceptional Classified Staff Award

Exceptional Administrative Exempt Award

Lora Whitfield Social Equity Award

After Dr. Edwards handed Ezekial his award, shook his hand, and led the staff in clapping, she said, “I am thankful to each of you. I am pleased to see our colleagues recognized for their tremendous work. Congratulations to all our award winners and our employees who have demonstrated their dedication to Clark College over the years.”

Clark College employees gathered on September 18 to kick off the 2023-24 academic year during Opening Day festivities at O’Connell Sports Center.

Before staff entered O’Connell, they could stop by a Clark College Values table staffed by Student Ambassadors. They chose which of the values from the Strategic Plan they would like to focus on in their work this year, then attached the value card to a Clark lanyard. The six values are Social Justice, Partnerships, Innovation, Shared Governance, Continuous Improvement and Sustainability. Staff also could pick up a laminated pocket-sized Strategic Plan.

Inside O’Connell was a reunion atmosphere as faculty, staff, and board members reconnected.

The noise level rose in ever-increasing crescendos. The excitement was palpable. While staff members waited for the program to start, they:

• Enjoyed coffee and bagels hosted by IQ Credit Union.
• Stopped by the Clark College Foundation table to pick up an “O” Squad pin if they are donors.
• Got a new staff photo taken by Jenny Shadley from Communications and Marketing.

Welcome by Dr. Edwards

Wearing a blue baseball jersey with “Edwards” and the number “1” on the back, Dr. Edwards stepped up to the podium and welcomed staff to Opening Day. Dr. Edwards thanked IQ Credit Union for the morning refreshments. She also thanked Phi Theta Kappa students for organizing the school supplies drive, and faculty and staff for contributing to the drive.

Dr. Edwards introduced a video titled Penguin Executive Baseball that featured the college’s Executive Cabinet playing together as a team at Clark’s softball field. She talked about the importance of teamwork and working together to serve our students. Then she introduced her Executive Cabinet team members, who also sported baseball jerseys.

She announced two new funds Clark College Foundation is offering to our students:

• Clark College Innovation Fund serves as a catalyst for groundbreaking projects and transformative ideas within our campus community. Examples of potential initiatives include student-faculty research expeditions and the development of cutting-edge curricula in high-demand fields.
• Clark College Student Success Fund reinforces the college’s unwavering commitment to student success. It supports essential programs and wraparound services that have demonstrated a tangible impact on students’ well-being and educational achievements, such as financial advising, childcare assistance, rent relief, emergency grants, the campus food pantry, and transportation aid.

President Edwards discussed the equity-centered strategic plan, its tenets, and values. To learn more, visit https://www.clark.edu/about/governance/strategic_plan/.

Dr. Edwards closed by saying, “Here we are, at the beginning of a new academic year. Next week, we will welcome a new cohort of students who have put their trust in Clark College—and all of us collectively—to help them step onto a path toward succeeding in their academic goals, their careers, and in life.”

She added, “I recently came across a quote by author Michael Hyatt who said, ‘You lose your way when you lose your Why.’ I’m focused on the importance of our work and our ‘Why’ – its value in our lives, for our students, our teams, and our community. Like me, I hope you will remain sure-footed in your reason for being here and that we create a Community of Care for each other. As we begin this year, let’s not forget the joy, passion, and dedication that led us to this work and to Clark College.”

• Details of the Staff and Faculty Award Recipients
• Student Video 1: How do you define Clark College?
• Student Video 2: How does Clark College create a sense of community?
• Student Video 3: How have Clark College faculty and staff supported you?

ASCC 2023-24 President Emma Sturm introduced this year’s student government representatives.

Then she told her own story of being a returning student: “Coming back to Clark College has been one of the best decisions of my life so far. When I came back, I knew I wanted to be involved on campus and participate in clubs, which was something I hadn’t done the first time I had been at Clark.”

Board of Trustees Chair Cristhian Conseco Juarez spoke on behalf of the trustees: “We are committed to being a leader in inclusive excellence that strengthens the Southwest Washington community and is integral to our communities culturally, economic, and educational vitality. The hard and heart work that is done by our leadership team, faculty, and staff—all of you–contributes to making this tenet achievable. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to thank each of you for all you do and for making Clark College an inclusive and welcoming place for all.”

At the end of the program, Oswald led the way for a group photo taken by Jenny Shadley, who was situated in a high lift south of Scarpelli Hall, followed by a box lunch provided by Clark College Foundation in the courtyard by Anderson Fountain.

Opening Day is part of a multi-day orientation and training for faculty organized by the Clark College Teaching and Learning Center (TLC). The keynote address was given on Tuesday, September 19 by emareena danielles, who led work related to reducing harm, rebuilding trust in the educational system, and maintaining the humanity and dignity of students in the classroom. Danielles is the author of Building a Trauma-Responsive Educational Practice: Lessons from a Corrections Classroom.

Download a copy of the photo here.

Clark College welcomed a new trustee and said farewell to an outgoing trustee at its June 7 Board of Trustees meeting. 

Board President Paul Speer and Clark President Dr. Karin Edwards welcomed Marilee Scarbrough to its governing board and thanked Trustee Rekah Strong, who has served on the board for a decade. She is the executive director of Educational Opportunities for Children and Families.  

Dr. Edwards said, “Rekah has been a champion for Clark College. She cares deeply about students and their families and promotes education as an equalizer for those who have been marginalized. Her intentional actions and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion have fostered meaningful cultural change during her tenure here.” 

Marilee Scarbrough, an attorney, has been general counsel for the Vancouver School District since 2011. Previously she served as the policy and legal services director for Washington State School Directors’ Association, and attorney for the Washington State House of Representatives’ Higher Education Committee. Scarbrough holds a Juris Doctor from University of Oregon and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from Whitman College.  

“I am excited to serve my community in this new role,” said Trustee Scarbrough. “I look forward to working with the Clark College board and administration to inspire learners to excel, transform lives, and strengthen our increasingly diverse community.”

2023-24 Board of Trustees 

• Chair Paul Speer
• Vice Chair Cristhian A. Canseco Juarez 
• Jeanne Bennett  
• Denise Gideon 
• Marilee Scarbrough 

About Clark College Board of Trustees 

Each of the five members of the college’s Board of Trustees is appointed by the governor of Washington and serves a five-year term. They must live within the college’s service district, which includes Clark, Skamania and western Klickitat counties. 

The board seeks to ensure the quality and relevance of college programs and provides stewardship of public resources. The board is responsible for strategic planning, development and approval of college policies, and approval and oversight of the operating budget. Learn more here. 

Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Bruce Elgort, a professor in Clark College’s Computer Technology department, was granted tenure unanimously by the Clark College Board of Trustees on May 24. 

Tenure is awarded by the college’s trustees based on professional excellence and outstanding abilities in their disciplines. The granting of tenure is based on the recommendations of tenure reviews 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 evaluations by the faculty member being considered, the tenure review committee, students, supervisors, and peers. The final decision to award or withhold tenure rests with the Board of Trustees. 

Bruce Elgort earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in electrical engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey. He earned his Master of Science in engineering management from New York University, New York.  

Experience in the field 

Prior to teaching, Bruce worked for more than three decades in the field, including Elguji Software (founder/CEO); Sharp Microelectronics (strategic business operations, IT manager), and Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (office services and IT manager, manager of marketing and communications, and electrical engineer). In addition, he was an independent international consultant for more than a dozen clients including Price Waterhouse Cooper, US Social Security Administration, US Department of Agriculture, Washington State Department of Transportation, Honda and more. Bruce is recognized by IBM and Amazon Web Services for being an innovative thought leader in cloud and artificial intelligence technologies. 

Bruce joined Clark College in 2012 as a Computer Technology instructor. He serves on the Universal Design committee and Advanced Manufacturing committee. He is called on by staff and faculty as an accessibility expert. Bruce has received the Exceptional Faculty Award twice. 

Teaching philosophy  

You’ll find this technology professor working hard to inspire and challenge his students with meaningful web development and programming experiences. Bruce loves to tinker and test the boundaries of existing and emerging technologies, to then guide hungry minds through memorable, educational journeys to showcase with passion the ever-evolving innovations of society.  

Photos provided by Bruce Elgort

Nine outstanding educators were granted tenure unanimously by the Clark College Board of Trustees. They were honored at a college reception on May 16. These newly tenured faculty members are:

• Katy Anastasi, Libraries
• Dr. Tanya Diaz-Kozlowski, Women’s Studies
• Wade Hausinger, Welding
• Mark Keats, English
• Jesse Kysar, Engineering
• Alejandra Maciulewicz-Herring, Medical Assisting
• Marisol Moreno Ortiz, Libraries
• Tom Olsen, Digital Media Arts
• Amy VahnDijk, Nursing

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.

Katy Anastasi, Libraries

Katy Anastasi earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in American studies from Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota and her Master of Library and Information Studies from Queens College (City University of New York) in New York City. She began her career working in community college libraries in 2018 as an adjunct librarian and Open Educational Resources (OER) fellow at Borough of Manhattan Community College. After moving to Oregon in 2019, she began working at Portland State University as a reference librarian and OER publishing assistant.

Katy joined Clark College in Fall 2020 as a tenure-track reference and instruction librarian. She co-leads Clark College’s OER steering committee and serves on the library’s user experience committee, as well as the Clark College Faculty Excellence Award committee. Since 2020, she has worked collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students to develop culturally relevant academic library collections and library services for incarcerated students and their instructors at Larch Corrections Center. She received Clark’s Faculty Excellence Award in 2022.

Tanya Diaz-Kozlowski, Ph.D., Women’s Studies

Tanya Diaz-Kozlowski earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin Parkside, Kenosha, Wisconsin in 2001 and her Master of Science degree in college student personnel from Eastern Illinois University, Charleston in 2003. She earned her Ph.D. in education policy, organization and leadership with a focus in social and cultural foundations coupled with certificates in gender and women’s studies and Latino/a studies from The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2015. She supervised, advised, and mentored students and co-created programs in residential life, Greek life, orientation, and cultural programs at Eastern Illinois University and at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 2001-2008.

Tanya has diverse experiences teaching and advising undergraduate and graduate students, creating department level curricula and assessments, and teaching interdisciplinary undergraduate/graduate courses in gender, women’s, and sexuality studies and Latinx studies from teaching, advising, and mentoring students at Illinois State University and The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Over the last three years, Tanya has published peer-reviewed articles in The Association of Mexican American Educators Journal, The Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education, and The Journal of Lesbian Studies.

Tanya started teaching at Clark College in Fall 2020. She completed the Teaching Squares program in 2021 and the college’s BUILD Program in 2022, a yearlong employee development program providing intensive training in power, privilege, and inequality.

William (Wade) Hausinger, Welding Technology

Wade Hausinger has worked in the welding industry for his entire career. He first learned welding, drafting and blueprint reading as an Evergreen High School student. At Clark College he earned his GED and completed leadership skills training. He has worked in the welding industry since 1989 and was certified for industry-related professional training on the job. He starting as a welding fabricator and working his way up to pipe fitter/welder, pipe shop foreman, shop welding foreman, and metal fabrication foreman. His former employers include Christensen Shipyard, Electro, Cascade General Shipyard and GI Welding.

Wade began teaching welding at Clark College in 2017 as an instructional technician and became an instructor the following term. He made tenure track in 2020.

Mark Keats, English

Mark L. Keats earned his Associate of Arts degree in English from Howard Community College. He then earned a Bachelor of Arts in Japanese language and literature and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from the University of Maryland, College Park. He began teaching at Howard Community College and taught for six years before returning to graduate school, where he earned a Ph.D. in literature and creative writing from Texas Tech University. He taught for one year at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas before accepting a job at Clark College.

He began teaching at Clark College Fall 2020 as a tenure track candidate. He currently serves on the literature committee. He has participated in English and campuswide professional development and training.

Jesse Kysar, Engineering

Jesse Kysar earned an Associate of Science Transfer degree in physics at Lower Columbia College in 2011. He transferred to Washington State University in Pullman, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics and a Bachelor of Science degree in material science and engineering, both in 2014.

While he was enrolled at WSU, he worked as a student researcher. After he graduated, he worked as an engineer I, industrial applications at nLight, which produces high-power semiconductor lasers and fiber lasers. He also worked as a mechanic and heavy equipment operator in the construction industry.

Jesse began teaching at Clark College as an adjunct faculty member in Fall 2018, then worked as temporary full-time faculty before starting his tenure journey in 2020. In addition to teaching in the engineering department, he also teaches materials science in the welding department. At Clark, he serves as the department lead in program outcomes assessment. He is one of two faculty experts on the advanced manufacturing curriculum leadership team.

Alejandra Maciulewicz-Herring, Medical Assisting

Alejandra Maciulewicz-Herring earned her Associate of Arts degree in pre-nursing at Clark College. She also earned a Certificate of Proficiency, medical assistant, Concorde Career College, Portland; Certificate of Proficiency, emergency medical technician, Linn-Benton Community College, Albany, Oregon; and an American Association of medical assistant certification.

Her career in the healthcare industry includes working as a medical assistant, pediatrics medical assistant, and an administrative medical assistant in internal family medicine, physical therapy, and pediatrics clinics. Her former employers include Allergy Clinic, Internal Family Medicine, Columbia Asthma & Allergy, Creekside Medical, Stargait Physical Therapy, and Miller’s Family Pediatrics.

Alejandra began teaching full time at Clark College in Fall 2020. She is involved with outreach events to promote the college’s Allied Health programs.

Marisol Moreno Ortiz, Libraries

Marisol Moreno Ortiz earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Oregon State University in Corvallis, a Master of Arts in English from Portland State University in Portland, and a Master of Library and Information Science from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisianna. Before entering her full-time library position at Clark College, Marisol worked part time at the library at Linn-Benton Community College, where she also taught information literacy and supported student learning.

Marisol began her current full-time position at Clark College as reference and instruction librarian in Fall 2020. She serves on a tenure committee and is a supportive member of the OER steering committee. Marisol is a mental health advocate, privacy advocate, and focuses on diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice in librarianship.

Thomas Olsen, Jr., Digital Media Arts

Thomas Olsen, Jr., earned his Bachelor of Science degree in political science from the University of Oregon, Eugene, and his Master of Fine Arts degree in film and television production (emphasis in film and television producing) from Chapman University, Orange, California. He is a documentary film producer through his company Anchor Pictures. Thomas also has taught at Portland Community College, Portland State University, Warner Pacific University, and The Art Institute of Portland.

Thomas began teaching at Clark College in Fall 2020 as a tenure-track professor. He serves as the advisor for the college’s Cinema Club and on the digital media arts advisory board. Thomas also volunteers for the Cannon Beach Historical Society and Museum.

Amy VahnDijk, Nursing

Amy VahnDijk earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing at Washington State University Vancouver and her Doctor of Nursing Practice as a family nurse practitioner at Washington State University. Before entering the teaching profession, she worked as a family nurse practitioner at The Vancouver Clinic. Amy has more than a decade of professional nursing experience.

Amy began teaching at Clark College in 2020 as a tenure track tenure candidate. She currently serves on the nursing library committee and nursing tenure track hiring committee.

Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley