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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Dianne Lucia

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

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

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

After a nationwide search, Clark College has announced the hiring of two new members of its Executive Cabinet. Dr. Michele Cruse was named Vice President of Student Affairs and Paul Wickline was named Vice President of Instruction. Dr. Cruse is starting in the position in November and Paul Wickline will begin on January 3, 2022.

“These are two crucial roles at the college, overseeing the two units with the most direct contact with our students—either in class settings or through student services,” said Clark College President Karin Edwards. “Michele and Paul are both highly qualified professionals who will be able to provide leadership and stability to the college.”

Both positions were filled after nationwide job searches and extensive interviews with hiring committees, college leadership, and open forums with the college community.

About Dr. Michele Cruse 

Dr. Michele Cruse has been serving as Interim Vice President of Student Affairs at Clark College since October 2020. Prior to coming to Clark, she served as Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs and Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Experiential Education at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford in Pennsylvania. A native Pittsburgher, Dr. Cruse earned her associate degree from the Community College of Allegheny County, her bachelor’s degree in public administration from the University of Pittsburgh, her master’s degree in public administration and nonprofit management from Portland State University, and her doctorate in community college leadership from the Oregon State University.

Dr. Cruse’s work experience includes both faculty and staff positions at Portland Community College, including dean of student development. She has owned her own business and served as co-founder of an organization focused on workshops and education for community members, women, disenfranchised youth, and those in alternative education.

At Clark College, Dr. Cruse leads Student Affairs, a unit that includes a wide range of services and programs including enrollment services, athletics, career services, international programs, financial aid, disability support, the Veterans Resource Center, and the Counseling and Health Center, among others.

Dr. Cruse lives in Vancouver with her husband, Michael. They have three adult children.

“I am very excited and feel very honored to work alongside dedicated Clark College leaders as the Vice President of Student Affairs,” said Dr. Cruse. “It’s my ultimate goal to ensure that we provide students with a campus environment where every student feels valued, respected, and included while pursuing their academic goals.”

About Paul Wickline 

Paul Wickline brings with him many years of experience in both teaching and leading in a variety of educational settings. He began his educational journey at Edmonds Community College studying vocal music. From there, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Education degree from Western Washington University and his Master of Education degree from Central Washington University. He is currently working on his doctoral dissertation in the Higher Education Leadership program at Portland State University.

Wickline began his teaching career as a high school English and drama teacher in Walla Walla, Washington. He then began teaching theatre at Walla Walla Community College. In 2008, he moved to the College of the Canyons in Southern California, where he served in a series of roles that brought increased leadership: faculty member, department chair, faculty outcomes and assessment coordinator, Academic Senate President, dean of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Assistant Vice President of Educational Pathways, and finally Associate Vice President of Instruction. He is a past faculty fellow of the Association of American Colleges and Universities Collaborative Project and a mentor in the Association of California Community Colleges Association mentorship program.

Wickline and his wife, Karol Matson, are relocating to the Vancouver area this winter.

“I am humbled and honored to serve alongside the exceptional faculty, staff, and administrators as the next Vice President of Instruction at Clark College,” Wickline said. “Clark College has an outstanding reputation for providing students with quality career and academic preparation to meet the evolving needs of community, business, and industry. I look forward to collaborating with Clark colleagues to best support our students.”

This article originally misidentified the institution where Dr. Cruse earned her doctorate. It was corrected on Nov. 22.

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program today announced that Dr. Karin Edwards, president of Clark College, is one of 25 leaders selected for the 2021-22 class of the Aspen New Presidents Fellowship. This program supports community college presidents in the early years of their tenure as they aim to achieve higher and more equitable levels of student success. The Fellowship’s philanthropic partner is JPMorgan Chase. 

The 25 Aspen Fellows, who lead colleges that collectively serve more than 280,000 students, were selected through a highly competitive process. Starting later this year, the Fellows will engage over nine months in residential sessions and virtual learning to develop strategies to meet their goals for student success and equity with data to assess challenges and progress. 

“We continue to learn how the best community colleges improve outcomes for students and close persistent race- and income-based equity gaps,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the College Excellence Program. “This year’s fellows have demonstrated their commitment to achieving excellent and equitable student outcomes, and we are eager to work with them as they join Aspen’s network of more than 100 fellows who serve as community college presidents.” 

“I’m honored to join the 2021-2022 Aspen Institute New Presidents Fellowship, working with 24 other presidents nationwide to increase student success with a focus on equity and excellence here at Clark College and other campuses across the U.S.,” said Dr. Edwards. “This is a tremendous opportunity.” 

As community colleges grapple with the impact of COVID and enrollment declines, turnover among presidents remains high.  Aspen is committed to helping prepare the next generation of exceptionally capable and highly diverse leaders through its fellowship programs for new and rising presidents.  This new class of Aspen Presidential Fellows is 48 percent female, and 64 percent are people of color.  Located in 18 states, their institutions too are diverse, from a tribal college with fewer than 500 students to an urban college that educates more than 35,000 each year. 

“Community colleges play a critical role in helping to prepare young adults and incumbent workers for in-demand jobs of the future,” said Monique Baptiste, Vice President and Head of Jobs & Skills for Global Philanthropy at JPMorgan Chase. “Ensuring that the leaders of these institutions are equipped with the support and training they need to develop equitable student success is an integral part of building capacity over the long-run. JPMorgan Chase is proud to partner with the Aspen Institute to build the next generation of exceptional college leaders as they work to advance the prosperity of the diverse communities and students they serve.” 

JPMorgan Chase funds the Aspen Presidential Fellowship as part of New Skills at Work, a five-year, $350 million investment to prepare for the future of work and meet the growing demand for skilled workers, including support for community colleges and other pathways to great careers and economic mobility. 

The 2021-22 Aspen New Presidents Fellows  

• Rebecca Ashford, Chattanooga State Community College (TN) 
• Seher Awan, Los Angeles Southwest College (CA) 
• Vincent Bowhay, Independence Community College (KS) 
• J.B. Buxton, Durham Technical Community College (NC) 
• Karin Edwards, Clark College (WA) 
• Angélica Garcia, Berkeley City College (CA) 
• Veronica Garcia, Northeast Lakeview College (TX) 
• Tracy Hartzler, Central New Mexico Community College (NM) 
• Greg Hodges, Patrick Henry Community College (VA) 
• Stephanie Kashima, West Valley College (CA) 
• Georgia Lorenz, Seminole State College of Florida (FL) 
• Kimberlee Messina, Spokane Falls Community College (WA) 
• Rachel Pokrandt, Umpqua Community College (OR) 
• Christy Ponce, Temple College (TX)  
• Omid Pourzanjani, San Joaquin Delta College (CA) 
• Monte Randall, College of the Muscogee Nation (OK) 
• Anton Reece, West Kentucky Community and Technical College (KY) 
• Ángel Reyna, Madera Community College (CA) 
• Claudia Schrader, CUNY Kingsborough Community College (NY) 
• Ricky Shabazz, San Diego City College (CA) 
• Ron Slinger, Miles Community College (MT) 
• Willie E. Smith, Baton Rouge Community College (LA) 
• Russell Swagger, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College (WI) 
• Justina Wilhelm, Iḷisaġvik College (AK) 
• Jermaine Williams, Nassau Community College (NY) 

Founded in 1933, Clark College provides residents of Southwest Washington with affordable, high-quality academic and technical education. It is a public community college offering more than 100 degree and certificate programs, including bachelor’s and associate degrees; professional certificates; high school diplomas and GED preparation; and non-credit community and continuing education. Clark serves a wide range of students including high school students, displaced workers, veterans, parents, non-native English speakers, and mature learners. Approximately three-quarters of its students are in the first generation of their families to attend college. Learn more at www.clark.edu.  

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program aims to advance higher education practices and leadership strategies that significantly improve student outcomes. Through the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the Aspen Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence, and other initiatives, the College Excellence Program works to improve colleges’ understanding and capacity to teach and graduate students, especially the growing population of low-income students and students of color on American campuses. For more information, visit highered.aspeninstitute.org and follow us on Twitter at @AspenHigherEd.  

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most important challenges facing the United States and the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners. 

About JPMorgan Chase 

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $3.7 trillion and operations worldwide. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, JPMorgan Chase & Co. serves millions of customers in the United States and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under its J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com. 

Most staff at Clark College will be largely unavailable to the public while they participate in a collegewide staff training on Tuesday, August 17 and Wednesday, August 18. 

Classes will continue as normally scheduled. Additionally, the following services will be available:

• Child & Family Studies (child care)
• Computer lab (by appointment only)
• Library Services (response times to some emails may be slower than normal)
• Security & Safety
• Tutoring Services

However, most other offices and services–including Enrollment Services, the Bookstore, and the Cashier’s Office–will be closed these two days.

This training will help staff to improve their skills and systems so that they can better serve students and the community in the future.

Find more information about Teaching and Learning days on the Clark College website.

Clark College announced today its plans for fall term and the first phase of its return to on-site operations.  

Earlier today, President Karin Edwards announced the following: 

• The college will strongly encourage students and employees to get vaccinated against Covid-19, but will not require vaccinations.   
• For the time being, everyone on campus must wear an appropriate face covering and observe social distancing requirements, which are now 3 feet in most circumstances. This policy (and the exact definition of safe social distancing) may change as fall term progresses, based on evolving guidance from the state.   
• Additionally, the college will continue with its plan for a gradually phased-in restoration of on-site activities and operations, with some employees, services, and events returning during fall term, and more employees, services, and events returning in the 2022 winter term.  

In spring term, the college announced that roughly one-third of its fall classes would have an on-campus component. 

The college’s decisions follow guidance from Gov. Jay Inslee’s proclamation covering higher education, which was issued on June 30 and revised on July 12. They also incorporate feedback from the college’s staff and faculty unions, student government, and interdepartmental planning groups focused on the college’s recovery and return to on-site operations. 

“Our students and our employees need to know the college’s way forward in order to plan for the future,” said Dr. Edwards. “At the same time, we need to remain ready to adapt to the ever-evolving realities of this pandemic and its effects. We will continue to carefully monitor the situation and provide information about fall term as we further develop our plans–always with a focus on equity, access, and the safety of our whole community.” 

Additional information about the college’s decisions for fall term can be found at www.clark.edu/covid-19.  

Clark College has announced the hiring of Galina Burley in the role of Executive Vice President of Operations. She will begin at the college on July 8.  

Burley was hired through a nationwide search. She will be entering a newly created position which oversees college operations including facilities, business, finance, security and safety, marketing, communications, and auxiliary services. 

“Galina brings a breadth of experience and significant skill in leading complex organizations. Additionally, Galina demonstrated her understanding, appreciation and commitment to social equity and inclusion,” wrote Clark College President Karin Edwards in an email announcing the hire to the college community. “This position serves a crucial role at the college, especially as we recover and plan our post-Covid future.” 

Burley (pronouns: she/her/hers) immigrated to Vancouver, Washington from Sochi, Russia with her parents in 1991. Her history at Clark College began soon afterward, when she began taking English as a Second Language classes and then went on to earn her associate degree. Burley also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Concordia University and a Master of Public Administration from Troy University. In addition, she earned certification in High Performing Organizations from the University of Virginia and is a 2012 alumna of Leadership Clark County. 

Burley’s previous work experience includes leadership roles at the City of Norfolk, Clackamas County, and the City of Portland. Most recently before joining Clark College, she served as Clark County Parks and Lands Manager. She has received an award for leadership from the American Association of Public Administrators of Hampton Roads; the Golden Ivan Award for her work with the Slavic refugee communities in Oregon and Southwest Washington; the President’s Recognition Award from the Crime Prevention Association of Oregon; and nomination as a Woman of Achievement by Washington State University Vancouver. Burley identifies as Armenian-Russian-American. In her free time, she enjoys reading, volunteering, and spending time with her family.  

“It feels very special to return to the Penguin Nation, where I began my educational journey and learned English,” said Burley. “I look forward to sharing my experience and lifelong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion with our college community. I also hope that my journey will inspire others to join Clark College, where we will help you discover your greatest potential.” 

Dear College Community, 

As members of the Board of Trustees, we want to add our voices to the many who are expressing sorrow at the passing of our fellow Trustee, Jane Jacobsen. 

Those who knew Jane will remember her warmth, her kindness, and her seemingly limitless capacity for positive energy. Jane would show up with fresh baked shortbread cookies just because she was thinking of us. Whenever there was a college event, you could count on Jane to be in attendance, joyfully participating in any activity offered. Whenever we had the opportunity to engage with students, Jane was the first to congratulate them on their successes and let them know she believed in their capacity to build better futures for themselves.

She also unwavering when it came to making difficult decisions. When there was critical work to be done, Jane would diligently roll up her sleeves and get to it. 

Whatever your role at the college, you have probably been touched by Jane’s work. During her two terms as a trustee at Clark College, she served in many roles, including Board Chair from 2019 to 2020. She also served on the college’s Presidential Search Advisory Committee, Social Equity Advisory Council, Guided Pathways Committee, and as an alternate Legislative Action Committee Representative to the Washington State Association of College Trustees.   

Perhaps what we will miss most about Jane is her foundational belief in the power of community. She was always there to remind us that whatever decisions we made about Clark College would have profound effects on the entire Southwest Washington region. The Clark College Board of Trustees commits to honoring Jane’s memory by holding her love for our community at the center of all we do.    

It was a true honor and privilege to work with Jane. Her presence will be truly missed.   

With loving memories, 

Clark College Board of Trustees 

• Rekah Strong, Chair
• Jeanne Bennett, Vice Chair
• Cristhian A. Canseco Juarez
• Paul Speer

Today the college community learned that Clark College Trustee Jane Jacobsen had passed away over the weekend.

“Jane became a Clark College trustee in 2016, and throughout her two terms on the Board she was an indefatigable cheerleader for the college,” wrote Clark College President Karin Edwards in an email to the college community announcing the news. “She liked to say that Clark was ‘the community’s college,’ because to her, uplifting and positively impacting the community was the most important and valuable part of our mission.”

A resident of Vancouver for more than 30 years, Jacobsen had profound impact on the region. She served in leadership roles with such organizations and projects as The Columbia Land Trust, the Marshall Lecture Series, the Columbia Gorge Commission, as well as many others.

Of the many achievements in Jacobsen’s life, the one her name is perhaps most closely connected with is Confluence. Jacobsen was the founding executive director of this ambitious nonprofit project to express the history of the Pacific Northwest through art and Indigenous voices. The Vancouver Land Bridge, located within Historic Fort Vancouver, is a Confluence installation.

During her two terms as a trustee at Clark College, Jacobsen served in many roles, including Board Chair from 2019 to 2020. She also served on the college’s Presidential Search Advisory Committee, Social Equity Advisory Council, Guided Pathways Committee, and as an alternate Legislative Action Committee Representative to the Washington State Association of College Trustees.

“I know Jane touched the lives of many people at the college—including my own—and I know she will be missed,” wrote President Edwards in her email.

An email from the Board of Trustees the college community read in part: “Those who knew Jane will remember her warmth, her kindness, and her seemingly limitless capacity for positive energy. Jane would show up with fresh-baked shortbread cookies just because she was thinking of us. Whenever there was a college event, you could count on Jane to be in attendance, joyfully participating in any activity offered. Whenever we had the opportunity to engage with students, Jane was the first to congratulate them on their successes and let them know she believed in their capacity to build better futures for themselves.”

• Read the Board of Trustees’ full letter
• Read an article in Partners Magazine about Jane Jacobsen’s motivations for supporting students
• Listen to an interview with Jane Jacobsen about her work with Confluence
• Read the Columbian‘s obituary of Jane Jacobsen

A public Celebration of Life is scheduled for June 15 at 11:00 a.m. in Esther Short Park. Confluence has also created a tribute page where people can share their memories of Jacobsen and have their condolences forwarded to the family. Survivors include her husband, Paul, her sons, Ben and Gabe, a daughter-in-law, Allison, and two grandsons, Henrik and Emmett Jacobsen. 

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Clark College has announced the hiring of Brad Avakian in the role of Vice President of Human Resources. He will begin at the college on June 10.  

“We are excited to bring someone with Brad’s breadth and depth of knowledge into this crucial leadership position at the college,” said Clark College President Karin Edwards. “His expertise will be crucial as we begin the complex work of returning to campus after more than a year in remote operations.” 

Avakian earned his bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University and his doctorate of law from Lewis & Clark University. For many years he worked as a lawyer specializing in civil rights cases. Later, he served in the Oregon House of Representatives and the Oregon Senate representing parts of northeast Washington County. Avakian also served three terms as Oregon’s Commissioner of Labor and Industries, during which time he was a strong advocate for career and technical education programs, as well as for equity for women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Since leaving public service, Avakian has taught Politics and Public Policy for Managers in Willamette University’s MBA program and worked in private practice as a mediator and arbitrator. 

“Clark College is a historic school with an exciting and bright future,” said Avakian. “I am so grateful for the chance to join the Human Resources team and broader Clark Community. It’s good to be a Penguin.”