The Veterans Resource Center at Clark College received a $449,460 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education to establish a Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success (CEVSS) over three years. Clark is one of only two community colleges in the state to receive the grant. Focused on supporting veteran student success, the Center will provide a single point of contact to coordinate comprehensive, individualized support services that address the academic, financial, physical, and social needs of Clark College’s 600 student-veterans.
Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Michele Cruse said, “We are grateful to receive grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education to support our Veterans Resource Center. This grant comes at a critical time when the needs of our military-connected students continue to outpace our available resources. This grant will allow our Veterans Resource Center to expand its offerings.”
To better support student veterans, Clark College will establish a cross-departmental team with representatives from every office that works with student veterans, including Admissions, Financial Aid, the Counseling and Health Center, and Career Services—to name just a few.
Additionally, the grant will pay for a full-time student success coach; half of a full-time program coordinator position; a part-time tutoring position; outreach and recruitment activities; disability accommodations such as Live Scribe pens; and essentials including housing and food supports for student veterans.
Associate Director of Veterans Services Dave Daly said, “Because of this grant, the Center will now have the ability to help today’s warriors not only to transition from the service, but also to be more successful in staying in school and completing their path in higher education. Our goal is for our student veterans to bring their deeper, world perspective not only to Clark College, but also as graduates who are productive, insightful members of the greater community.”
U.S. Senator Patty Murray announced the grant award from the U.S. Department of Education and called it a vital investment in Washington state’s veterans.
Senator Murray said, “I’m glad to see this federal award going towards helping veterans in Washington state as they pursue an education and I appreciate Clark College’s efforts to help those who have served our country. As a proud partner of our state’s veterans and educators, I will continue working to ensure they have the resources they need to succeed and thrive.”
Senator Murray is the incoming chair of the Senate education committee, serves on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and is a steadfast advocate for veterans and their families.
About Clark College
Founded in 1933, Clark College provides residents of Southwest Washington with affordable, high-quality academic and technical education. It is a public community college offering more than 100 degree and certificate programs, including bachelor’s and associate degrees; professional certificates; high school diplomas and GED preparation; and non-credit community and continuing education. Clark serves a wide range of students including high school students, displaced workers, veterans, parents, non-native English speakers, and mature learners. Approximately three-quarters of its students are in the first generation of their families to attend college.
Clark College announces new Trustee
Cristhian A. Canseco Juarez. Clark College/Jenny Shadley
Governor Jay Inslee has appointed Cristhian A. Canseco Juarezto the Clark College Board of Trustees. Canseco Juarez is a first-generation college graduate, as well as an immigrant and an alumnus of Washington State University Vancouver. He is deeply involved in community service in Vancouver, providing resources for those who have historically been under-represented.
“I’m honored to join the Clark College Board to support students and our community,” said Canseco Juarez. “I want to give back to this community and do my part to help create a more inclusive, equitable and enriching environment for students and their families.”
Canseco Juarez currently serves on the Board of Directors for Lighthouse Community Credit Union. He serves as treasurer for the Southwest Washington LULAC Council and he volunteers as a council member at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. He also participated in last year’s Clark College Presidential Search Committee.
Canseco Juarez earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Washington State University Vancouver and graduated from Hudson’s Bay High School in Vancouver. He and his family have lived in Vancouver for 25 years, having emigrated from Mexico to the United States in 1991.
He begins his term on January 1, 2021 and is filling the position vacated by outgoing trustee Jada Rupley. Rupley was first appointed to the Board in 2010 and has served two five-year terms. She has served in a variety of roles in Washington’s education system over the past 25 years: as a teacher, psychologist, principal, and associate superintendent. She is currently the Superintendent of the Clackamas Education Service District in Oregon.
“Jada has provided a depth and breadth of education experience that has been invaluable to Clark College,” said Rekah Strong, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “We are grateful for her work on the board, her expertise, and her passion for helping students succeed.”
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.
Clark College supports voting
Oswald shows off the new ballot drop box on Clark College’s main campus. Clark College/Susan Parrish
A permanent ballot drop box has been installed on Clark College’s main campus. The walk-up ballot box is in the Red 3 parking lot, near the flagpole and south of the Penguin Union Building.
“Clark College has always served as a hub of civic engagement in this community,” said Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards. “We’re excited to be able to continue this tradition by having our campus become a point of access to the democratic process.”
The new ballot box is one of 22 permanent ballot drop boxes in Clark County. These are available 24 hours a day from October 16 through 8 p.m. on Election Day (November 3). Find locations of all ballot drop boxes in Clark County on the county’s website. Use this Google Maps widget to help find directions to the drop box closest to you.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.
Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Election Day.
Drop-off ballots must be delivered by 8 p.m. Election Day.
If you wish to return your voted ballot in person on or before Election Day, take it to Clark County Elections Office, 1408 Franklin Street, Vancouver. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. To reduce the spread of COVID-19, masks and social distancing are required for in-person services.
Clark College announces online teaching to continue in winter 2021
Today, Clark College announced that its 2021 winter term will be taught online with limited face-to-face labs.
“I realize we just began fall term, but registration for winter term is quickly approaching,” said Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards. “It is time to make the next decision in a series of difficult ones regarding how we will deliver education in such an unpredictable environment as this pandemic.”
Clark has decided to extend remote teaching modalities through the end of the Winter 2021 term.
Students will have three modality options as they make registration decisions for winter:
Online – Classes will be fully online and asynchronous.
Remote – Classes will be taught online with scheduled synchronous instruction components (i.e., live sessions using Zoom or other video-conferencing apps).
Hybrid – Lecture components will be fully online and lab components will have scheduled face-to-face instruction. Date, time, and campus location information will be included on the schedule. This modality will be reserved for specific career technical programs and labs with hands-on requirements. Strict safety protocols will be maintained to protect the health and safety of students and faculty.
As a large institution with thousands of students and more than 1,000 employees, there remains a significant risk of exposure to COVID-19. Clark College consulted with the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, public health authorities, other colleges, students, and faculty in making this decision.
“This is a difficult decision because we want to see our students back on campus,” said Edwards. “But we also want to safeguard our students’ health. By making early decisions, we can put into place plans to support students, continue to improve our online processes, and provide students with optimal instruction online.”
Clark College has been in remote operations since Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” proclamation in March. Already, the college has taken many steps to help support students during this extraordinary time of social distancing. The college has distributed free loaner laptops and wifi hotspots to students, set up an online emergency grant application to support students facing financial crises, and established “virtual office hours” for all its student services.
With respect to winter term and college operations, there are numerous decisions that will need to be made.
The college’s ability to accommodate on-site activities such as athletics, student club meetings and scheduled events will be dependent on several factors, such as guidance and restrictions placed on campus activities by the State of Washington.
For the time being, Clark College will continue to operate remotely and limit or prohibit on-campus activities. As restrictions are lifted, Clark will develop procedures and protocols that will allow those activities to occur on campus safely.
Winter Term at Clark College begins January 6, 2021.
Most college offices offline Aug. 11-12 for staff training, Teaching and Learning Days
Most staff at Clark College will be largely unavailable to the public while they participate in a collegewide staff training, Teaching and Learning Days on Tuesday, August 11 and Wednesday, August 12.
Classes will continue as normally scheduled. Additionally, the following services will be available:
Clark College has carefully reviewed the Northwest Athletic Conference’s recently announced Return to Play for Fall Sports and made the difficult decision to not offer sports programming during the 2020 fall term.
This decision was based on the impact of the NWAC guidelines on Clark’s students and staff, as well as the continued increase of COVID-19 cases in Clark County and surrounding areas. As always, the safety of our students, employees, and greater community remains paramount.
This decision will directly affect the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country competition season, currently scheduled to begin this Fall. Clark will forego entering teams into scheduled NWAC competitions for the 2020 season. If future decisions are made, delaying the Cross Country season to winter term, there is a possibility for Cross Country to compete in the winter.
This decision also includes training and practice components for the Volleyball, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, as well as the training and practice components for Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Baseball, Softball, and Track and Field. The college will continue to closely monitor guidance from NWAC for changes to their 2020-2021 sports calendar.
“This is by far the most difficult decision I have had to make, since taking on this role,” said Clark College Director of Athletics Laura LeMasters. “Ultimately, the student safety and experience was at the forefront of our conversation, along with the safety of our coaches, trainers, and department staff. We are prepared to work with local health authorities and college administrators to return to play, when our campus and community can provide the safety and experience expected by those who attend Clark College.”
LeMasters added that the college appreciates each student-athlete who chose to attend Clark College and represent the Penguins in competition this fall, and will honor their athletic aid. “Should a student-athlete decide that another situation will allow them to be successful elsewhere, Clark College stands ready to assist in that transition,” she said.
Clark College will consider the status of subsequent 2020-2021 sport seasons for winter and spring at an appropriate time in the future and in accordance with the most current version of NWAC protocols for return.
As always, Clark College will continue to center its decisions on the health and safety of its student‐athletes, coaches, athletic staff, support members, and fans as it responds to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley
Clark College announces online summer and fall terms
Clark College announced that it would continue offering most
of its classes only in online formats through the 2020 summer and fall terms.
“This was not an easy decision,” wrote Interim President
Sandra Fowler-Hill in an email to students on April 24. “We all want to be
optimistic that we will be able to return to classes face-to-face. But we have
listened closely to the CDC and Public Health’s caution that our ‘new normal’
will depend on what the virus does. There may be recurrent restrictions on
large gatherings by the Governor. We are a large institution with thousands of
students and more than 1,000 employees. We must consider our whole community’s
health and safety first and foremost.”
Fowler-Hill added that it was important to make the decision
in a timely fashion, so that students could have time to prepare for the
prospect of two more terms of remote learning, and faculty could have
sufficient time to thoughtfully adapt their courses for distance teaching.
The college has also moved its registration dates for summer
and fall terms in order to give faculty, staff, and students the time they need
to adjust their plans.
The college is working with state authorities to get guidance
on options that would allow some classes to run in-person labs during summer
and fall terms, using appropriate social distancing techniques.
The college is also waiting for additional guidance from the
state and from public health authorities before announcing any plans to shift from
fully remote operations to partially remote.
Fowler-Hill communicated the college’s decision to employees
in an email update. “I know this is
hard news to absorb,” she wrote. “We miss our campus. We miss our students. We
miss interacting face-to-face with each other. By making this decision
now, we will have ample time to improve our processes to best
support our students so they can learn online,
remotely, successfully, and safely.”
Clark College delays spring term until April 20
The Clark College campus is almost empty, but its work continues as it shifts operations online.
The global COVID-19 outbreak is altering every facet of modern life, including higher education. Clark College is rapidly adapting its operations to make sure students can continue their educational journeys without risking their health or the health of others.
Here are the ways Clark is adapting Spring Term:
Spring Term has been delayed until April 20. This will provide time for the college to move most of its work online. Most employees are working remotely. On March 19, most faculty and staff began conducting meetings online and by phone as they continue to strategize new ways to create the personalized learning and supportive community that has always distinguished Clark College.
Spring classes are being moved online wherever possible. Fortunately, the college has a history of providing eLearning solutions, and we’re leveraging that experience to help move many classes online. In other cases, classes will be taught remotely, with the professor delivering lectures in real time through video conferencing, while students participate remotely.
Clark College is modifying certain professional technical and science labs that require in-person hands-on learning. The college is following guidance by Washington Governor Jay Inslee to ensure social distancing and sanitization practices recommended by the CDC.
The college continues to offer the wide range of support systems for its diverse student body. Staff is available to students by phone and email during spring break. A list of department contacts has been included in the Campus Status section of the college’s COVID-19 web area.
President Sandra Fowler-Hill says Clark is responding to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 outbreak: “This is an extraordinary moment in time and tremendously stressful for our students, our faculty, and staff. I’m proud of the Clark College family for the way they’ve responded to this crisis and are working long hours to find solutions to help our students continue their studies during the COVID-19 public health crisis.”
Then she pointed out how Clark will continue to prepare students as our college, community, nation and world move forward: “The world we know seems to be changing right before our eyes. More than ever before, we must be a resource for our community. We are writing a new chapter in our history. Clark College will be nimble and bold in helping students succeed.”
Welcome, Professors!
Cuisine professor Aaron Guerra, seen here at the beginning of fall term, was one of eight faculty members to receive tenure on March 11, 2020.
Eight outstanding educators are the newest members of the tenured faculty at Clark College. Rhea Becke (career and academic preparation), Chris Boucher (diesel technology), Amy Laurel Bratton (communication studies), Alison R. Dolder (professional baking and pastry arts), Becky Engel (American Sign Language), R. Earl Frederick Jr. (cuisine), Aaron Guerra (cuisine), and Dr. Nick Macias (computer science and engineering) were all granted tenure during the Clark College Board of Trustees meeting on March 11. They will be honored at a college reception in fall 2020.
Tenure is awarded by the college’s Board of Trustees based on professional excellence and outstanding abilities in their disciplines. The granting of tenure is based on the recommendations of tenure review committees to the vice president of instruction, which are then forwarded to the president, who presents a final recommendation to the Board of Trustees. Recommendations are based on self-evaluations, tenure review committee evaluations, student evaluations, supervisory evaluations, and peer evaluations. The final decision to award or withhold tenure rests with the Board of Trustees.
About the faculty members
Rhea Becke, Career and Academic Preparation
Rhea Becke holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from Marquette University and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from University of Alaska Southeast. Before entering the teaching profession, she worked at the Juneau Alliance for Mental Health. She has experience teaching in public schools in both Alaska and Oregon, teaching English in Japan, teaching chemistry at Clark College, and teaching pre-college courses at both Mt. Hood Community College and Clark College.
Becke joined the faculty of Clark College in 2012. She currently serves as lead instructor for her department’s Math Applications course, a member of the Transitional Studies Standards Committee, and the Transitional Studies’ liaison to the Mathematics Department. Additionally, she is part of the first cohort of the college’s BUILD program, a yearlong employee development program providing intensive training in power, privilege, and inequity.
Rhea Becke described her teaching philosophy in the following terms: “My classroom is a learning community where students come as they are to actively engage with math in contextualized situations in order to become critical thinkers and problem solvers.”
Chris Boucher, Diesel Technology
Chris Boucher earned his associate degree in diesel technology from Bates Technical College in Tacoma, Washington. He also studied criminal justice at Santa Rosa College in Santa Rosa, California. He has industry-specific work experience at Peterson Caterpillar, Cummins Northwest, Pacific Detroit Diesel, Cummins Intermountain, and Smith Detroit Diesel.
“My teaching philosophy is fairly straightforward, in that I believe we learn by doing,” said Boucher. “Putting our hands on a task forces our mind to focus on the task at hand. As a teacher you must also demonstrate credibility to the student, which will reinforce their confidence in your qualifications. If the student doubts your experience, it will reduce your effectiveness.”
Amy Laurel Bratton, Communication Studies
Amy Laurel Bratton graduated summa cum laude from the University of Memphis with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies. She earned her master’s degree in communication from Portland State University. Her teaching experience includes Portland State University, Portland Community College, and Clark College, as well as being a certified yoga instructor who trains other yoga instructors in public speaking and communication skills.
Bratton joined Clark College in 2005 as an adjunct and began a full-time position in 2011. She served as facilitator of the college’s Service and Leadership in the Community (SLIC) Club and is currently active in assessment work at the departmental and program level. She regularly engages in professional development opportunities at the college, especially on the topics of eLearning education and power, privilege, and inequity.
“My teaching philosophy highlights the play between theory and practice,” Bratton said. “I encourage students to discover new communication concepts and to see how these concepts apply to their daily lives. As an educator, I am continually inspired by the opportunity to empower community college students with their own communication skills.”
Alison R. Dolder, Professional Baking and Pastry Arts
Alison R. Dolder is an alumna of Clark College, where she earned her associate degree in baking management. She has a long professional career in the baking industry, including positions at multiple bakeries in Massachusetts and New Hampshire as well as the award-winning Pearl Bakery in Portland, Oregon.
Since joining the faculty at Clark College, Dolder has become active in the local community, participating on the Fort Vancouver High School Advisory Committee and teaching cooking and baking skills at the Boys and Girls Club of Vancouver. In 2015, she was received the college’s prestigious Exceptional Faculty Award.
Dolder says she strives to “engage, encourage, and support” her students: “I try to get the students excited about what they are learning and encourage them to dig right in and get their hands wet. I observe their learning styles and tailor my instruction to suit each students’ style.”
Becky Engel, American Sign Language
Becky Engel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology from Oregon State University and a Master of Education degree in Deaf education from Western Oregon University. Prior to joining Clark College as an ASL instructor, she taught at the Washington School for the Deaf.
Since coming to Clark College, Engel has served as the advisor to the ASL/Signing Penguins student club, ASL Advisory Committee for Southwest Washington high schools, a judge for the Washington School for the Deaf’s Flying Hands ASL Literature Competition, the Emergency Building Coordinator Committee, and the Social Equity Task Force. Additionally, she participated in the creation of the college’s 2015-2020 Social Equity Plan and is a member of the first cohort of the college’s BUILD program, a yearlong employee development program providing intensive training in power, privilege, and inequity. In 2017, she received the college’s prestigious Exceptional Faculty Award.
“Due to my background in Deaf Education, I’m fortunate to have experience working with students from a wide background,” said Engel. “As a result, I adapt my teaching style to fit students’ needs. I am always willing to stop, circle back, and try a different teaching approach, knowing the other students would most likely benefit as well.”
R. Earl Frederick Jr., Cuisine Management
R. Earl Frederick Jr. earned his Associate in Applied Science degree in culinary arts from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, his Associate in Applied Science degree in baking and pastry arts from the Oregon Culinary Institute, and his Bachelor of Science in business administration from Warner Pacific College in Oregon. A Certified Executive Chef through the American Culinary Federation, he has held chef positions in the culinary services of Walt Disney World, Club Med, Job Corps, Nike, and Intel.
Since coming to Clark College, Frederick has helped launch the college’s Cuisine Management program and provided input on the design of its new McClaskey Culinary Institute. He serves as the program’s ServSafe Certified Instructor and Registered Proctor, ensuring students meet the rigorous requirements of this national food-safety program.
“I lead by example and lecture from facts,” Frederick said. “I tell my students that you’ll receive exactly what you put into the class. My motto: Don’t talk about it, be about it!”
Aaron Guerra, Cuisine Management
Aaron Guerra has decades of experience as an executive chef, instructor, and education and restaurant consultant. After graduating from the Western Culinary Institute with an associate degree in culinary arts, he worked as an executive chef at Portland’s Harvest Grill and The Restaurant at the Historic Reserve in Vancouver, Washington. He was nominated for the American Culinary Federation’s “Chef of the Year” in 2007, 2011, and 2014, and was named ACF Pro Chef Oregon’s Chef of the Year in 2014. His teaching experience includes Le Cordon Bleu/Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon; Northwest Culinary Institute in Vancouver, Washington; and Clark College.
At Clark, Guerra helped launch the college’s Cuisine Management program and provided input on the design of its new McClaskey Culinary Institute. He serves as department chair and is active in his community, founding a nonprofit called the Culinary Champions for Charity that raises money for local organizations. He also participates in a national group of leaders in higher education called the Deans and Directors Retreat.
“My teaching philosophy and approach is simple,” said Guerra. “I am a conduit of my experience, skills and knowledge from 30 years of being a chef to my students, fellow instructors and campus. My job is to help prepare the next generation of cooks and chefs and to help make myself, my coworkers and those I interact with on campus better with every opportunity.”
Dr. Nick Macias, Computer Science & Engineering
Dr. Nick Macias earned both a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in computer science from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.; a master’s degree in mathematics from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina; and a doctorate degree in electrical engineering from Virginia Polytechnic University. Along with his industry-specific work experience in both the private sector and as a civil servant, he has teaching experience at Duke, George Washington, Virginia Tech, Northwest Academy, Portland State University, Washington State University, and Clark College.
Dr. Macias joined Clark College in 2011. Within his department, he is actively involved in Guided Pathways, course assessment, community outreach, and student advising. He serves as faculty advisor for the Computer Science and Engineering Club; outside of Clark College, he volunteers with the Regional Arts and Culture Council. In 2017, he earned Clark College’s prestigious Exceptional Faculty Award.
“I believe learning happens through the search for answers, so I teach by raising questions in the material, in the subject, in ourselves,” said Dr. Macias. “I encourage students to make and embrace mistakes, as these raise the exact questions best suited to one’s own learning.”
The Weekly News: Week 34
This Week: Coronavirus Concerns
As a college, we are closely monitoring the outbreak of a respiratory disease known as COVID-19. We are in ongoing contact with Clark County Public Health. We will work with them to determine risk and exposure. We will act with abundant caution.
Our Number One priority is to safeguard the health of our students, staff, and faculty. We also want to do everything we can to help our students successfully complete their winter term studies.
Facilities Services staff are using COVID-19 sanitation guidelines from the CDC for routine cleaning, including common touch surfaces. Please understand that increased cleaning in high-use locations will result in service reductions or suspensions in low-traffic locations, such as private offices.
Our departments are building their operational plans should there be a temporary disruption to classes or college operations. We are taking into consideration all possible scenarios. That makes it hard for me to generalize our operational plan to you today because it’s dependent on so many variables. I want to thank the work of the Incident Response Team, which is meeting daily. We post updates to www.clark.edu under “Important Updates.”
Wash our hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching our faces with unwashed hands.
Don’t share food and drinks.
Clean and disinfect shared surfaces and objects that are touched frequently.
If possible, avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.
We should stay home when we are sick. Stay home, rest, and stay hydrated.
This is a rapidly evolving situation. I will update over the weekend if conditions change.
Budget process
Thank you to all who have attended the budget forums this past week as coordinated by the Budget Committee.
I want to thank the Budget Committee—which includes faculty, staff, and students—for their work on this. To do their work, they need your help. They are asking you to submit ideas you have to help Clark College close a projected $5.4 million gap in the 2020-2021 budget. All budget proposals must be submitted via an online form by March 11.
The committee again acknowledges that this is a tight timeline, but hopes you will take advantage of this opportunity to share your thoughts on the important budget decisions that need to be made. We appreciate the many proposals (more than 200 to date) that have already been submitted.
We’ve also heard that faculty and staff would like a place to share ideas for generating revenue. Feel free to use the existing online budget proposal form and simply note that you are submitting a recommendation to increase revenue and not a recommendation to cut the budget.
The committee has developed budget priorities to be used in reviewing the recommendations it receives. It is posted on ClarkNet under “Budget Process (2020-2021)”. If you need an alternate format or an accessible version of the Budget Priorities document, please contact Bob Williamson at bwilliamson@clark.edu or at 360-992-2123.
Who is your representative on the Budget Committee? Here is the linkto the budget committee members with their contact information. When you see them, please thank them for their work.
The committee will be submitting a prioritized list of budget proposals to Executive Cabinet on March 20.
Clark College Climate Improvement Task Force
I’m pleased to share updates from the Climate Improvement Task Force. In their first three meetings, they’ve had wide-ranging conversations about our college community and their approach to this work. The task force is committed to a grassroots approach to guide their recommendations in addressing themes identified in the Fall 2019 Climate Survey. They will invite conversation and solicit your feedback throughout the process.
To date, they have:
established group norms and agreements
determined how they will work together as a task force, with constituencies, and with the college as a whole
dedicated themselves to modeling shared governance and open communication as a task force
committed themselves to using feedback from our climate survey and other avenues to guide their recommendations
Here are the Members of Climate Improvement Taskforce:
Justin Allen
Traneesa Frazier
Shanda Haluapo
Heather Leasure
Dalila Paredes
Jenny Shadley
David Sims
Arwen Spicer
Erin Staples
Sarah Thorsen
Robert Weston
Rashida Willard
Bryton Williams
Melissa Williams
Feddie Young
We understand there is no simple fix to our college environment and that a task force cannot resolve all the challenges that employees face. However, I am grateful to the members of the task force who are rolling up their sleeves in this effort toward systemic change for a healthier and more inclusive college culture. I fully support their process and their work.
Accessibility
I encourage all of us to check out Accessibility Made Easy, a Canvas resource to support staff in creating accessible content.
The content is easy to follow, providing steps and resources for creating accessible documents. The topics cover tools commonly used at Clark College: Microsoft Outlook 2016, Microsoft Word 2016, Microsoft PPT 2016, and Adobe Acrobat DC for PDFs. This content was put together by Instructional Accessibility Specialist Tre Sandlin and Director of Disability Support Services Megan Jasurda. Thank you, Tre and Megan!
Upcoming ODEI Trainings
On a related note, I wanted to pass along to you the upcoming opportunity for Disability Justice 101 training.This course qualifies for both B.U.I.L.D. and PPI credit.
During this training, participants learn about the intricacies of the disability community, including affirming and non-affirming language, types of disabilities and learn about neurodiversity. Participants will also learn what these concepts mean and how to put the tools into practice in the Clark College community. This course will take place on March 18 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. in GHL 213. Sign up here.
Preventing violence and harassment
Clark College received a three-year grant from the Office of Violence Against Women to reduce and prevent sexual assault, dating and domestic violence and stalking. One of the main goals of the grant was to embed training, information and supports into our existing structures. I’m pleased to report that since July 2018, more than 3,000 Clark students have received Bystander Intervention and Consent training in their College 101 classes. Kudos to Cath Busha, who helped write the grant; Tavish Bell, who served as the first project coordinator; Flyn Alexander, who is overseeing the grant until it ends this October; Heather Adams, who worked with Tavish to develop the training curriculum; and Kristin Sherwood, who included this important information in her College 101 curriculum. To learn more about resources available to help students and employees report and recover from sexual misconduct, visit www.clark.edu/cc/survivors.
Congratulations, Susan!
Please congratulate Susan Maxwell. Thankfully she’s not leaving Clark College but she is taking on new responsibilities with SBCTC to help our fellow colleges implement ctcLink. Starting March 16, she will become an SBCTC employee. She’ll maintain her office here four days a week and will spend 20 percent of her time working on ctcLink for Clark College.
Thank you, Susan, for your work and your leadership at Clark. You’ll be a great asset in helping other community colleges make the leap.
Congratulations, Andy!
Great news from our student led Indy Newspaper. Former Indy photo editor Andy Bao, who’s now at UCLA, just won Student Photographer of the Year from the National Press Photographers Association. Also, the Indy won third place out of 9 for best community-college newspaper at the Associated Collegiate Press’s mid-winter conference in San Francisco on Feb. 29. Kudos!
Upcoming events
I am looking forward to some fun upcoming events next week at Clark College – here are a few reminders:
Treble Ensemble Concert is Thursday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m. The location is 401 E 33rd Street at the Vancouver First United Methodist Church. Free admission for everyone.
The Winter Choral Concert is Saturday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m. The location is 401 E 33rd Street at the Vancouver First United Methodist Church. Free admission for everyone.
Clark College Automotive Open House is Wednesday, March 18 at 6:00 p.m. The location is the Auto Shop in AA1 on the main campus. This is open to students, their families, and anyone interested in our Dealer Ready Automotive Technology programs. Our partnerships with dealerships include Toyota, Honda, Dick Hannah, and Audi.
I am also looking forward to attending the Nursing Pinning Ceremony, Dr. Chris Hill’s visit with the Guided Pathways Team, a lecture at the Port of Vancouver on Doing Business with the World, Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance Springfest at Pearson Field Education Center, and the Vancouver School District Foundation Luncheon with the Clark Foundation staff.
Great things continue to happen every day here at Penguin Nation as we wrap up Winter Quarter. As I was waiting in the Decker Theatre Lobby last night for the doors to open for the musical Bare I overheard a community member say, “This theatre adds so much to the culture of our city. Thanks for being here.”
Thank you for all you do to make Clark College a great place to work and to learn.
