2023 Walktober Challenge winner Sydney Brahmavar and her running buddy Jimmy.
Get ready, Clark College Community! The Walktober Challenge is back, and we can’t wait to kick off this exciting annual competition with Lower Columbia College and Washington State University Vancouver. Let’s join forces in October and bring that trophy home to the Penguin Nation!
What is Walktober?
Walktober is a 31-day movement challenge designed for faculty, staff, and students. Whether you’re a seasoned fitness enthusiast or just looking to add a little more movement to your day, this is a no-cost opportunity to get active and engage with our community. Together, we’ll help Clark College earn the title of “Walktober College Champion.”
This year, we wanted to give every participant an opportunity to win a prize, so we have added a raffle where every participant has a shot at winning.
Cath Busha with her walking buddy Ruth a high-energy blue heeler-German shorthair Pointer mix.
Tips from 2023 Walktober Challenge participants who logged the most steps
Sydney Brahmavar, Atmospheric Science instructor: 812,535 steps
“I am a trail runner with a dog who also needs a lot of walking and running. I just tracked my usual activity. I did nothing special for Walktober. I am lucky to have trails right outside my house, so I start every day with a long run or hike with my dog and end most days with a long walk with him as well. The time in the forest helps me connect with the Earth, prepare for or process my day, and stay grounded and happy.”
Terri Anderson, Dental Hygiene: 623,862 steps
Terri’s Dental Hygiene department completed the most steps in the 2023 Walktober Challenge. “We sometimes walk together on a break or lunch. We also give each other kudos for our progress and motivate ourselves.”
“I always like a challenge. I am a runner and most of my steps were accumulated by running. I also get a lot of steps during my day at work. The Walktober Challenge is a good way to get out of your office chair. It is not good to sit all day long. Get up, find a friend, a go for a walk.”
Aaron McPherson, Facilities: 575,229 steps
“My position is custodian, and I usually cover at least two buildings a night (O’Connell and Beacock) during graveyard hours, so I do a lot of walking on campus regularly. Some of it was running, but I tried to keep the running to a minimum. Regardless of your final total step count or overall rank, it is far better for your health to get up and move than to stay stationary. If you can’t do it for Clark, then do it for yourself.”
Cath Busha, Student Affairs: 448,530 steps
“I LOVE walking and hiking. It’s part of my daily practice, not only for physical health, but mental health, as well. It was fun to count up my steps for the work challenge. My daily goal is to walk 15k-20k steps. Every morning before work I walk about 8k steps with my dog, Ruth (or I should say she walks me. She’s a very high-energy blue heeler/German Shorthair Pointer mix).” “At work, I eat my lunch at my desk, then use my lunch break to walk and listen to podcasts. I also take walk ‘snack breaks’ during the day and will do a loop around campus or through Gaiser/PUB to see folx and stretch. At home, I finish my days with a long walk—sometimes talking with friends, sometimes walking with a friend. On the weekends, I hike (Falls Creek Falls and Hamilton Mountain are my favs) and I also walk A LOT with my partner — it’s our favorite date!”
Cath encourages fellow Penguins to walk: “The data are clear: If you’re able to, moving our bodies is so good for our physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social health. Start where you are, set your own goals, and go from there. ‘Habit stack’ walking and moving with other things you enjoy (ie talking to someone; taking pictures; walking to a favorite bakery; noticing nature; listening to an audiobook) is another great way to build walking into your daily life.”
How to Participate
Track your steps: Log your total daily steps from October 1-31 using the attached Walktober Log here.
Use technology: Use your smartphone or smartwatch to track your daily movements. Use your smartphone to search fitness trackers.
Earn tickets for prizes: For every 1,000 steps you log, earn tickets to be entered into our prize raffle. Tickets for three employees and three students will be drawn to win raffle prizes.
Collect your incentive prize: At the end of the challenge, participants who submit their Walktober log in person to Human Resources (BRD 133) will receive an incentive prize and can choose between a selection of Clark-branded swag (while supplies last).
Vary your activities: Walktober isn’t just about walking! Check out the Step Equivalency Chart to see how other activities count toward your movement goals.
Last day to enter: Submit your completed Walktober log to Vanessa Bural at vbural@clark.edu or stop by Human Resources (BRD 133) by November 7.
“Let’s move! Walking is a fantastic way to boost your energy and improve your health. Take advantage of the beautiful fall weather. Step outside or meet up with friends for a stroll around campus. All movement counts! We can’t wait to see how far we can go together this October. Let’s make this a fun and active month!” —Clark’s Well-Being Team: Vanessa Bural, Dr. Evelyn Buschur, Veronica Brock, Mike Law, Valentina Pishchanskaya-Cayanan, and Tre Sandlin
2023 Penguin Nation Walktober Stats
84 participants (employees and students)
23,344,718 total steps (more than 23 million steps!)
277,913 average steps per participant
Department with the most participants: Dental Hygiene with 12 participants
Department with the most steps: Dental Hygiene with 3,472,767 total steps
Department with largest average steps: Veterans Center of Excellence with 536,981 average steps
2023 Walktober Challenge: Penguins who logged more than 400,000 steps
Sydney Brahmavar, Meteorology: 812,535
Terri Anderson, Dental Hygiene: 623,862
Aaron McPherson, Facilities: 575,229
Donna Larson, Veterans Center of Excellence: 567,893
Megan Anderson, Veterans Center of Excellence: 506,069
Clark College faculty and staff gathered on September 16 to kick off the 2024-2025 academic year during Opening Day festivities at O’Connell Sports Center.
It was a homecoming of sorts. People greeted each other as they lined up at tables laden with gallons of coffee and hundreds of bagels for a breakfast hosted by iQ Credit Union. Staff and faculty gathered in small groups all over the gym to reconnect and catch up on their summer activities. Dozens got a new staff photo taken by Jenny Shadley from Communications and Marketing. During the celebration, several employees were honored with awards. Read more about the employee awards: https://news.clark.edu/2024/09/2024-employee-awards/
Cristhian Caseco Juarez, Andrew Gratze, and Denise GideonMelissa O’Dea, Levi Nelson, Kristina Martin, and Brittanie CastreyDr. Terry Brown, Mike Law, and Niira Krupnick Dr. Edwards, Carl Douglas, Tiffany Saari, Brian McVay, and Chad LaughlinDr. Michele Cruse, Vanessa Neal, and Courtney HooverZach Lattin and Laura Nagel
Welcome by Dr. Edwards
Dr. Edwards greeted faculty and staff in a message focused on the power of unity, with everyone working together and using the college’s Equity-Centered Strategic Plan as our roadmap. Next, a new Strategic Plan video was screened.
Speaking about unity, Dr. Edwards quoted Thomas Paine, an 18th-century political writer: “It’s not in numbers, but in unity, that our great strength lies.”
Following the theme of “unity,” Oswald, our beloved Penguin mascot, starred in a video that showed Degrundra “Dee” Harris from ODEI leading him around campus in search of components to build a special Opening Day surprise gift. (View the video: https://youtu.be/Ok2Q0T63LUA) The video concluded with real-life Oswald entering the gym with an ASCC leader and bearing his special gift. With an extra power boost from the clapping and cheering from the audience, Oswald pushed the button and launched a wall of confetti into the audience, who shrieked appreciatively.
Dr. Edwards thanked the Clark College Foundation for their partnership. Each year, the foundation awards $1.3 million in scholarships, special awards, and financial support to hundreds of our students, and contributes an average of $3.5 million annually to the college for programs and capital support.
She said, “This collaboration has been a pivotal component of our success over the last 50 years. Please join me in giving another heartfelt thank you to our partners at the Clark College Foundation.”
Dr. Edwards highlighted a dozen projects and programs including:
An AI-powered chatbot will be added to our website to enhance user experience.
Our new Associate of Applied Technology (AAT) degree in Surgical Technology has been approved.
Our first building at Boschma Farms is nearly completed. General education classes will begin in Spring 2025. Our Advanced Manufacturing program is awaiting NWCUU approval.
We currently have $13 million in grants and allocations including a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to close opportunity gaps by providing cohort-based support and academic preparation program, faculty mentoring, and scholarships to 48 students pursuing associate degrees in Engineering or Computer Science.
We have hired Caitlin Malvar as our Basic Needs Navigator, a new role supported by the state to provide a single point of contact for students seeking essential resources.
We are preparing for accreditation for 2024-2025 under the leadership of Dr. Cecelia Martin.
And much more!
ASCC President Gurraj Singh Dhami, pictured above, introduced this academic year’s student leaders. Then he spoke about his focus: To “ensure that every student has access to the resources and support they need to succeed. Each of us has unique obstacles, and it’s vital that we create an environment where every student feels supported, whether through financial aid, mental health resources, or extracurricular involvement. We all need that sense of community, and I’m committed to making sure no one feels left behind.”
Board of Trustees Chair Cristhian Canseco Juarez spoke about unity throughout the Clark community: the board of trustees, Dr. Edwards, Clark College Foundation, and faculty and staff across campus. He closed by saying, “Imagine what impact we can make this academic year as we work together in unity on behalf of our students and our college community. I am honored to work with you and to be part of Penguin Nation.”
Dr. Edwards closed Opening Day by saying: “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 success in their academic goals, their careers, and in life. I thank each of you for being a part of the Clark team doing this important work on behalf of our students. We have our equity-centered Strategic Plan as our road map in place. We have our team of good people in place. Now it’s time for us to focus on finding ways to work together—in Unity.”
Fall Faculty Focus
Opening Day is part of a multi-day orientation and training for faculty organized by the Clark College Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) to inspire, inform, and engage faculty to build community, learn, and grow in their teaching.
Fall Faculty Focus on September 17 welcomed faculty back for the new academic year. The theme was “Me, Myself, and AI.” The keynote speaker was Wilson Nitunga, pictured above, a professor of Business and Marketing at Portland Community College (PCC) who works with PCC’s Center of Artificial Intelligence and Cultural Computing. He shared his academic journey from refugee to at-risk student to faculty member. Then he shared instructional and relational strategies to develop the best possible support system for students, and innovative ways to use AI for enhanced teaching and learning.
Dr. Terry Brown, center, meets with faculty at Faculty Focus.
Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley and Susan Parrish More photos from Opening Day can be viewed on Flickr: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBHKt8
2024 Employee Awards
Clark College employees gathered on September 16 to kick off the 2024-25 academic year during Opening Day festivities at O’Connell Sports Center. During the event, the following faculty and staff members were recognized. Congratulations to all the recipients! Read more about Opening Day: https://news.clark.edu/2024/09/opening-day-2024/
Left to right: Becky Engel, Halina Brant-Zawadzki, Tanya Diaz-Kozlowski, Sarah Blanchette, Catherine Johnston, and Sarah Luther
Clark College Exceptional Faculty Award is one of the highest honors that the college bestows. While anyone at the college can nominate a faculty member for this award, most nominations come from students to recognize professors who truly made a difference in their lives.
Halina Brant-Zawadzki, Nursing
Dr. Halina Brant-Zawadzki (Dr. B-Z) has taught Nursing at Clark College since January 2022. She has more than 18 years of experience in nursing education from various nursing schools in the Portland-Vancouver metro area, including being tenured faculty at the University of Portland’s School of Nursing. She teaches in the classroom, in the acute care setting, and in the simulation lab.
Dr. Brant-Zawadzki holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Lewis and Clark College, both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Portland, and a Ph.D. in Nursing Science from the University of Washington. Her area of scholarship focuses on trauma-responsive education, stress management, and coping strategies in undergraduate nursing students.
Her student nominator wrote: “Dr. Brant-Zawadzki is the definition of ‘I’m here to help.’ She was attentive to each student and made everyone feel valid, supported, and wanted. She takes every question into careful consideration and tries different approaches for different learning styles. Her lectures and notes had videos, readings, demonstrations, and more to make sure every learner was addressed in their style.”
Sarah Luther, Mathematics
Sarah Luther earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Mathematics and a Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education from Lewis and Clark College. She earned her Master of Science in Mathematics from Texas A&M University. Luther previously was a middle-school math teacher and a mathematics editor and textbook problem writer. She taught math at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon before she started teaching at Clark College 11 years ago.
Luther serves on the college’s Sigma Scholarship Committee and a tenure committee. She also is a member of Clark’s Math Activities Committee that organizes events to give students opportunities to interact with math outside the classroom. These include origami events, game nights emphasizing strategy and logic, and an event exploring the Pythagorean Theorem.
Her student nominator wrote:“Math is not at all my strength and when I first began Math 105, I was absolutely terrified. These feelings quickly vanished when I met with Professor Luther and realized I didn’t have to feel embarrassed to ask for help. She is not only very easy to understand, but also such an empathetic and understanding person who knows exactly how to work with students. It’s clear that she truly cares about the success of her students and I’m so incredibly grateful for her help this quarter.”
Sarah Blanchette, Human Services
Sarah Blanchette received an Associate of Arts in Social Sciences with an emphasis in Social Services from College of the Redwoods, a community college in Eureka, California, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at University of California Davis.
Next Sarah worked in social and human services leadership and administration for 25 years: 13 years at the Department of Social and Health Services and 7 years at Developmental Disabilities Administration. Working with youth, families, aging adults, and individuals with developmental disabilities led her to complete her master’s degree in Social Work at Eastern Washington University, which was co-located at Clark at the time.
Her master’s studies led Sarah to Clark College in 2019 to teach the next generation of human service workers through the BASHS and ACED programs.
Sarah said, “Teaching deepened my life. I have been inspired by my students’ resilience and by their passion for making the world a better place.”
Her student nominator wrote: “Sarah gives me hope for the future of my field. She teaches us alternative ways to view and use old ideas so we can apply conventional practices in a contemporary way that’s more trauma informed, culturally adaptable, and influenced by acknowledgement of the unique strengths and needs of various populations. She’s cultivating the generation of counselors that the world needs, and it’s both inspiring and motivating as an aspiring researcher trying to change the way helpers help for the better.”
Tanya Diaz-Kozlowski, Women’s Studies
Dr. Tanya Diaz-Kozlowski (she/her/ella) is a meditator, writer, and teacher who has taught Women’s Studies courses at Clark College since Fall 2020. She centers queer and BIPOC narratives in all courses to explore knowledge, subjectivity, and power with students as co-partners in learning, encouraging students to forge connections rooted in awareness, accountability, and compassion rather than reactivity, stereotypes, and dis/mis information.
Her contributions at Clark include mentoring queer and BIPOC students, serving on multiple hiring committees, speaking at the Queer Student Luncheon, serving as chair of a tenure committee, serving on the Instructional Planning Committee, and co-creating community and connection gatherings for Clark College faculty and staff.
Dr. Diaz-Kozlowski holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from University of Wisconsin-Parkside, a Master of Science in Higher Education from Eastern Illinois University, and a doctorate degree in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership with a focus in social and cultural foundations from The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In addition to her tenure at Clark, she has worked at the Uniting Pride Center of Champaign County and has taught at Illinois State University and The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Her student nominator wrote: “Race, gender, and sexuality all intersect with our identities. This is what we were taught in Women’s Studies and how Dr. Diaz-Kozlowski treats us reflects exactly what we learn. They respect pronouns and queer individuals. Also, they advocate for BIPOC and queer authors, which respects students’ identities as they may be relatable to us.”
Rebecca Engel, American Sign Language
Rebecca Engel earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Oregon State University and a Master of Education degree in Deaf Education from Western Oregon University. Before coming to Clark College, she taught middle school at Washington School for the Deaf. She has been teaching at Clark since 2006 and was granted tenure in 2020.
At Clark she teaches all levels of American Sign Language as well as Deaf Culture courses. She serves on Clark’s Curriculum committee, is ASL Club advisor, and actively participates in Teaching and Learning Center communities.
She also serves on CTE advisory boards for Evergreen and Vancouver school districts. She also serves on the Language Access advisory committee for OSPI.
Her student nominator wrote:“I am one of many students who have been touched by Becky’s contagious light and electric energy. She has supported me in my two years as an ASL student at Clark College and has always encouraged me to chase my dreams of becoming an ASL interpreter. Her willingness to teach me and her excitement toward my journey is a huge part of the reason why I am here today. She has shared resources with me, given valuable feedback that has grown my ASL skills, and reminded me why my dreams matter.”
“As a Deaf woman, Becky understands the value of respecting differences and has encouraged others to do so as well. Many times, we have discussed the importance of Deaf Culture as well as taking the time to learn from other people’s experiences. Becky is always willing to help and wants all of her students to feel supported in her classroom. She makes me feel like I am important and so are my opinions.”
Catherine Johnston, English as a Second Language
Volunteering with a literacy organization prompted Catherine Johnston to begin a career in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). Fifteen minutes into her initial tutoring session with a pre-literate speaker of Arabic, she decided to pursue a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at University of San Francisco. She previously earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English at DePaul University.
Since 1997, she has enjoyed teaching children and adults in language schools and universities, training teachers in a training certificate program, and writing and editing educational materials for several publishers. She has worked in educational settings in Hong Kong, Mexico, and various parts of the United States. She began teaching full time at Clark College in 2007.
Catherine said it is a privilege and a pleasure to have a role in the cultural adjustment process of her immigrant and refugee students, some of whom came here by choice and some of whom came here by circumstance.
She said, “Whether students are accomplished professionals, new to formal education, or somewhere in between, I appreciate the opportunity to help my ESL learners realize their goals. Serving alongside my Transitional Studies staff and faculty colleagues is a joy.”
Her student nominator wrote:“In the realm of education, there are teachers who simply impart knowledge, and then there are those rare individuals who leave an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of their students. Catherine Johnston, without a doubt, falls into the latter category. As an older student representing our diverse class, she is the best teacher I have encountered who helped me to believe in myself and have the courage to start a new life here in the United States, where English is not my first language.”
Exceptional Classified Staff Awards
Left to right: Terry Haye and Andra Spencer.
Andra Spencer,Office of Diversity Equity & Inclusion
Her nominator wrote:“Andra has been a part of ODEI for a little over a year, and the positive impact of her work and dedication were immediately felt. Andra’s passion for equity and education is contagious. She dove into creating a PPI training on recognizing and disrupting antisemitism this summer and introduced many to a body of knowledge previously undiscussed at the college.”
Teresa Haye, Bachelor of Applied Science Teacher Education (BASTE)
Her nominator wrote:“Terry has been essential to the success of this program, which grew from 5 students in the first year to 20 students in the second year. Her passion for student success, removing barriers, and prioritizing tasks that allow for those dynamics are all part of her superpowers.”
Exceptional Administrative-Exempt Award
Monica Knowles, Bookstore
Her nominator wrote: “They are a productive leader; their work performance is exemplary. This is due partly to the fact that they have created well thought out procedures for the operation of the Bookstore. More importantly, they make sure that team members understand the importance of their roles in the big picture and provide the proper training for team members to perform their roles well. They foster an encouraging environment in which staff members want to collaborate and give their best for the Bookstore.”
Lora Whitfield Social Equity Award
Ciera Jones, Athletics
Lora Whitfield was an Early Childhood Education professor at Clark College who cared deeply about this community. She was committed to the success of her fellow employees and the students she served. As a tenured professor, she promoted equity and inclusion, creating a culture of community for all.
Clark’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion reviews the nominations for this award and makes a recommendation based on a Clark employee’s demonstrated and sustained commitment to advancing equity. The recipient receives $1,000 and a plaque in honor of Lora Whitfield.
Her student nominator wrote: “Coach Ciera preaches equity and opportunity—and she stands by it. From allowing members onto her team who lack a background in the sport due to systemic failures, to promoting mental health resources and seeking ways to give back to the community, Ciera acts on her beliefs. She continuously goes above and beyond to ensure her team is involved on the field, in the school, and in the world around them. She is a shining example of leadership.”
“Coach Ciera demonstrates her leadership on the field, and in her office. When you speak with her, you can sense her respect for others. As a Deaf player on her team, I never felt lesser or othered by her. I was given numerous opportunities to grow in the sport, challenge my own obstacles, and better my mind and body. Her leadership instilled confidence in me that I carry to the classroom, and Ciera has reached out to me about partnering with the ASL Club to provide softball camps to the local Deaf community, furthering this inclusion and equity.”
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. Thanks to an anonymous donor through the Foundation, all years of service awards also come with monetary compensation based on the number of years served.
5 years
Human Resources: Alicia Dingivan
Instruction: Aaron Ahn, Andrea Belleisl, Sandra Bennett, Opinderjit Bhella, Sarah Blanchette, Chris Cerone, Kristin Christophersen, Joanne Costello, Kymber Croft-Miller, Jennifer Denrow, Cassia Gammill, Hernan Garzon, Katherine Goforth, Jesse Kysar, Nicholas Luisi, Erin Lynch, Olga Lyubar, Kathryn Matsuura, Stacie Murdoch, Kenneth Murr, Valenti Pischanskaya- Cayanan, Brian Shannon, Richa Sharma, Tabitha Stokes, Christopher Thompson, Christina Wallace
Operations: Courtney Braddock, Laurie Mitchell, Darcie Daniel
Student Affairs: Michael Aguirre, Kelsey Gramm, Amanda Mabrey
Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Alyssa Montminy
Foundation: Andy Palmquist, Angela Torretta
10 YEARS
Instruction: Christopher Chaffin, Lindsay Christopher, Amy Ellis, Jay Fancher, Caron Ford, Jaron Gardiner, Rebecca Herman, Alec Josephson, Sergey Kachenkov, Darcy Kennedy, Manda Levie, Donald Ludwig, Brian McVay, James Powers, Cathy Reynolds, Jeffrey Snyder, Aubrey Tobias, Kurtis Trimbo, Michelle Vincent, Tiffani Young, Shelly Williams
Instruction: Linda Appert, William Athens, Jack Bohl, Loni Bramson, Amanda Brown, Erin Burrows, Amanda Crochet, Alison Dolder, Wendy Edgar, Nicole Ekle, Rebecca Engel, Heidi Fay, Cynthia Foreman, Michael Guerra, Marilyn Hale, Shanda Haluapo, John Jarvie, James Jensen, Divya Kashyap, Donna Marshall, Angelica Quinn, Julie Saiturn, Stephen Shepherd, Erin Staples
Operations: Kay Martinez
Student Affairs: Cindy Aplin, Margaret Estes
20 YEARS
Instruction: David Caldwell, Isaac Erskine, Gothard Grey, Izad Khormaee, John Kuhn, Gayle Lee, Kanchan Mathur, Christopher Milner, John Mitchel, April Mixon
Thao Schmidt and Dr. Edwards.Mark Bolke, Jennifer Dean, Sarah Gallow and Dr. Edwards.Sabra Sand, Monica Knowles, Billie Garner, and a poster of Damon Grady.Shirley Schwartz and Dr. EdwardsGail Robinson, Don Gonser, Judy Emenegger, Kayoko Barnhill, Kristine Barker, and Aaron Bingham.Mike Arnold and Dr. EdwardsLisa Hasart and Dr. Edwards
25 YEARS
Human Resources: Thao Schmidt
Instruction: Mark Bolke, Ray Cooper, Jennifer Dean, Sara Gallow, Kathleen Perillo
Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley More photos from Opening Day can be found on Flickr: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBHKt8
2024 Staff Development Days
Shelly Williams, back left, of the Fine Arts Division led a jigsaw puzzle competition and spoke about using hobbies to find work-life balance.
Hundreds of Clark College staff spent two days learning together during the tenth annual Staff Development Days on August 13 and 14.
The event, chock full of professional development training, allows staff time to connect with other staff on campus, learn valuable skills, and share department information. Six breakout sessions offered three dozen professional development opportunities focused on a variety of topics. This year’s workshops included a supervisor training series, mini-learning sessions, opportunities for department meetings, and time for individuals to complete Higher Ed Works online training.
In her welcome to staff, Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards quoted educator, Rudine Sims Bishop: “Mirrors allow you to see your own experiences, windows to see others,’ and sliding glass doors to enter other worlds.” Dr. Edwards added: “Over the next two days, there may be many mirrors, windows, and doors for you to explore, learn, and grow.”
Keynote Speaker on Building Community
Clark College Foundation CEO Calen Ouellette, pictured above, presented Tuesday’s keynote, “The Community We Build.” Calen focused on three key terms: Engagement, empowerment, and collaboration, and posed a reflective question for each term.
Engagement: What specific actions can you take to make your colleagues feel more engaged and valued in the workplace?
Empowerment: How can you empower team members to take the initiative and feel confident in their roles?
Collaboration: What steps can you take to foster better collaboration and communication within your team and across teams at Clark?
Departments presenting sessions included Accounting Services; Career Services; Clark College Foundation; Communications and Marketing (pictured above); Counseling and Health Center; Disability Support Services; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Event Services; Facilities Services; Fine Arts; Human Resources; IT-Network Services; Information Technology Services; Payroll; Planning and Effectiveness; Purchasing; Student Affairs; Teaching & Learning Center; Veterans Center of Excellence; and more.
Sessions addressed burnout prevention, conflict management, time block planning, and unlocking the power of data.
Some sessions focused on how best to assist others in our community.
Bellamy Holt from Entry Services taught” Etiquette to a T: Treating Trans Folks with Courtesy.” Bellamy provided vocabulary terms for allies and cis individuals to use and gave examples of how to politely ask for someone’s pronouns, and how to avoid misgendering people.
Tre Sandlin from the Teaching and Learning Center taught “Accessibility: Headings and Alternative Text.” Participants learned how headings enable folks who use assistive technology and how to use them to improve the navigability of their content. Teams of participants viewed images and discussed how to write alt text for different lenses.
Valentina Pishchanskaya-Cayanan from the Counseling & Health Center presented “Understanding the Ukrainian Student Experience.” She emigrated from Ukraine as a child and still has family in Ukraine. She shared a deeper understanding of the Ukrainian culture, various challenges that new arrivals from Ukraine are experiencing, and how folks can best support our Ukrainian students.
There was time for fun and relaxation, too.
Courtney Braddock from Accounting Services taught a lively line dance workshop to get staffers’ minds and bodies moving to a variety of music.
Jenny Shadley from Communications/Marketing led a “Creative Mindfulness” workshop to encourage participants to experiment using creative practices to be more present. After a guided meditation and a creative prompt, participants had an opportunity to take a short walk on campus and either take a photo or write a poem.
Shelley Williams from the Fine Arts division led two hands-on jigsaw puzzle competitions. While teams worked together to complete a puzzle, Shelly shared about how engaging in hobbies can help employees find a healthy work-life balance. The winning team received Symphony chocolate bars.
Many thanks to the staff who organized Staff Development Days: Andra Spencer, Vanessa Bural, Alyssa Montminy, Carolyn Stark, De’Gundrea Harris, Donna Larson, Haley Tucker, Lindsey Schuhmacher, Maggie Li, Michelle Golder, Sandra Bush, and Wendé Fisher.
Students from the McClaskey Culinary Institute with lunch boxes they prepared.
Thanks also to instructors, staff, and students from McClaskey Culinary Institute for providing delicious box lunches on both days and to the bookstore for providing free ice cream treats.
“The members of our planning team are so pleased with this year’s Staff Development Days,” said Andra Spencer, who works in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. “We saw the excitedness of staff members connecting across departments. When we gathered together in Gaiser Student Center, the energy was palpable. What a positive start to our 2024-2025 academic year.” Continue Your Professional Development Journey
For those who want to continue their learning journey, attendees can reflect on their conference experience and share feedback with the Staff Development Days planning team. Here’s how you can stay engaged:
Review session materials: Access presentation slides and other valuable resources from the conference: Presenter Files
Share your feedback: Your thoughts are crucial for improving future professional development events. Please fill out our feedback survey: https://bit.ly/SDD-24-feedback
“We hope these resources will help you build on the insights gained and continue your professional journey.” —Staff Development Days planning team
Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish
McClaskey Culinary Garden
James “Sonny” Demartini, a cuisine instructor at Clark College tends to the garden outside of the Tod and Maxine McClaskey Culinary Institute.
The culinary garden at Clark College is seeking volunteers who enjoy gardening and can volunteer even an hour a week.
On a warm July afternoon, James “Sonny” Demartini, a cuisine instructor at Clark College, spread the broad leaves of a kohlrabi plant to examine a purple turnip-looking vegetable growing at ground level to determine when it would be ready to harvest (pictured below). Pointing to yellow marigold flowers planted nearby, he explained that the flower’s strong scent repels flies, aphids, and other insects that eat the plants.
Then he tore the tip of a green leaf from a Florentino cauliflower, popped it into his mouth, chewed, and smiled.
“What flavor! That’s what I’m talking about!” he exclaimed.
Chef Demartini was instrumental in creating the culinary garden just outside the college’s Tod and Maxine McClaskey Institute. Now in its third year, the garden is prolific. During the summer, culinary students harvest herbs, vegetables, and fruit from the garden and use the produce in their cuisine and baking classes to create food for the college community. On this day, students harvested lemon verbena from the garden and added it to the panna cotta dessert served in the student-run restaurant.
In addition to kohlrabi, fennel bulb, Swiss chard, baby carrots, leeks, and a variety of edible flowers are ready to harvest. At this time of year, when the garden is prolific, Chef Demartini says the culinary garden could use more hands to help with weeding and watering.
“We could use more volunteers,” he said. “Even if someone can volunteer for an hour or two a week, that would be helpful.”
Recent cuisine graduates James and Amanda toured the Culinary Vegetable Institute and Chef’s Garden in Huron, Ohio with Chef Sonny in June 2024.
Inspired by Ohio garden
In creating Clark’s culinary garden, Chef Demartini was inspired by Chef’s Garden and its Culinary Vegetable Institute, a 300-acre family farm in Huron, Ohio. He first visited the farm 14 years ago when he was a culinary student. He and two recent Clark Cuisine graduates, James and Amanda, had the opportunity to tour the farm June 17-19. They toured enormous greenhouses growing microgreens and experimental herbs, and they enjoyed tasting the farm’s bounty. They also volunteered in the farm’s test kitchen and prepared food for the farm’s workers and for a wedding event.
Chef Demartini experienced a full-circle moment when his mentor and old friend, farmer Lee Jones, came by to say hello, wearing his trademark denim overalls and red bowtie. The Jones family represents four generations on the farm.
“It was a prescient moment for me,” said Chef Demartini. “When I was a culinary student, Farmer Lee impressed upon me the importance of ‘taking care of the soil’ and ‘eating with the season.’ My interactions with Farmer Lee shaped who I am now, as both a chef and a person. Fast forward fourteen years, and Farmer Lee is seeing the seeds that he sowed in me, with the next generation of culinarians under my wing. It was an incredible moment!”
What’s planted in Clark’s garden
Previously, the concrete planters just outside McClaskey Culinary Institute contained low-maintenance shrubs that didn’t flower or provide food for humans or insects. Three years later, this garden has created a welcoming entrance to Gaiser Hall. People stop to admire the garden.
Now the concrete planters are bursting with vegetables and fragrant herbs, including sage, lemon verbena, mint, rosemary, sorrel, lovage, parsley, and chives. Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators flit from flower to flower collecting nectar and pollen.
Edible wildflowers do double duty by attracting pollinators.
Trellises support grapevines and hops.
Fruit trees include plum, quince, fig, and five varieties of espalier apple and pear trees.
A dozen varieties of sunflowers provide edible petals and seeds for recipes.
Nasturtiums provide edible petals, garnish, and an infusion for oils and vinegars.
The seeds of Clark’s culinary garden
The culinary space at Clark College was renovated in 2017 with a grant from the Tod and Maxine McClaskey Foundation. Although blueprints included culinary gardens wrapping around three sides of the building, there was no funding for a garden.
Chef Demartini, a lifelong gardener, and Fay Shorten, a stockroom attendant in the college’s food services department, were determined that a lack of funding would not become a barrier for creating a kitchen garden for their students.
They spent about $8,000 in grant money. Galvanized stock tanks were repurposed into raised beds. Some plants and seeds were donated, but they purchased others.
Demartini, Shorten and volunteers cleared unused space outside the building and created gardens including herbs, vegetables, berries, and fruit trees.
The college’s grounds crew revamped an existing irrigation system.
Composting organic kitchen scraps: Every day the culinary classes create a mountain of food scraps—from eggshells to carrot tops. Instead of throwing them into the garbage, all organic food scraps are converted into nutrient-rich compost. Demartini converted an industrial woodchipper into a mulcher that chops food waste into rich, organic matter that immediately can be added to the soil.
Volunteers help amend the soil, plant, weed, water, and harvest—but more volunteers are needed.
Volunteer in the culinary garden
Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Monday through Thursday, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Contact: Chef Sonny Demartini at jdemartini@clark.edu
Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish
Getting to Know Clark’s new VPI, Dr. William “Terry” Brown
Left to right: Vice President of Operations Sabra Sand, President Dr. Karin Edwards, and Vice President of Instruction Dr. William “Terry” Brown.
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.
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.
Dr. Brown, far left, with Jodi Shulnak and Kristen Fowler from International Programs.
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
Dr. Brown with a stuffed penguin at Boschma Farms.
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.
Clark College’s 88th Commencement
Clark College honored its 88th graduating class at the 2024 Clark College Commencement ceremony on Thursday evening, June 20, at theRV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater.Over 640 graduates and their guests gathered with college faculty and staff to celebrate their achievements. This auspicious ceremony honored students graduating with their bachelor’s or associate degrees, and those earning certificates, high school diplomas, and/or GED completion.
2024 Commencement Highlights
Clark College conferred a total of 1,783 degrees and certificates on the next generation of our community’s workers, leaders, and scholars. This translates to the following:
President Dr. Karin Edwards, center with some of the Dental Hygiene BAS graduates.
2024 Degrees and Certificatesconferred included the:
Bachelor of Applied Science degree;
Associate in Arts degree;
Associate in Fine Arts degree;
Associate in Science degree;
Associate in Applied Science degree;
Associate in Applied Technology degree;
Certificate of Proficiency;
Certificate of Achievement;
Certificate of Completion;
High School Diploma; and
General Educational Development (GED) Completion
Student Speaker Ziyad El Amrani gives gets the graduates hyped up at commmencement.
Speakers at the 2024 Commencement included:
Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards
Clark College Board of Trustee President Cristhian Canseco Juarez, in both English and Spanish
Graduating Student Ziyad El Amrani, Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Management degree
CCAHE Faculty Union President and Professor of Communication Studies Suzanne Southerland
Clark President Dr. Karin Edwards touted recent Clark successes: enrollment has increased 10%, more in-person classes are being offered, student engagement has increased, and its new campus at Boschma Farms in Ridgefield is nearing completion.
After sharing the inspiring stories of three graduating students, Dr. Edwards said, “These are just three examples of the transformational power of a community college education. Graduates, whatever path your future takes you, the return on your investment is invaluable. You believed in yourself and invested in bettering yourself. The result is that everyone benefits. You, your family, your community, and the world benefit by having your well-educated mind at work. We congratulate and applaud you for your dedication, your hard work, and your sacrifice.”
Trustee Cristhian Canseco Juarez (pictured above) followed with these words, “What an accomplishment! Through your perseverance and hard work, you did it! Congratulations!” He added, “Many of you, like me, are the first person in your family to graduate from college. Did you know that about 45% of Clark students are the first in their family to attend college? You have sacrificed to make a difference for your family and your future… Penguins Class of 2024, tonight you begin an exciting new journey. Pursue your dreams, reach toward your goals—and make the world a better place. All of Penguin Nation believes in you.”
Transformed Lives
Before the commencement ceremony, students waiting outside the amphitheater shared their stories that spoke to the transformational power of education.
Clark Libraries employees earn degrees. Amanda Brown (pictured above third from the left in white robe), Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Management (BASAM): Brown is the program manager in Clark Libraries. She realized she would have more opportunities with a bachelor’s degree, so she worked full time while attending Clark full time and achieved her goal. Amanda stands with fellow Clark graduates Courtney Cichosz, a former Clark Libraries student employee, and current Clark Libraries employees Shay Walter and Bridgit Callaway.
Running Start students Lemman Gurre (DTA Biology & transferring to WSUV) and Aalaa Hassan (Biochemical Engineering & transferring to UW) and Nevaeh Fang (AA DTA & undecided)
A trio of Running Start studentsLemman Gurre, Aalaa Hassan, and Nevaeh Fangearned direct transfer associate degrees and are headed to University of Washington and Washington State University Vancouver to pursue bachelor’s degrees. Gurre plans to become a pharmacist; Hassan, a biomedical engineer. Fang is undecided.
Left to right: Slade Samson Griffith and Micah Turner earned DTA degrees. Griffith is first gen student adopted from Haiti-joined US Navy. Turner undecided.
Slade Samson Griffith, a first-generation college graduate who was adopted from Haiti, earned a direct transfer associate degree. He has joined the U.S. Navy and plans to continue his education after he has completed his military service.
Rachel Kreitel, (pictured above)had not completed high school, but 20 years later, she enrolled at Clark and earned her GED and then an associate degree in Nursing. She realized she wanted to pursue a career in human resources, so returned to Clark again to earn a Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Management.
Life got in the way for Elizabeth Rivera, and she hadn’t had an opportunity to graduate from high school.She has four children, ages 6 to 18, and has worked full time at an assembly job for 16 years. Rivera wants to move into a leadership position, so she enrolled in Clark’s Transitional Studies high school plus program full time while working 12-hour shifts Friday, Saturday and Sunday—and caring for her family. Now she plans to pursue a project management position and is considering returning to Clark to earn an associate’s degree.
The following were recognized during commencement
2024 Community College Presidents’ Award in honor of Val Ogden was received by Graduate Simon Kirpa (pictured above). This annual scholarship is awarded to a Clark College graduate who is transferring to Washington State University Vancouver. The recipient must demonstrate leadership potential, a commitment to community service, and academic achievement.
Kirpa joined the U.S. Army and served as a medic in Iraq, where he demonstrated his leadership skills and his ability to put patients at ease. He chose to continue pursuing medicine after completing his military service and applied to Clark’s nursing program. He completed this challenging program while balancing being a husband and father, caring for his mother, and volunteering weekly at his church to offer free meals to those in need. Despite his responsibilities, he consistently completed high-caliber work in his classes, performed his duties with diligence, and provided excellent care in hospital settings. At WSU-Vancouver, Kirpa will study to become an Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner and specialize in family medicine.
Thanks to the generosity of Clark College Foundation, the Presidential Scholarship taskforce selected two other recipients of a $1,000 scholarship each:
Alexandra Rose, associate of arts
Alita Sundberg
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society for two-year colleges selected the following graduating students for its All-Washington Academic Team, based on academic excellence and community service:
Addison Johnson, direct transfer associate degree in Bioengineering
Lisa Segretto, direct transfer associate degree in Psychology
Ethan Mahan, associate in applied technology degree in Medical Assisting; additional certification in Phlebotomy
Faculty and Staff Awards were also recognized during commencement
2024 Exceptional Faculty Award recipients:
Halina Brant-Zawadzki, Nursing
Sarah Luther, Mathematics
Sarah Blanchette, Human Services
Tanya Diaz-Kozlowski, Women’s Studies
Rebecca Engel, American Sign Language
Catherine Johnston, English as a Second Language
2024 Exceptional Classified Staff Award recipients:
Cheryl Davenport, Collections and Specialist, Library
Jennifer Lea, Program Specialist, Business department
2024 Exceptional Administrative Exempt Award recipient:
Vanessa Watkins, Director of Entry Services
2024 Lora Whitfield Social Equity Award:
Ezekial Wells, Program Specialist 3, Workforce Education Services
Congratulations, William (Tre) Sandlin, Instructional Accessibility Specialist in the Teaching and Learning Center for receiving the Spring 2024 Classified Staff Excellence Award.
A warm congratulations to the other award nominees:
Laura Borgman, Secretary Senior, Transitional Studies Division
Stephanie Hall, Secretary Senior, WPTE+ STEM Unit
Sergey Kachenkov, IT System Administration Entry, Library Services
“Tre takes the necessary time to assess the impacts of our work could have on his peers. I have the privilege of working with Tre creating accessible content. His awareness of trauma and racism and how they come into play for the content we see and deal with has made all the difference to me. For example, we were enrolled in a class about mass genocides, and one week covered mass genocides in Africa. Instead of passing that content onto me, a Black colleague, he took on that work. I could visibly see the effects it had on him. He expressed his knowledge of how racism played in mass genocides and his understanding of how that content could have affected me.”
“He serves on the art committee, and he has worked to make sure that the art being displayed is inclusive and diverse.”
“Tre works incredibly hard to make sure students have access to their learning materials so they can be successful in class and at the college regardless of their identities, experiences, or abilities. He is the fastest accessibility editor I have ever met, and he is always ready to offer support, encouragement, and expert guidance to faculty and staff who are trying to improve the accessibility of their work.”
Left to Right: Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Vanessa Neal with Tre Sandlin who received a completion certificate at the BUILD graduation ceremony this spring.
“Tre is so clearly committed to creating a world where all people are welcome and treated with respect and dignity. Tre has contributed greatly to checking the Braille signage at both the main campus and CTC as part of his work with the universal design committee. Tre just recently finished his year as part of the BUILD program and is continuing to work with his project partners. Honestly, Tre’s contributions to the college cannot be emphasized enough in terms of his work ethic, his sustained efforts to improve accessibility, and his support of students and colleagues. Tre is always striving to learn more and do better to create a more inclusive and caring workplace for all of us.”
About the Classified Staff Awards
Established in 2005, the Classified Staff Excellence Award recognizes classified staff who have demonstrated exemplary work performance, a positive and cooperative spirit, special achievements, or contributions to the college community, and supports individual and organizational diversity and inclusion. Through the support of the Clark College Foundation, the recipient will receive a $400 cash award.
Nominees must be a current classified employee who has been in their current position for more than six months. Award recipients will not be eligible for another award for three years. Visit the Clark College Employee Recognition page to learn more about this award and other ways to acknowledge the value and dedication of our staff and faculty.
Left to right: Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards, Bruce Elgort, Heidi Fay, Mackenzie Loyet, and Clark College Trustee Suzanne Donaldson.
Four newly tenured faculty members were honored at the 2024 tenure reception on May 28 in PUB (Penguin Union Building) 161. Clark’s Board of Trustees, President Dr. Karin Edwards, faculty, staff, and families gathered to celebrate the achievement of the recently tenured faculty.
During her welcome message, Dr. Edwards said, “Some have described the tenure process as a three-year professional development plan. It’s an intense process and a journey for all of you. Congratulations on your achievement.”
The following faculty members were honored:
Bruce Elgort, Computer Technology
Left to right: Computer Technology Professor Dr. William Baker, Gayle Elgort, Professor Bruce Elgort, Network Technology Professor Dwight Hughes, Dean of WPTE and STEM Theo Koupelis, and Computer Technology Professor Adam Colman.
Dean of WPTE and STEM Dr. Theo Koupelis presented Professor Bruce Elgort with his certificate.
Feedback from Professor Elgort’s students:
“You can tell he has real passion for the field and for teaching students.”
“He keeps the class engaged and he is very responsive to our needs. He is respectful, providing clear instructions and pathways to success.”
“Bruce connects with each student individually… He remembers every student by name and makes sure to address each one during the lesson. I never feel alone in his classes. He always checks if everyone is keeping up with his speed (which can be challenging at times, to be honest). Rest assured; you won’t fall asleep in his lessons!”
“Throughout my time studying at Clark College, I have not encountered a more engaging teaching style.”
“He is amazing when it comes to technology and people… He continues to help and support many of his students even after they graduate.”
Heidi Fay, Pharmacy Technician
Dean of Business and Health Sciences Dr. Scot Headley with Professor Heidi Fay, Pharmacy Tech.
Dean of Business and Health Sciences Dr. Scot Headley presented Professor Heidi Fay with her certificate.
Dr. Headley said, “Heidi is caring, competent, and committed. She has exceptional technical skills, teaching skills, and administrative skills. She maintains good relationships with our external partners, who provide our students with externships, and later, jobs.”
Feedback from Professor Fay’s students:
“Heidi provides detailed feedback on your work and how you are achieving course outcomes. She answers all questions and makes certain that all her students fully understand before moving on.”
“You can tell that Heidi wants all her students to succeed. She makes certain that her students have a full understanding of the coursework and know about available resources.”
“Heidi made it possible to understand the material well and to practice doing the work in order to be able to make a career.”
Mackenzie Loyet, Biology
Left to right: Mackenzie Loyet with fellow Biology Professor Dr. Catherine Crosby.
Dean of WPTE and STEM Dr. Theo Koupelis presented Mackenzie Loyet with her certificate.
He read comments from her colleagues, including: “Mac is an excellent instructor. She’s positive, well-organized, patient, knowledgeable, communicative, energetic, kind, caring, respectful, and very supportive of her students, who love having her as their Human Anatomy and Physiology professor, as evidenced by the glowing comments on her student evaluations.”
Feedback from Professor Loyet’s students:
“She has amazing knowledge of the content and can seamlessly explain anything you need to know. She teaches in a way that is easy to understand. Easily the best professor I’ve had at Clark.”
“She ensures her students comprehend the complex material. Her knowledge and expertise in the subject matter are evident, allowing her to effectively convey information and answer questions with clarity. What sets Professor Loyet apart is her ability to create
an engaging, enjoyable learning environment. She utilizes various teaching strategies, incorporating interactive activities, visual aids, and real-life examples to enhance understanding and retention. This approach fosters a deeper comprehension of the subject matter and keeps the class motivated and eager to learn. Professor Loyet’s approachability, teaching methods, and commitment to student success make her the best teacher I have encountered during my time at Clark.”
Heather Reynolds, Nursing
Dean of Business and Health Sciences Dr. Scot Headley presented Professor Heather Reynolds with her certificate. Associate Dean of Health Sciences Jennifer Obbard accepted the certificate on Heather’s behalf.
She said, “Heather is an exemplary faculty. She speaks up, has vision, and contributes to the department and students in so many ways that make a difference. She is a leader among faculty in the department who brings ideas that lead with equity and inclusion… Heather’s students express that she creates a safe environment, leans into challenging conversations, and supports students to deepen their learning. Heather conveys passion for teaching and genuine care for students and their success.”
Feedback from Professor Reynolds’ students:
“Professor Reynolds has been the best teacher I have experienced. She is thoughtful, funny, receptive, and shows vulnerability which provides an enriched learning environment. She makes you feel heard. She’s a good one!”
“She inspired and empowered me. I loved the personal, detailed feedback she gave for each assignment. She is thoughtful and kind with her approach.”
Learn more
Read an earlier story about Professor Elgort’s tenure here.
Read an earlier story about the tenure of professors Fay, Loyet, and Reynolds here.
Winter 2024 Classified Staff Excellence Award
Congratulations to Lucy Mackintosh, Library and Archives Paraprofessional, Access Services. Lucy is the recipient of the Winter 2024 Classified Staff Excellence Award.
Excerpts from Lucy’s nomination:
“Lucy is dedicated to making our college a more diverse and inclusive place. She is currently in the B.U.I.L.D. (Broadening Understanding, Intercultural Leadership and Development) program, and she is bringing those ideas into her job as a library technician and student employee supervisor. Lucy leads discussions and reflections on inequality in libraries as part of a training program for our student employees. She also applies these ideas in her everyday work. Lucy advocates for fair policies and decision making in Access Services. Her passion for diversity and inclusion is making a real impact in how we actually do things here.”
“Lucy’s contributions to the college community are most evident in her role as the supervisor of the library’s work study student employees. Lucy exemplifies a level of dedication and compassion that significantly enhances the experience for our students. Her leadership in fostering a positive and inclusive environment for our student employees is truly commendable. Lucy’s exceptional coaching skills shine through as she demonstrates a keen understanding of each student’s unique strengths and challenges. She not only motivates them to perform at their best but also ensures they feel valued and supported in their roles. Lucy’s empathetic approach creates a space where our student employees are comfortable being themselves, fostering a sense of belonging within the college community. She is an invaluable asset to the library and our institution.”
A student employee who is supervised by Lucy wrote: “Lucy is the star of the workplace when it comes to work spirit. Always offering to lend a hand whenever possible, even though inconvenient, and with a smile on her face, Lucy’s consistently positive spirit is inspiring. Always encouraging us student-workers to achieve high proficiency in our tasks by keeping us accountable with training, she still never forgets to be personable. The difference between her and other bosses that I have had is that she has always made me
feel like a human. I’m not just another worker-bee for her, zooming across the library with endless book shelving. I can remember multiple occasions during training where she would take time out of her busy schedule to just check in to see if I had any questions or feelings. She strives in her position of managing all student employees at the Cannell Library because she takes the energy to get to know us as people.”
We would also like to acknowledge the contributions of the other nominees:
Jami Crawford, IT Customer Support, IT Services
Adrianne Langit, IT Customer Service Technician, IT Services
Karina Sanchez, Program Specialist 3, Financial Aid
DJ Scates, Tenure Support Supervisor, Office of Instruction
Jessica Wehrman, Program Specialist 2, Enrollment Services
About the Classified Staff Awards
Established in 2005, the Classified Staff Excellence Award recognizes classified staff who have demonstrated exemplary work performance, a positive and cooperative spirit, special achievements, or contributions to the college community, and supports individual and organizational diversity and inclusion. Through the support of the Clark College Foundation, the recipient will receive a $400 cash award.
Nominees must be a current classified employee who has been in their current position for more than six months. Award recipients will not be eligible for another award for three years. Visit the Clark College Employee Recognition page to learn more about this award and other ways to acknowledge the value and dedication of our staff and faculty.
A history of Classified Award recipients
2023: Manda Levie (winter), Cheryl Davenport (spring), Heather King (summer), Andra Spencer (fall)
2022: Chris Chaffin (winter), Svitlana Havrylyuk (spring), Christopher Layfield (summer), Papel Popov (fall)
2021: Jennifer Shadley (winter), Damon Grady (spring), Jordan De Van (summer), Denise Rotellini (fall)
2020: Jennifer Stone (winter), Silvia Marinova (spring), Connor Cantrell (summer), Pedro Hernandez (fall)
2019: Sarah Seyller (winter), Amanda Brown (spring), Heather Adams (summer), Bryton Williams (fall)
2018: Eben Ayers (winter), Shelly Williams (spring), Sherry Smith (summer), Ian Beckett (fall)
2017: David Sims (winter), Aleksandr Anisimov (spring), Rebecca (Becky) Udwary (summer), Jessica Beach (fall)
2016: Judy Healy (spring), Joanne Emel (summer), Carmen Roman (fall)
