Backpacks collected during the 2017 Backpack Project.

Earlier this year, Clark College employees donated 91 backpacks filled with school supplies to the children of Clark students–a new record for what has become known as the Backpack Project.

Approximately one quarter of Clark’s students have dependent children, and back-to-school supplies can easily run to more than $100 per child. Recipients for the backpacks are identified each year by staff in Clark College departments like Workforce Education Services, Financial Aid, Veterans Affairs, Transitional Studies, Child and Family Studies, and the Office of Diversity and Equity.

As one family wrote, “Thank you, thank you, thank you! This is absolutely amazing and I am so taken with your generosity and thoughtfulness. Our family is so grateful to you!”

This was the 14th year that employees have participated in the Backpack Project. We want to acknowledge and thank all of you who have helped to provide more than 822 backpack over the years.

Each backpack is unique because the project’s organizers ask the children what their favorite colors and characters are. Many donors go out of their way to find the perfect backpack for a child, scouring stores or the Internet for the perfect Seahawks or My Little Pony theme. Others load the backpack with extra supplies and fun items. This year, one Clark employee created a book about her own horses for a young child who liked horses.

More than 70 employees donated backpacks to the project this year, for a variety of reasons. Some do not have children at home but want to participate in the excitement of back-to-school time, while others are parents who are working to instill the value of giving in their own children. Many departments also make this a team project and take an after-work shopping trip together. Whatever their reasons, the Backpack Project brings as much joy to those who give as it does to those who receive the backpacks.

If you would like to participate in the Backpack Project next year, watch for a collegewide email sent in July; backpacks are generally due by mid-August so that children can receive them before the new school year starts.

This article was contributed by Planning & Effectiveness Administrative Assistant Cindy Heck and ctcLink Manager Susan Maxwell, who co-organize the Backpack Project each year. Photos contributed by Clark College Workforce Education Services and by student parents.

Stage Manager Mark Owsley steps out from behind the scenes to accept a service award at Opening Day.

Opening Day on Sept. 12 marked several celebrations of employee contributions to the college. Employees were recognized for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years of service to the college. Three employees–Facilities Services Maintenance Mechanic Daniel Simonson, Engineering professor Christina Barsotti, and Mathematics professor Tracy Nehnevaj–earned recognition for 25 years of service to the college, while Stage Manager Mark Owsley stepped out from behind the backdrop to accept a plaque for 30 years of service. And, in a surprise gesture, Board of Trustees chair Jada Rupley presented President Bob Knight with a Clark basketball jersey commemorating his 10th anniversary as college president.

President Knight holds a basketball jersey given to mark his 10th anniversary as college president.

“Currently the average tenure of a community college president is three and a half years,” noted Rupley. “We’re lucky to have someone who’s remained dedicated to our college for 10 years.”

Additionally, the recipients of the annual Exceptional Faculty Awards and quarterly Classified Staff Excellence Awards were recognized. The faculty awards are announced at Commencement and the quarterly Classified staff awards are announced each quarter. Additionally, two Classified Excellence Award nominees were announced to be recipients of the annual Exceptional Classified Staff Awards: Aleksandr Anisimov and Tia Schmidt.

Five Clark College employees received Presidential Coins during Opening Day. Introduced in 2007 by President Bob Knight, the coin is given to faculty and staff members who provide exemplary service to Clark students, the college and the community. The honorees are decided by the president and are kept secret until the names are announced–generally on Opening Day in the fall or during the annual State of the College address in January. The newest coin recipients are:

Sean Janson

Sean Janson started at Clark as an assistant men’s soccer coach in 2007. He became head coach of the women’s soccer team in 2014, and has led the Penguins to be one of the most dominant forces in their league. In 2017, they won the Northwest Athletic Conference South Region Title for the first time in college history. Additionally, the team held a 2.94 cumulative GPA, and eight out of nine sophomores on the team signed letters of intent at four-year institutions.

Roberta Roche, who has worked at Clark for more than 40 years, accepts a Presidential Coin at the 2017 Opening Day employee recognition.

Roberta Roche

Roberta Roche first joined Clark in 1973 as a part-time Clerk-Typist. She has served in several positions and departments over her four decades at Clark; currently, she is a Program Specialist 2 in the Office of Financial Aid, where she serves as the central point of contact for outside agencies who provide funding for students. During the 2016-2017 year, she processed more than $1.2 million in outside agency funding. Knight remarked, “One outside agency representative recently commented that he has worked with numerous colleges, and the support and direction that she provided far outweighed any other help that he had received.”

Sherry Smith

Sherry Smith serves as the STEM Administrative Services Manager. She was commended for her role in moving departments into the new STEM Building with few problems. “She works quietly but she is very effective in supporting the STEM unit,” said Knight.

Toccara Stark

Toccara Stark has served as Director of Marketing at Clark since August 2015 and, Knight said, “It is hard to think of anyone who has had such a great effect in such a short amount of time.” Stark has led the college’s rebranding effort and has been instrumental in many college initiatives. She also works regularly with Clark College Foundation and community stakeholders on behalf of the college.

Kristy Taylor

Faculty member Kristy Taylor was recently named the director of Clark’s Dental Hygiene program after serving as interim director for two years. She oversaw the program’s recent and successful accreditation review. Taylor also serves on several college committees, including Academic Planning. Knight called her “a strong advocate for Clark students.”

To see more photos from Opening Day, visit the college’s Flickr album.

Read more about Opening Day on our news site.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Clark employees enter O’Connell Sports Complex to attend Opening Day.

Fall was in the air on Monday, September 18. Not only did the day see the first substantial rainfall in months—a change welcomed by many, with their thoughts on this summer’s devastating wildfire season—but it was also the occasion for Clark College faculty and staff to gather once again and greet a new academic year at the college’s annual Opening Day celebration.

The event highlighted a year in which the college will be, in many ways, re-envisioning itself. President Bob Knight opened his remarks with lessons that he and other college leadership had gained Dr. Margaret Wheatley’s book, Who Do We Choose to Be?: Facing Reality, Claiming Leadership, Restoring Sanity. “In a world that is sometimes chaotic at best, every day, faculty and staff have the opportunity to do extraordinary things that change the lives of students, improve the community, and ultimately impact our world,” he said, adding that the college is adapting to expand those opportunities.

Board of Trustees Chair Jada Rupley echoed that theme, discussing the board’s role in approving the college’s Strategic and Academic plans that are designed, in large part, to help boost student retention and completion rates. “Now the hard work is what needs to be done—and that’s your work,” she said.

Knight went on to enumerate some of aspects of that work, including the college’s progress toward the Guided Pathways model of higher education, which has led to the creation of a new “Areas of Study” map that changes the way current programs are organized. He also talked about new systems put in place to provide shared governance at the college, as well as continued work toward realizing the college’s Social Equity Plan.

In speaking about social equity, Knight addressed the plight of Clark students covered by Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a currently threatened program that provides limited protection to undocumented immigrants who grew up in the United States. “Our DACA students are welcome here at Clark College,” said Knight. He continued over the noise of a standing ovation, “We’re an open-access college and we’re here for everyone!”

Knight received another standing ovation shortly afterward when he announced the opening of the college’s new Penguin Pantry, an on-campus food bank that began serving students this summer. “This new service recognizes that our students make difficult choices with their money every day, and we don’t want hunger to limit a student’s ability to learn,” he said.

Knight also looked forward to the McClaskey Culinary Institute opening later in the year—“We’ll be eating there very soon, so hang on”—and thanked the Clark College Foundation for its support in funding the new facility.

President Bob Knight congratulates Clark alumna Dr. Inva Begolli during the college’s 2017 Opening Day.

Then, in a reminder of what the college has already accomplished, he invited Dr. Inva Begolli to join him at the podium. Begolli, who graduated from Clark in 2011 after fleeing her native Albania, earned a full scholarship to continue her education at Washington State University. Earlier this year, she earned her doctorate in Pharmacy from Pacific University. “This lady is an example of what we do here at Clark College,” said Knight. “She wants to be the Health Minister of Albania one day, and I believe she will be.”

Knight said that another way the college is adapting to meet its students is through a months-long rebranding effort. “As we continue to struggle through an enrollment crisis, it is important to take a step back and evaluate who we are, if others know who we are, and most importantly, if who we are matches who or what people think we are,” he said.

Employees received weekly planners with key brand messages inside them and viewed a video covering key elements of the brand. As is Opening Day tradition, a music video featuring employees was unveiled, and employees were honored with awards, Presidential Coins, and service-anniversary recognitions. The event ended with lunch in Gaiser Student Center.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Rebecca Udwary

Congratulations to Rebecca (Becky) Udwary, recipient of the 2017 Summer Quarter Classified Staff Excellence Award!

Udwary is Secretary Senior for the Art & Theatre department and is described as someone who “demonstrates her commitment to the College Community in a number of ways.” Whether Udwary is serving on Clark College’s Safety Committee, assisting someone in need, coordinating usher coverage for all Clark College Theatre productions, applying data analysis techniques to find equitable practices that better accommodate the needs of students and her department, or greeting folks with a warm, friendly smile – she is seen as a “valued member of the Penguin Nation.”

Other comments about Udwary include:

Udwary is described as someone who treats those she meets with respect and understanding. One nominator wrote, “Becky maintains a welcoming, upbeat, ‘can-do’ attitude within our whole department. No problem is too small or big for Becky. I’ve seen her greet lost people tumbling in off the street with the same graciousness as she would the president of the college. Becky does a particularly good job of meeting the needs of both faculty and students in the Art department, and does an excellent job of communicating back and forth across that spectrum. Students and faculty all appreciate how welcoming, informative and helpful Becky is.”

Udwary is not only described as welcoming and supportive, but as someone with many diverse talents and interest areas. In fact, one nominator wrote, “Her talents know no bounds.” With a former career in information technology (IT), Udwary applies her skills in graphic design, social media promotion, and troubleshooting to assist the needs of her department. Outside of her interest in technology, “Becky has enthusiastically taken classes in photography and ceramics, as evidence of her comfort in being in the ‘learner’s seat’ at Clark – a good role model for us all!”

Directly related to her job, Udwary models excellent work performance and outstanding customer service to the college and broader community. A nominator mentioned, “Becky operates as a highly skilled professional, assisting the Art department with advanced administrative techniques and acumen. Each quarter, Becky compiles a spreadsheet that outlines all of the Art classes, class times, instructors, and class locations. This spreadsheet enables students and faculty to quickly determine the most efficient means of addressing their needs. It is an invaluable resource.”

Udwary not only provides great assistance to her department, but also does so for Clark College’s Safety Committee. One nominator wrote, “In addition to being pleasant, helpful, and willing to help others on campus, Becky also directly contributed to making Clark College a safer place to work and study.” An example of this is when Udwary volunteered “to expand her role as an Emergency Building Coordinator to serve as a member of the Emergency Communications Team and acting as the South Campus Lead. In that role she helped to restructure the radio communications protocols for the Emergency Building Coordinators (EBC’s), took a lead role in reprogramming all EBC radios, found time to help the Emergency Manger conduct comprehensive testing of two separate radio systems, provided training to her fellow EBCs on the new radio protocols, and took on a lead role in coordinating communications during the evacuation drills that were conducted on main campus in May.”

Congratulations, as well, to all nominees for the 2017 Summer Quarter Classified Staff Excellence Award:

Jessica Beach is Secretary Senior for Transitional Studies. She is described as an excellent employee who displays a “can-do” attitude, is tenacious when faced with problems, knowledgeable, thorough and efficient, and provides outstanding customer service. She is also commended for attending trainings to “increase her skills as a supervisor and understanding of labor law.”

Additionally, nominators say, Beach goes above and beyond by offering to take on additional tasks, contributing creative solutions, and extending her great customer service to other departments. One nominator said, “Jessica is thorough and efficient in the way that she supports 65 employees in the Transitional Studies Division (50 faculty and 15 staff). She is quick to respond to emails, phone calls, and in-person inquiries. When there are problems, she is an excellent researcher and digs into the details and stays with it until everything is sorted out.”

Below are comments from Beach’s colleagues:

• “I sincerely appreciate Jessica and her top-notch organizational skills. I know that I couldn’t do any part of my job– whether it’s teaching or working as division chair– without stellar staff like her.”
• “Jessica is very supportive and assisting; she responds to needs quickly, and is always there to either assist with things directly or to help identify the right person if a request is outside of her role. I know that if I have a question or request Jessica will take care of it in a timely and thorough manner. I really appreciate this about her.”
• “Jessica is always willing to help me navigate the paperwork involved with attending conferences [and] ordering supplies. She is very professional and timely and knows what she is doing.”
• “Jessica is very knowledgeable! She is patient in her training and shows appreciation for a job well done.”
• “Jessica does a great job of keeping the team moving toward our goals, maintaining a productive work environment.”
• “Jessica is an optimistic and enthusiastic team member, and she’s not only good at collaborating, but she also makes it fun. The work environment is made better by Jessica’s presence: She creates a welcoming and productive work space here, and this helps everyone else do their job more easily.”

Roslyn Leon Guerrero is Administrative Assistant 4 for the Office of Diversity and Equity. Colleagues praised her support of the Office of Diversity and Equity as a safe space on campus for anyone who needs it. They also noted her “strong commitment and advocacy for students and coworker of color” and that she “is devoted to supporting those in the community who have been most vulnerable.” Always providing a welcoming atmosphere with a “warm and friendly face,” Leon Guerrero “helps to break down barriers, eliminates fears and helps students be successful while still honoring their authentic selves.” Recently, she received a full scholarship for the National Pacific American Leadership Institute (NAPALI) – Hawaiian word for “the cliffs” – to continue training as a Pacific American Emerging Leader. Additionally, in 2016, Leon Guerrero was appointed by Governor Jay Inslee to be a Commissioner for the Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs. As a Commissioner, she is one of the 12 advisory board members appointed to be a voice for Washington’s Asian Pacific American communities.

Below are comments from Leon Guerrero’s colleagues:

• “One way she provides support is by serving as one of the Advisors for APIC (Asian Pacific Islander Club). Roslyn has worked with students to help organize culturally specific events and activities on campus, created and maintained relationships with community organizations servicing the API community, which in turn creates resources and opportunities for our students. Roslyn’s advocacy for students stretches beyond our campus and will have a lasting impact on our community.”
• “She is a trusted resource who will advocate for what is equitable and fair.”

Gayla Shanahan is a Grounds and Nursery Specialist 3 in the Grounds Department. She is said to go above and beyond in working to keep the main campus in such great shape. The campus is often described as beautiful and lush, and Shanahan plays an important role in making that happen.

Below are comments from Gayla’s colleagues:

• “I always see Gayla going above and beyond at work.”
• “She does an amazing job and deserves to be recognized for it.”
• “The areas of campus that she tends to are always so lush and beautiful.”
• “She really puts passion into her job and we all benefit from how hard she works.”

Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Aleksandr Anisimov

Congratulations to Aleksandr Anisimov, recipient of the 2017 Spring Quarter Classified Staff Excellence Award!

Anisimov is an eLearning Systems Specialist for the eLearning department and is described as someone who is “admired, respected, and appreciated by his peers and those he works with.”

Other comments about Anisimov include:

Anisimov is described as being someone who displays and exemplary work performance and “demonstrates what any institution of higher learning should represent: professionalism, academic excellence, and commitment to education.” One individual commented, “Alex is dedicated, resilient, creative, patient and kind. I know if I have an issue, Alex will solve the problem and explain what he’s done to improve the system. He is so very humble, never demanding, yet firm in his convictions.”

Anisimov has much enthusiasm for what he does and goes out of his way to assist faculty and students alike. One person commented, “Numerous times per quarter, I have seen Alex run out of the office and over to the TechHub in the library to help a student with a particularly difficult laptop, tablet or phone issue. He wants to personally see the problem, gather the facts and propose a solution. Often the student is under deadline pressure and Alex is outstanding at bringing a calming presence and logic to the situation. He will also reach out and call students who have requested phone assistance with Canvas issues they are having.”

Anisimov is responsible for providing support for a variety of services and systems to a very diverse group (students, faculty, and staff). One nominator wrote, “Operating complex enterprise scale technology systems requires dedicated individual initiative delivered in a team environment. For example, when rolling out the new Canvas User Interface, Alex applied extra individual effort to maintain user confidence and support, while at the same time moved forward with the team to successfully achieve the implementation we had to complete.”

Described as someone who delivers a “high level of service,” Anisimov’s nominators say that he is “a highly valued member of the eLearning department and CLASS unit. He has a genuine enthusiasm for helping faculty and students. I often receive compliments from faculty and staff about the consistently high level of service that they receive from Alex. Courteous, polite, thorough, effective–are all terms that I have heard frequently.”

Members of Anisimov’s team said, “As a co-worker, as a person, Alex is so worthy of this award!”

Congratulations, as well, to other nominees for the 2017 Spring Quarter Classified Staff Excellence Award:

Kay Martinez is at Custodian 1 for the Custodial Services department. Kay is described as someone who is a hard worker and follows through on her assignments. One nominator said, “Almost every Monday and Wednesday when I arrive at the STEM building at 6:30 a.m., I see Kay Martinez hard at work. She is wiping down table tops and tidying classrooms or using her backpack vacuum cleaner on the ‘miles’ of carpet in the building.” Though working hard, she is described as always taking time to be welcoming towards faculty, staff, and students. One nominator said, “I look forward to saying, “Hello,” and exchanging a few words with her in the morning … Kay’s excellent work ethic and affability have come up in conversations I have had with other STEM faculty and staff.” Other comments about Martinez include:

• “She is always willing to help. If she sees something needs doing, she just does it with a very positive attitude.”
• “Kay is thorough, conscientious and a pleasure to be around.”
• “You can just tell she is a very dedicated worker and she is very much appreciated.”
•  “She and her staff have been amazing in keeping our areas clean, our classrooms clean, our boards cleaned, etc.  It is wonderful.”
• “She is very focused on doing her work right the first time and completing each task with expediency.  In all my encounters with Kay she has always showed a smile and a work ethic…”

Reesa McAllister is a Secretary Senior for the Computer Technology (CTEC) Division and is described as someone who has an “exemplary” work performance. McAllister brings a “balance to our chaotic and hectic high-tech CTEC division,” wrote one nominator. “She provides faculty with the peace of mind and assurance that whatever support our students or departments need will get done in a timely, efficient, and thorough process.” A faculty member from McAllister’s division recently shared that “Reesa should be noted for her flexibility … She continues to expand her knowledge of our department and is an excellent resource for inquiring students and the public at large.” McAllister is someone who is confident and well organized, providing “excellent support for her division.” When challenges arise, McAllister not only provides support for her division, but will also offer support to other units. For instance, “Reesa has reached beyond her division by helping with activities necessary for the Culinary Arts remodel project (packing boxes and cleaning offices).” Overall, McAllister “demonstrates a cooperative spirit and does her part to make Clark College a positive environment for faculty, staff, students and all constituent groups.”

Other comments about McAllister include:

• “I appreciate her graceful diligence, her proactive approach, clear communication and delightful demeanor. Her positive attitude and warm/personal presence diffuses our stress.”
• “Reesa keeps us moving forward, keeps us honest, and keeps us super-organized and informed!”
• “Reesa demonstrates a cooperative spirit and does her part to make Clark College a positive environment for faculty, staff, students and all constituent groups.”

Amy Tam works as a Program Specialist 2 for Enrollment Services. Tam is described as an “exceptional employee” who “always has a welcoming smile and a positive attitude.” Working in the Welcome Center, Tam’s work “touches both new and continuing students, as well as coworkers across multiple departments. Each person she encounters feels special and receives the highest excellence in service.” Serving as an inspiration for her coworkers to “go above and beyond,” Tam’s commitment is described as “admirable.”

Tam oversees the Student Ambassador Program, a leadership opportunity for students who are dedicated to serving Clark College. In this role, Tam is committed to not only supervising Student Ambassadors, but also assisting them in overcoming obstacles they may encounter while trying to finish their degree program. A nominator said, “A student was feeling defeated and needed someone to help them find perspective. Amy was that person, she listened and encouraged the student.”

Another nominator said, “Amy is the employee and steward of higher education that the Clark College community deserves. She whole-heartedly devotes her time and energy as an advocate and mentor to both student and college staff.”

Other comments about Tam include:

• “Amy is a people person who see the strengths in others, looks for opportunities to involve them, then allows them to lead.”
• “I have appreciated her professionalism and consistent commitment towards student success for some of our most vulnerable populations.”
• “Amy’s dedication to helping others succeed is [a] great gift to Clark College and our community.”
• “I have worked with Amy Tam since 2010 in some capacity and have never worked with a more consistently positive, upbeat, competent and helpful colleague!”
• Tam is overall described as someone who is “always doing what is best for the students and her co-workers. I could not ask for a better colleague than her.”

Tia Schmidt is an Administrative Assistant 3 in the Nursing Department and is described as someone who “consistently demonstrates excellence in her work.” Schmidt has “excellent attention to detail” and uses her experience in project management to assist in complex projects. A nominator said this about Schmidt: “During our implementation of new software for tracking student clinical requirements, Tia pitched in and helped team members with various aspects of onboarding students. This was a large-scale project, and Tia recognized that extra help was needed in order to make the project successful. Tia made phone calls to students and met with individual students to help them access the system when needed.”

Schmidt is described as a leader who takes initiative and as someone who is creative, helpful, and respectful. Schmidt’s nominator said, “Tia considers the team and department in everything that she does. She is inclusive and collaborative in her work, and takes actions based on the best interests of the department, unit and college. Tia is respectful of others and is sensitive to their needs. She goes out of her way to make sure people feel noticed and recognized for their efforts.”

Other comments about Schmidt include:

• “Tia takes a creative approach and finds ways to make our projects fun. She has a knack for identifying opportunities to enhance teamwork and build positive relationships.”
• “She is highly organized and solves problems with a systems focus.”
• “She has helped our department build positive relationships with community partners through work on the WSUV/Clark College Preceptor Event, Hilma Speights Foundation events, and others.”

Kate Cook

Math professor Kate Cook was granted tenure during the Clark College Board of Trustees meeting on June 14.

Cook earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics and education at Principia College in Illinois and her master’s degree in mathematics at California State University, East Bay. She has previous teaching experience at Portland Community College and began teaching at Clark as an adjunct in 2008.

Cook’s involvement at Clark includes leading the Core to College Grant team, serving as the course coordinator for statistics courses in the Mathematics Department, and presenting mathematics worksheet ideas at local and national conferences.

“I try to meet the student at their level and encourage them forward to new confidence and ability in math,” said Cook, who lives in Vancouver. “I’ve found that a bit of humor helps make that rocky path more enjoyable.”

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.

During the 2017 Commencement ceremony, President Robert K. Knight announced the names of the recipients of the 2017 Clark College Exceptional Faculty Awards. The awards are presented annually to full-time and part-time faculty members. Nominations can be submitted by Clark College students, faculty, classified employees, administrators, alumni, Board members, and Foundation directors.

The awards are made possible through an endowed trust fund established by the Washington State Legislature and the Clark College Exceptional Faculty Endowment Fund, which was established in 1993. That fund provides recognition of exemplary work performance, positive impact on students, professional commitment, and other contributions to the college.

This year’s Exceptional Faculty members are:

• Patricia A. Atkinson, instructor of economics
• Dr. John Caruso, instructor of English
• Becky Engel, instructor of American Sign Language
• Dr. Nicholas Macias, instructor of computer science and engineering
• Brian McVay, professor of welding

Patricia A. Atkinson, Economics

When Patricia Atkinson was an undergraduate, she was an enthusiastic student—but not a focused one. “I loved all my studies, from history and geography to math and science,” she said.

It was only in her junior year of college, when she took her first economics course—a field that combined aspects of all those disciplines—that Atkinson found her true academic passion.

Today, Atkinson passes that passion on to her students. “She made me enjoy and understand a subject that I disliked and struggled with in the past,” wrote one nominator. “She always would go out of her way to make sure we understood the material by relating it to real-life experiences.”

Another student wrote, “She allowed me to understand and appreciate what college can be. … Professor Atkinson showed me that college is about learning, engaging, participating, and enhancing your personal capital.”

Atkinson, who has taught at Clark since 2009, is currently a tenure-track instructor at the college. She has also taught at Portland Community College, University of Phoenix, and Portland State University, where she earned her master’s degree in economics. She is currently completing her doctorate degree in education leadership at Washington State University Vancouver.

Dr. John Caruso, English

Most kids’ first jobs are something along the lines of babysitting or mowing lawns—John Caruso’s, which he began at age 13, was writing book reviews for the local newspaper. So it’s not all that surprising that he grew up to be an English professor.

“I love learning, and I love helping my students learn,” Caruso said. “When you have an active, alert mind, talking about ideas and language is like playing your favorite sport. I feel blessed to spend my days doing something that I enjoy, and doubly blessed that what I enjoy also improves the lives of my students.”

Students clearly count Caruso as a blessing, too. “John makes everyone want to engage in class activities and discussions,” wrote one nominator. “Even the more shy kids are raising their hands. We all felt safe and valued in his class.”

Caruso said that his own experience as a first-generation college student helps him create a welcoming environment for the diverse student body he teaches at Clark. (He also teaches at Marylhurst University.) He earned his bachelor’s degree at UCLA; his master’s, at California State University Chico; and his doctorate in English at the University of Washington. He has taught English for two decades, and at Clark for the past six years. A frequently published writer of short fiction, Caruso is expecting his first full-length novel, The Lawn Job, to be published by Cloud Lodge Books later this year.

Becky Engel, American Sign Language

When students describe Rebecca Engel, they mention her supportiveness, her individual attention, and her flexibility in presenting material in a range of teaching styles.

“I see myself as a chameleon of sorts, always adapting to the different needs and learning styles the students present,” Engel said. “I picked up this skill in my first teaching job in the K-12 system. I had deaf students of all levels, so I was constantly adapting to meet their needs and learning styles.”

Students say they appreciate Engel’s adaptability, as well as the unique perspective she is able to provide as a Deaf person herself. “Becky strives to teach her classes about Deaf culture and how to interact within the Deaf community,” wrote one nominator. “Not only does she teach ASL, but she also teaches us proper etiquette, what to expect when in a Deaf community event, and other important things that help us learn how to interact with the Deaf community.”

Engel earned her bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University and her Master of Deaf Education from Western Oregon University. She taught at the Washington School for the Deaf before becoming an instructor at Clark College. Currently she is a tenure-track instructor at the college, teaching not only standard language classes but also a course in American Deaf Culture and a special Honors Program language class. She serves on the ASL advisory boards for the Vancouver, Battle Ground, Evergreen, and Camas school districts, as well as on Clark College’s Social Equity Task Force and Emergency Building Coordinator Committee.

Dr. Nicholas Macias, Computer Science and Engineering

Dr. Nicholas Macias has had an almost life-long fascination with computers. He began playing around with programming on the computers at his high school, even though he wasn’t yet old enough to take the school’s computer science classes. “I’d pull people’s code out of the garbage, uncrumple it, type it in, and try to figure out what it did,” he recalls.

That boundless curiosity and enthusiasm is still on display now that he teaches computer science himself. “He’s intensely passionate not just about teaching, but also about learning,” wrote a student in nominating him. “He’s dedicated so much of his life to the work that he loves, and it always shines through.”

Dr. Macias earned his master’s degree in computer science from George Washington University and another in mathematics from Duke University. He earned his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Virginia Polytechnic University. He spent many years as a computer scientist in both government and private enterprise before deciding to focus full-time on teaching. He has taught at Clark since 2011 and has served as a faculty advisor for both the Computer Science and Engineering and the MARS Robotics student clubs.

“Knowing that this award is based in part on student input means so much to me,” said Dr. Macias. “I like to believe that I’m helping students, even when I know I’m making them work hard and they’d rather have the weekend free! This award feels like a very big ‘Thank You,’ and gives me hope that what I’m doing really is making a difference.”

Brian McVay, Welding

You could say welding runs in Brian McVay’s blood—both his father and stepfather were welders, and his mother worked as a machinist on nuclear submarines. “In the eighth grade, I knew what I wanted to do,” he said.

McVay studied welding at Clark College before being accepted into a boilermaker apprenticeship. Later, he returned to Clark for further studies to prepare for an apprenticeship as an ironworker, a job he held for 17 years. “I always came back to Clark,” he said, noting that he returned to the college again for management classes later in his career. “Education has been something that I really value. I wake up in the morning looking forward to learning something new that day.”

In 2014, he found himself returning to Clark again—this time, to teach. He said he enjoys being able to give back to a place that taught him so much, preparing students for today’s industrial jobs.

“I tell my students on the first day of class, ‘I don’t give you a grade. You earn your grade,’” he said. “I run my shop like it would be run in the industry.”

Students appreciate his “tough love” approach. “Mr. McVay has a very ‘let’s get it done now’ attitude,” wrote a nominator. “However, he never teaches us to prioritize the work over safety. … He pushes us ahead in order to help us achieve more.”

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Clark College has recently welcomed several exceptional educational professionals to its leadership team.

New hires and appointments include Dr. Loretta Capehart as Associate Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Judith Hernandez Chapar as the Director of the Teaching & Learning Center; Brenda Walstead as Dean of Business and Health Sciences; and Jim Wilkins-Luton as Dean of Transitional Studies, English, Communications and Humanities (BEECH).

Dr. Loretta Capeheart

Dr. Capeheart has a B.A. in psychology from the University of Texas, an M.A. in Sociology from Texas State University, and a Ph.D. in Sociology for Texas Woman’s University. She has previous work experience as a faculty member at the University of Idaho and at Northeastern Illinois University, among other institutions. Most recently, she was at the Portland Police Bureau, where she served as an analyst and as Acting Equity and Diversity Manager. Dr. Capeheart has written about and taught extensively on the subjects of diversity, inclusion, and social justice. She is the author of a book called Social Justice: Theories, Issues and Movements.

Clark College President Bob Knight stated: “This position is important to our Strategic Plan and social equity work. As I read the feedback from across the college, it was clear that Dr. Capeheart has the necessary skills and experience to continue the good work that has been started on the college’s Social Equity Plan and lead us forward.”

Dr. Judith Hernández Chapar

Dr. Hernández Chapar earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in Education from Oregon State University with a focus on Community College Leadership. She also holds degrees in Social Work, Psychology, and Women’s Studies. She is currently working on a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at San Diego State University, where she is researching the student engagement patterns of underserved community college students with faculty, as well as community college pathways for underrepresented students in STEM.

Dr. Hernández Chapar is familiar with the Washington state community and technical college system, having worked at both South Puget Sound Community College and at Lower Columbia College. Her work experience includes leading, designing, delivering, and assessing First Year Experience and TRiO programs and curriculum to promote student experiences focused on retention, persistence, and degree completion.

Jim Wilkins-Luton

Jim Wilkins-Luton holds a Master of Arts degree in Literature and Composition from Gonzaga University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in British and American Literature from Whitworth University. He taught English and lived in Japan for eight years prior to settling in Clark County. Wilkins-Luton has worked for Clark College since 2000, beginning as an adjunct faculty member and earning tenure in 2006.

During his time at Clark, Wilkins-Luton has taught English as a Second Language, pre-college English, and college-level composition and literature classes. He earned Clark’s prestigious Exceptional Faculty Awardfor the 2013-2014 academic year; one student who nominated him for the award wrote, “[He] makes all students completely comfortable in the classroom.” Wilkins-Luton has been the interim Dean of BEECH since 2015.

Dr. Brenda Walstead

Dr. Brenda Walstead has worked for Clark College for 21 years, starting as an adjunct instructor in Dental Hygiene. But her history at Clark goes beyond that: She earned he associate degree from Clark before going on to earn a B.S. from Concordia University, an M.S. at Portland State University, and an Ed.D. from Walden University.

During her tenure at Clark, Dr. Walstead has served as the Director of the Dental Hygiene program and led the creation of Clark’s two bachelor’s degree programs. She served as an Outcomes Assessment Liaison and on numerous collegewide committees. Most recently, she served as Interim Dean of the Business and Health Sciences, and was named to the non-interim position after a nationwide search. Feedback from the college during that hiring process consistently noted her ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff and administration as well as her knowledge of the Business and Health Science Unit.

The Tod & Maxine McClaskey Culinary Institute will boast an artisanal bakery, barista station, and comfortable seating.

On May 16 and 17, faculty from Clark College’s new Cuisine Management and Baking and Pastry Arts programs answered questions from the college community about how those programs would affect Clark when they re-opened in fall 2017.

Clark’s Culinary Arts – Cooking/Restaurant Management program was put on hiatus in 2013 in order to modernize the curriculum and facilities. The Culinary Arts – Baking/Bakery Management program was put on hiatus in 2015, when it was determined that the program could not continue running while the culinary facilities were being remodeled. Thanks to fundraising efforts by Clark College Foundation, the Tod and Maxine McClaskey Culinary Institute will open in fall 2017, housing both programs as well as dining facilities for the main campus.

Sneak peek inside the McClaskey Culinary Institute during construction, showing the windows that will look into the baking and chocolate-production kitchens.

While existing in approximately the same location on the north side of Gaiser Hall, the new dining space will bear little resemblance to the old college cafeteria. It will feature comfortable seating, plenty of natural light from tall windows, and internal windows that look onto the Baking and Pastry Arts kitchens. Four food kiosks will serve patrons: a grab-and-go kiosk; Pacific Northwest cuisine; international fare; and a kiosk serving rotating cook-to-order items based on seasonality and curriculum that can also be used for guest chefs and lectures. Additionally, a retail bakery will serve all the treats and breads that patrons remember (plus some fun new ones) as well as coffee and espresso. Bakery students will be learning barista techniques in their curriculum, and faculty are currently working with local coffee roasters to possibly create a custom Clark College blend.

Because the dining facilities’ staff will include work-study students and a full-time manager, the kiosks will be able to serve customers during breaks and evenings, instead of adhering to the limited hours of the old cafeteria.

A full-service restaurant run by second-year Cuisine Management students will open in 2018. Faculty shared that, in addition to working with farmers to source food locally when possible, the institute will offer special seasonally themed foods and international cuisine.

The east side of the dining area will feature large windows and space for outdoor seating. 

The kitchen side of the facility is also being significantly re-imagined and modernized to improve efficiency and to give students a better understanding of modern work environments in their fields. The new facilities were designed with significant input from the faculty and staff who will be working in them, including Bakery and Pastry Arts professor Alison Dolder, Cuisine lead instructor Earl Frederick, Cuisine professor Aaron Guerra, and Cuisine instructor Daryl Oest.

During one of the open forums, Dolder said that she is already exploring options for partnering with the Penguin Pantry, an on-campus food pantry scheduled to open this summer to serve food-insecure students. A similar idea on the table is to create a “pay it forward” system where patrons could pay for vouchers for drinks and snacks that could be distributed to students through the Penguin Pantry—something that will be much easier to do since the new dining area, unlike the old cafeteria, will be fully computerized and able to accept credit cards.

Employee climate surveys have routinely registered dissatisfaction with the dining options on campus. Genevieve Howard, Dean of Workforce, Professional and Technical Education, said that the McClaskey Institute would provide the campus with the food service employees have been asking for. “We heard you loud and clear,” she said.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Architectural drawing: Yost Grube Hall

The Clark College Wellness Team includes, left to right, Steve DaMassa; Vanessa Neal; Guisela Eberle; Tahnya Huneidi; Veronica Brock;
Darci Feider. Not pictured: Rebecca Benson and Julie Taylor.

Join your Clark College Wellness Team in celebrating SmartHealth Week, an annual celebration of health and wellness, June 5-11.

We will be waiting for you near the Chime Tower and will start walking promptly at the times listed below. Remember, you can join us on the college’s Penguin Pathway at any point during a walk (search for the blue shirts). Invite a fellow Penguin to walk with you!

As supplies last, there will be SmartHealth giveaways for those who join us.

Scroll down for next week’s activity schedule and remember, your wellness matters!

New to SmartHealth? See what it is about by watching the SmartHealth How-To video.

Walk Schedule

Note: All walks start at the Chime Tower.

Monday, June 5

• 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
• 2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Tuesday, June 6

• 12:15 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• 2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Wednesday, June 7

• 11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
• 4:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Thursday, June 8

• 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
• 2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Friday, June 9

• 12:00 p.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley