Each of the 12 runners run 3 legs over the two-day event. Here is an info video to show you how fun this event is: https://youtu.be/1m_1Vm666bc
$266 per runner.
We are also looking for drivers of our two 12 passenger vans.
August 26-27, 2022
If you have any questions, or are interested in joining, please send Haley Tucker an email at htucker@clark.edu.
Clark professor answers COVID-19 questions
Biology professor Steven Clark
Have questions about COVID-19 and vaccinations? Biology professor Steven Clark created an informative video lecture on the virus, vaccines, and immunity. Watch until the end to catch a question-and-answer session conducted with Clark College employees who attended Professor Clark’s Zoom seminar.
Clark vaccination clinic Sept. 1 (UPDATE: Event Canceled)
Rekah Strong, Chair of the Clark College Board of Trustees, receiving her COVID-19 vaccination at a free clinic held by the college in May 2021. Photo courtesy of Rekah Strong.
UPDATE: This event was canceled due to low enrollment.
Clark College, WPEA and CCAHE are holding a vaccination clinic on Wednesday, September 1 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Clark College in the STEM Building. Sign up for an appointment here.
On August 18, Governor Inslee announced a mandate requiring all educators, including higher education workers, be vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 18, 2021. This mandate applies to all higher education workers whether working remotely or in person, and whether part-time temporary or full-time. It also applies to student workers.
In order to be fully vaccinated, people need to receive two doses of the Moderna vaccine spaced weeks apart. The second-dose vaccination clinic will be held on Wednesday, September 29 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
This event is free. You do not have to pay for the vaccine. The event is being held for Clark College employees and students, but other members of the public are welcome to make appointments as well.
For more information contact CCAHE President Suzanne Southerland at ssoutherland@clark.edu.
Spring 2021 Classified Staff Excellence Award recipient: Damon Grady
Damon Grady
Congratulations to Damon Grady, Campus Security Sergeant, Security and Safety Services, recipient of the 2021 Spring Quarter Classified Staff Excellence Award!
Damon Grady has been with Clark College’s Security and Safety Department since 1997. He served as a Campus Security Officer for 20 years before being promoted to the sergeant’s rank in January of 2018. Comments about Grady include:
“He frequently takes after-hours calls and adjusts his shifts so that his people get the support they need. Managing the schedule for 17 people, half of whom are part-time, to provide 24-hour coverage is a difficult and complicated endeavor.”
“Damon has gone beyond his role. When he noticed the decrease in on-campus staff presences, he purposefully expanded his knowledge on all the student-facing services and learned how they work to best support Clark students so he would be prepared to answer students’ questions during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Damon works closely with his subordinates to ensure they have the training and guidance necessary to be successful in their respective roles.”
“Damon responded to a medical call that involved a person with a life-threatening injury. He was quick to respond while properly assessing the situation and keeping those involved safe and calm until EMS arrived.”
Congratulations as well to the other Spring 2021 nominees:
Jordan De Van- Program Specialist, Enrollment Services
Kayla Escott- Program Manager, Financial Aid
Malissa Pierce- Program Specialist, Transitional Studies Division
Christy Lewis
Christy Lewis is a Fiscal Technician in Accounting Services. Comments from her nomination include:
“Christy has served on the ACE Scholarship Committee multiple times, helping to give funds to college members and their families to help make higher education possible.”
“When Accounting converted to a new system, Christy kept a positive attitude and learned to work through the bumps and challenges of change.”
“Christy works with customers to help them understand their accounting-related issues, no matter who they are or their level of understanding.”
“Christy always treats all people with respect and kindness when serving them and working through their request and issues.”
Jennifer King
Jennifer King is a Program Specialist in the Office of Financial Aid. Comments from her nomination include:
“Jen awards more than 600 students with emergency funds, each term. This spring term, Jen awarded additional funds to students, which means she made 1200 awards. Jen agreed to this overwhelming task in the midst of preparing financial aid packages for fall term—an enormous undertaking. When we have a student who has a significant emergency, Jen works quickly to award that student immediately.”
“Jen manages multiple tasks, serves on committees, and prioritizes people first in the work that she does. She leads with kindness and a smile and is always a pleasure to work with.”
“Weekly, she commits significant time and energy to meet the emergent needs of students during an uncertain and stressful time.”
“Jen’s commitment to creating an effective, efficient program has made a difference to hundreds of student emergency-grant recipients, many of whom report being homeless or at risk of homelessness.”
Jordan De Van
Jordan De Van is a Program Specialist in Enrollment Services. Comments from her nomination include:
“Jordan has one of the strongest senses of customer service and how it should be demonstrated. She not only responds quickly to inquiries from students and other departments, she responds happily despite her busy workload.”
“Jordan is always helpful and understanding when assisting others outside of her department. Instead of rushing through issues that arise with tracking student grades in the database system, she takes the time to investigate, and assists instructors to better prepare them if the issue were to arise again in the future.”
“Jordan’s knowledge, expertise and sense of humor always makes working with her a pleasure.”
“She assists each individual in a way that they can understand the steps of the process and provides them with direction that helps them along further in the process—all with a smile on her face.”
Kayla Escott
Kayla Escott is a Program Manager in the Office of Financial Aid. Comments from her nomination include:
“Every task that Kayla approaches is done with the student’s best interest in mind. She goes above and beyond in all aspects of her position, whether that is intentionally meeting one-on-one with the staff she oversees, taking time to schedule an in-depth appointment with a student, or leading numerous project efforts within our office. Every project she tackles is done efficiently and thoroughly in spite of tight deadlines and competing priorities.”
“Kayla provides outstanding customer service, both directly and indirectly. She intentionally takes time to meet with students in unique and challenging situations. Beyond this, she ensures that any students who interact with the Financial Aid office receive excellent customer service by equipping front desk staff with effective tools to do so.”
“To encourage comradery and team spirit, Kayla initiated a virtual ‘Spirit Week’ for staff to help keep team spirits and communication up while working remotely.”
“Kayla has always shown a strong commitment to equity in all aspects of her work. One example is how she recently began working with Disability Support Services to convert all Financial Aid documents to a format that is accessible for students using reader devices.
Malissa Pierce
Malissa Pierce is a Program Specialist in Transitional Studies. Comments from her nomination include:
“Malissa had grown the Open Doors program within one year from 10 students to almost 40. She is trying to volunteer with the Vancouver School District Truancy Board so she can understand her students’ needs better.”
“Malissa actively engages in campus diversity strategies; supports recruitment, retention, completion efforts of students from diverse backgrounds, participates in equitable hiring practices for Transitional Studies department, and Malissa is learning Spanish so she can better support our Spanish-speaking students.”
“Malissa is a great communicator and works across multiple departments on campus to make sure that every department has the right information and has the opportunity to discuss with her if they need further clarification.”
“Malissa loves working one-on-one with her students. She is constantly reaching out to other departments for assistance in making her students’ college experience as smooth as possible.”
About the Classified Staff Excellence Award
The Classified Staff Excellence Award was established in 2005 and recognizes classified staff who have demonstrated exemplary work performance, outstanding customer service, a positive and cooperative spirit and special achievements or contributions to the college community. Through the support of the Clark College Foundation, the recipient will receive a $400 cash award.
Clark College announces plans for fall
Students, classes, and services will return to Clark College’s main campus and other locations in fall 2021 as part of a gradual return to on-site operations. Photo: Clark College/Amy Tam
Clark College announced today its plans for fall term and the first phase of its return to on-site operations.
Earlier today, President Karin Edwards announced the following:
The college will strongly encourage students and employees to get vaccinated against Covid-19, but will not require vaccinations.
For the time being, everyone on campus must wear an appropriate face covering and observe social distancing requirements, which are now 3 feet in most circumstances. This policy (and the exact definition of safe social distancing) may change as fall term progresses, based on evolving guidance from the state.
Additionally, the college will continue with its plan for a gradually phased-in restoration of on-site activities and operations, with some employees, services, and events returning during fall term, and more employees, services, and events returning in the 2022 winter term.
The college’s decisions follow guidance from Gov. Jay Inslee’s proclamation covering higher education, which was issued on June 30 and revised on July 12. They also incorporate feedback from the college’s staff and faculty unions, student government, and interdepartmental planning groups focused on the college’s recovery and return to on-site operations.
“Our students and our employees need to know the college’s way forward in order to plan for the future,” said Dr. Edwards. “At the same time, we need to remain ready to adapt to the ever-evolving realities of this pandemic and its effects. We will continue to carefully monitor the situation and provide information about fall term as we further develop our plans–always with a focus on equity, access, and the safety of our whole community.”
Additional information about the college’s decisions for fall term can be found at www.clark.edu/covid-19.
Executive Vice President of Operations named
Galina Burley. Photo courtesy of Galina Burley.
Clark College has announced the hiring of Galina Burley in the role of Executive Vice President of Operations. She will begin at the college on July 8.
Burley was hired through a nationwide search. She will be entering a newly created position which oversees college operations including facilities, business, finance, security and safety, marketing, communications, and auxiliary services.
“Galina brings a breadth of experience and significant skill in leading complex organizations. Additionally, Galina demonstrated her understanding, appreciation and commitment to social equity and inclusion,” wrote Clark College President Karin Edwards in an email announcing the hire to the college community. “This position serves a crucial role at the college, especially as we recover and plan our post-Covid future.”
Burley (pronouns: she/her/hers) immigrated to Vancouver, Washington from Sochi, Russia with her parents in 1991. Her history at Clark College began soon afterward, when she began taking English as a Second Language classes and then went on to earn her associate degree. Burley also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Concordia University and a Master of Public Administration from Troy University. In addition, she earned certification in High Performing Organizations from the University of Virginia and is a 2012 alumna of Leadership Clark County.
Burley’s previous work experience includes leadership roles at the City of Norfolk, Clackamas County, and the City of Portland. Most recently before joining Clark College, she served as Clark County Parks and Lands Manager. She has received an award for leadership from the American Association of Public Administrators of Hampton Roads; the Golden Ivan Award for her work with the Slavic refugee communities in Oregon and Southwest Washington; the President’s Recognition Award from the Crime Prevention Association of Oregon; and nomination as a Woman of Achievement by Washington State University Vancouver. Burley identifies as Armenian-Russian-American. In her free time, she enjoys reading, volunteering, and spending time with her family.
“It feels very special to return to the Penguin Nation, where I began my educational journey and learned English,” said Burley. “I look forward to sharing my experience and lifelong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion with our college community. I also hope that my journey will inspire others to join Clark College, where we will help you discover your greatest potential.”
Exceptional Faculty Awards
Professor Michelle Mallory is all smiles before Clark College’s 2021 Commencement ceremony. Photo: Clark College/Tarek Kanso
Six outstanding members of Clark College’s faculty have been recognized for their contributions to the college with a 2021 Clark College Exceptional Faculty Award.
These 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. Traditionally, they are announced during Commencement. This year, Commencement was held on June 17 on Christensen Soccer Field.
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.
Below are this year’s Exceptional Faculty members, along with quotes from their nominators:
Kayoko Barnhill, mathematics
“I have been taking Math for Elementary Education courses, and her course is very tailored not just to learning the materials, but learning how to teach each others in class. I have struggled with math my whole life, and her course gave me confidence that not only could I learn it, but I could gain deeper understanding and effectively teach it.”
Tony Chennault, biology
“He believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. He encouraged me to keep going, he told me I could do it when I didn’t think I could do it myself. He teaches in a way that you understand, even if it’s not your strongest subject. He is so inspiring, motivating, and encouraging.”
Nami Inoue, Japanese
“When I first began at Clark College, I had a very negative outlook on school based on my previous high school experiences. I decided to take some classes for fun and try out a college environment. Inoue Sensei’s passion for teaching and love for her students was so warm compared to any teacher I’ve had before. She helped me rediscover the love I have for learning and school.”
Michelle Mallory, early childhood education
“To know Michelle is to love Michelle! She is a fierce defender of the learner and believes strongly in meeting the learner where they are at and with respect, dignity and recognition of the learner’s culture and style of learning.”
Joshua Patrick, English
“Professor Patrick has taught me that I should never be ashamed to voice my opinion. He made me feel smart, validated, and taught me how to communicate my thoughts and opinions to others in an effective way to make them listen. He also engraved some very useful critical-thinking skills into my brain that I think will be very helpful throughout the rest of my college experience—but most importantly, I’ll be able to apply these skills to my daily life.”
Kristi Taylor, dental hygiene
“Kristi has been incredibly supportive in a time of great financial uncertainty and worked on behalf of all her students to help us figure out a plan, or make contact with those who could offer us answers and help. She worked to provide all of us with an avenue for covid vaccination if we desired it. She works tirelessly on our behalf and still manages to answer emails in less than an hour. She’s basically Wonder Woman!”
Professor Kristi Taylor, top row second from left, stands with faculty, staff and graduates from the Dental Hygiene program at Clark College’s 2021 Commencement. Photo: Clark College/Tarek Kanso
Clark College holds in-person Commencement
This will be the first time that the ceremony is held on the soccer field. Traditionally, the college’s Commencement ceremonies have been held at Sunlight Supply Amphitheatre. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the college’s 2020 Commencement ceremony was held completely virtually. This year, as restrictions on public gatherings began to lift, the college surveyed graduates to learn which format of ceremony students preferred: virtual, drive-through, or in-person. The in-person format was the top choice of survey respondents.
“Our students have navigated through so much this academic year—pandemic, economic downturn, social unrest, struggling with issues like job loss and food insecurity,” said Clark College President Karin Edwards. “It was important to us that we honor their achievement with a ceremony that met their hopes, while still conforming with public health guidelines.”
Other noteworthy highlights of this year’s ceremony:
About 525 graduates are expected to participate in this year’s ceremony, out of approximately 1,650 graduates from the entire academic year.
Graduates include those receiving Bachelor of Applied Science and associate degrees, as well as certificates and high school diplomas or equivalents.
Some of the participants are members of the Class of 2020. When that year’s Commencement was moved online, the college invited graduates to participate in the next in-person ceremony.
The ceremony will be led by Dr. Edwards, and will be her first Clark College Commencement as president of the college.
The student speaker is Jaelyn Sotelo, a Running Start student who is transferring to University of Washington to pursue a career in political advocacy. Introducing her is student government president Josiah Joner, also a Running Start student, who is in the third generation of his family to attend Clark College and is transferring to Stanford University in the fall.
Also speaking are: Clark College Board of Trustees Chair Rekah Strong; faculty union president Suzanne Southerland; and Interim Vice President of Instruction Dr. Genevieve Howard.
College mourns Trustee
Jane Jacobsen
Today the college community learned that Clark College Trustee Jane Jacobsen had passed away over the weekend.
“Jane became a Clark College trustee in 2016, and throughout her two terms on the Board she was an indefatigable cheerleader for the college,” wrote Clark College President Karin Edwards in an email to the college community announcing the news. “She liked to say that Clark was ‘the community’s college,’ because to her, uplifting and positively impacting the community was the most important and valuable part of our mission.”
A resident of Vancouver for more than 30 years, Jacobsen had profound impact on the region. She served in leadership roles with such organizations and projects as The Columbia Land Trust, the Marshall Lecture Series, the Columbia Gorge Commission, as well as many others.
Of the many achievements in Jacobsen’s life, the one her name is perhaps most closely connected with is Confluence. Jacobsen was the founding executive director of this ambitious nonprofit project to express the history of the Pacific Northwest through art and Indigenous voices. The Vancouver Land Bridge, located within Historic Fort Vancouver, is a Confluence installation.
During her two terms as a trustee at Clark College, Jacobsen served in many roles, including Board Chair from 2019 to 2020. She also served on the college’s Presidential Search Advisory Committee, Social Equity Advisory Council, Guided Pathways Committee, and as an alternate Legislative Action Committee Representative to the Washington State Association of College Trustees.
“I know Jane touched the lives of many people at the college—including my own—and I know she will be missed,” wrote President Edwards in her email.
An email from the Board of Trustees the college community read in part: “Those who knew Jane will remember her warmth, her kindness, and her seemingly limitless capacity for positive energy. Jane would show up with fresh-baked shortbread cookies just because she was thinking of us. Whenever there was a college event, you could count on Jane to be in attendance, joyfully participating in any activity offered. Whenever we had the opportunity to engage with students, Jane was the first to congratulate them on their successes and let them know she believed in their capacity to build better futures for themselves.”
A public Celebration of Life is scheduled for June 15 at 11:00 a.m. in Esther Short Park. Confluence has also created a tribute page where people can share their memories of Jacobsen and have their condolences forwarded to the family. Survivors include her husband, Paul, her sons, Ben and Gabe, a daughter-in-law, Allison, and two grandsons, Henrik and Emmett Jacobsen.
Clark College Trustee Jane Jacobsen, center, was a tireless cheerleader for the college who could be counted on to show up at college events, like this Sakura Ceremony.
Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley
New VP of HR named
Brad Avakian. Photo courtesy of Brad Avakian.
Clark College has announced the hiring of Brad Avakian in the role of Vice President of Human Resources. He will begin at the college on June 10.
“We are excited to bring someone with Brad’s breadth and depth of knowledge into this crucial leadership position at the college,” said Clark College President Karin Edwards. “His expertise will be crucial as we begin the complex work of returning to campus after more than a year in remote operations.”
Avakian earned his bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University and his doctorate of law from Lewis & Clark University. For many years he worked as a lawyer specializing in civil rights cases. Later, he served in the Oregon House of Representatives and the Oregon Senate representing parts of northeast Washington County. Avakian also served three terms as Oregon’s Commissioner of Labor and Industries, during which time he was a strong advocate for career and technical education programs, as well as for equity for women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Since leaving public service, Avakian has taught Politics and Public Policy for Managers in Willamette University’s MBA program and worked in private practice as a mediator and arbitrator.
“Clark College is a historic school with an exciting and bright future,” said Avakian. “I am so grateful for the chance to join the Human Resources team and broader Clark Community. It’s good to be a Penguin.”
