A wet sponge. Slime. Something that looks like it belongs in the ocean. All were accurate descriptions high school students gave of seitan dough – a plant-based meat substitute – during this year’s STEM Camp. Their hands squished the wet mixture, kneading the dough in a bowl of water as Chef Melanie demonstrated the science behind the wheat-gluten substance.

“First, we play with it. Then we eat it,” joked student chef Katelynn, as participants began to pull the seitan dough apart.

It wasn’t your average science lesson, but that’s because this wasn’t an average science camp. STEM-Licious Camp was a fusion of science, engineering, and the culinary arts, all wrapped up in one exciting week for local high school students. Now in its fourth year, the camp has formed a new collaboration with the culinary department to teach STEM through a delicious hands-on experience.

Funded by Guided Pathways with generous support from NW Wine & Food Society, Taco Bell Foundation Community Grant, and Pacific Power Foundation, STEM-Licious brought young scientists into an environment where learning was active, full of flavor, and just a little bit messy.

Campers were divided into two teams that alternated sessions every day:

• Team Carver’s Peanuts (named after pioneering agricultural scientist George Washington Carver)
• Team McClintock’s Corn (named after Nobel Prize-winning scientist Barbara McClintock)

Throughout the week, both groups gathered for mini sessions, like an informative panel about the MESA program, a tour of the vegetable garden with Chef Sonny, and a buzzworthy experience in the bee gardens.

The Foundations of STEM

In the first morning session, students concentrated on calculating dimensions to design cookie cutter shapes of their choosing. Engineering Professor Gerry Lazo guided them through the complex process of building a 3D object on the design program, TinkerCAD, and then the 3D printers whirred to life as the students’ creations took shape.

Just down the hall of the STEM building, another group of students launched their learning towards the sky – literally – by assembling aerodynamically sound rockets. But the session was a lot more than gluing parts together. Physics Professor Dr. Sophie Lin demonstrated the centers of gravity and pressure, how to stabilize flight, and how to conduct safe launches, ensuring each student’s rocket would successfully and safely leave the ground.

Math met art on the following days, when students explored symmetry with Professor Sarah Luther using colorful tiles. Then, Professor Brian Miyake took his group outdoors to lead an inspiring session about surveying, giving students just a taste of all that field has to offer.

Sweet and Savory Science

In the afternoons, the young scientists donned aprons and hairnets and took their learning to the sweetest classroom there is – The Tod and Maxine McClaskey Culinary Institute. The institute had split between two distinct aromas – one side warm and sugary, the other rich with the tang of fermentation and spice.

Chef Alison, in her first and final year leading STEM camp ahead of retirement, walked her students through the process of baking cookies, explaining the chemistry behind the ingredients. Students, some confident and others baking for the first time, poured vanilla and measured flour, learning how precision in cooking is just another form of science. To make it extra special, students used the cookie cutters they had created in their engineering sessions.

Alongside the tactile experience of baking seitan, Chef Melanie also showed students how to make an Amish soft pretzel. Gluten once again took center stage as they learned how it formed when the dough was mixed at different speeds. They also tested the “windowpane” method by holding the dough up to the light – “to make sure it’s strong enough that it won’t break, but delicate enough to let the light shine through,” one student explained.

Chemistry was at the forefront of their minds when they learned the reaction a baking soda wash has on a pretzel, giving its skin a darker color without overbaking the bread. One young scientist also incorporated physics into his lesson, rolling the dough between his hands in the air so that he could let gravity stretch it out into the perfect pretzel length.

In the next kitchen, it was all about the flavor. Chef Sonny demonstrated how to make cheese from scratch while Chef Amanda walked campers through the process of making ginger beer, explaining fermentation and the surprising truth that commercial ginger ale often contains no actual ginger. One camper declared the ginger beer her favorite activity of the week, marveling at the authenticity of the homemade beverage. Color met spice when students grated an array of fresh vegetables and seasoned them with oils and herbs of their choosing, creating a delicious and healthy dish that came together through the power of science.

The week concluded with the STEM-Licious Fair in the college’s STEM building. Stations buzzed with activity: cookie decorating with the treats they had baked earlier, a photo booth capturing their smiles, and engineering challenges like the drop tower.

And then, of course, there was the FOOD – prepared by the students themselves during the graduation celebration, a full circle moment that was equal parts classroom and kitchen.

Learn More About the Camp’s Programs

Clark College’s STEM degrees and certificates equip students with hands-on, real-world experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. The program is anchored by a state-of-the-art, 70,000-square-foot STEM building featuring advanced labs, a high-tech makerspace, and unique learning tools like a 44-foot drop tower. With small class sizes, cutting-edge labs, expert faculty, and a collaborative learning environment, the program prepares students for transfer to a four-year university or entry into high-demand careers in today’s tech-driven world. Learn more about Clark’s STEM pathways.

Clark College’s Culinary program has offered professional baking and cuisine management education for more than 60 years. The college’s professional baking and cuisine management program offers a certificate of achievement in baking and pastry arts fundamentals (nine-month program) and an associate in applied technology degree in professional baking and pastry arts management (two-year program). Learn more about Professional Baking and Pastry Arts and Cuisine Management at the Tod and Maxine McClaskey Culinary Institute.

Echoes of shouts and laughter filled the gymnasium in the O’Connell Sports Center – it was the first day of Clark’s Healthcare Pathway Camp, and the energy was high!

For three days, local middle and high school students immersed themselves in the healthcare field, exploring a wide range of careers through hands-on activities, interactive rotations, and insightful conversations with industry professionals. This camp, now in its fourth year and free for participants – thanks to generous funding by Guided Pathways – sparked curiosity, and perhaps even a calling in a new generation of healthcare workers.

Game On

From the moment students walked into the gym, the vibe was electric. In a mat-flipping showdown that introduced participants to the importance of physical fitness, students battled to cover the floor with their team’s mats, strategizing between rounds like seasoned athletes. It was messy, loud, and full of joy – and that was just the beginning.

That energy carried into the day’s rotations. In the health information management station, Jenga blocks became quiz questions, a giant crossword became a collaborative challenge, and even a round of Pictionary got students thinking about patient care and medical systems.

A few buildings over, students visited the Dental Hygiene Clinic, creating dental molds like pros. They asked questions about wisdom teeth with the intensity of future oral surgeons. Meanwhile, EMT hopefuls practiced CPR and how to administer an EpiPen, picking up lifesaving skills.

Sweet Stakes

Day 2 brought the campers to Clark’s building at the WSU-Vancouver campus, where the tools of the trade changed. From necessary skills to the various career pathways it can lead to, these sessions allowed students to imagine bright futures in the field.

In the medical assisting rotation, students were now the ones holding the stethoscopes. They measured blood pressure, removed stitches from practice pads, tested vision, and wrapped their classmates’ arms in bandages. Some couldn’t resist texting pictures of their arms expertly wrapped in bandages to their families.

The nursing lab introduced the art of wound care and medication measuring, while phlebotomy students learned the science of blood: its components, how to handle it, and how to locate veins on practice arms. There were no actual needles, but the intensity was real.

Interest in Clark’s newest surgical technology program (coming this fall) sparked a steady stream of questions for Professor Jim Reynolds, like the length of the longest surgery he had ever attended (13 hours!), the kinds of surgeries he’d participated in, and whether surgical teams get to have snacks or take restroom breaks during long procedures. Then it was time to put their skills to the test. Professor Jim turned the session into a high-stakes round of the classic “Operation” game—played with low lighting and deliberate distractions to mimic real-world stress where focus was the real test.

At the pharmacy tech station, students read prescriptions filled with cryptic shorthand (just like the real thing) and filled mock orders using Skittles as pills. It was colorful, tactile, and had just enough sugar to keep everyone engaged. Then, they moved into a DIY lip balm lab, measuring, melting, and mixing as they learned about pharmaceutical compounding. Science had never smelled so sweet.

The Big Picture

The camp ended with a lively round of Healthcare Jeopardy (naturally competitive to the very end), and a celebration where families were invited to cheer on their campers. Certificates were handed out. Awards were given. But the real reward was harder to pin to paper: confidence, direction, and the spark of possibility. Learn more about Clark’s Allied Health

Home to one of the oldest and most respected nursing programs in the region, Clark has an established reputation as a premier trainer of health care professionals. The Allied Health programs prepare students for careers in diverse healthcare settings, including home care, hospitals, medical offices, pharmacies, dental offices, and more.

These programs include Dental Hygiene, Emergency Medical Services, Medical Assisting, Health Information Management, Nursing, Pharmacy Technician, and Phlebotomy. Starting this fall, Clark College is adding a new Surgical Technology program, the first of its kind in the Southwest Washington region.

Learn more about Clark’s Health Care and Biosciences programs.

The 45th volume of Phoenix 2025, Clark’s esteemed art journal, unveiled June 12 to an eager crowd during the final day of this year’s Art Student Exhibit at Archer Gallery. Just like the exhibit’s opening day, the conclusion pulsed with life, bringing in a plethora of students, faculty, and family members.

More than a publication, Phoenix is a celebration of the creative process in all forms. Produced annually by the Associated Students of Clark College, in collaboration with the Art Department, and distributed across campus free of charge, it features a dynamic collection of work – ranging from digital illustration and painting to ceramics, metalwork, and printmaking. All contributors and editors are members of the Clark College community, including current students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

This year’s edition was led by managing editor, Mason Seewer, whose dedication and artistic vision helped shape the publication from its earliest stages last fall.

“It’s a dream come true,” Mason said. “I got to immerse myself in it and meet so many amazing people and work with so many amazing artists. I felt so honored to be able to display other people’s artwork and really give their work justice.”

For Mason, the journal is more than beautiful images – it’s about honoring the effort, emotion, and vulnerability behind each piece.

“I want to help people get their work out there and get the credit they deserve. The world needs artists now more than ever.”

A jury process – including assistant editors Kassidy Minick and Charlie Lyon – guided the journal’s selections, carefully curating the array of mediums and voices represented within its pages. Even the cover tells a story. After feeling stuck in digital design, Mason brought out the paint brushes and collaging tools and began collaging on top of a scanner.

“I had a great time reconnecting with what made me an artist and relearning the physicality of it,” Mason said. “That’s why this year’s cover has a soft touch – connecting with how it feels and how you interact with art.”

In the journal’s introduction, Mason reflected on the messy, beautiful nature of making art: “The creative process is imperfectly human. A collage of thoughts, feelings, and ideas expressed in a myriad of mediums…Our intention for the Phoenix 2025 is not only to celebrate the beauty of a finished piece, but to honor the process that led to its formation.”

The final day of the exhibit felt like a true celebration – not a quiet farewell, but a crescendo of connection and pride. While the gallery walls have been cleared, the Phoenix will continue to resonate. A selection of student art from the exhibit will be on display at the Vancouver Arts & Music Festival, July 31-August 3 in downtown Vancouver.

As Mason encourages fellow artists in the journal’s introduction, “Let the imperfections fuel your creativity.”

History of the Phoenix

What began in 1959 as a literary booklet affectionately called The Egg, with hand-drawn covers and a price tag of just ten cents, the Phoenix has a long and storied history at Clark College. After a period of dormancy, the journal was revived in 1981 under its current name—a nod to its rebirth from earlier efforts. Since then, the Phoenix has grown to include visual art and writing in a wide range of mediums, and it has earned recognition at both the state and national level, including awards from the American Scholastic Press Association and the Association of Writers & Writing Programs.

Revisit Your Favorite Pieces at the upcoming Festival

Missed the exhibit, or just want to revisit the amazing work from Phoenix 2025? Visit the Phoenix website to see each piece, or see select pieces in person at the Vancouver Arts & Music Festival, July 31-August 3 in downtown Vancouver.

During their presentation, April Pereira, above, pointed at photos of their family members: their grandfather and great-grandfather. “They were my first allies.” Their older relatives always told them to be who they were.

At the queer students luncheon on June 2, Pereira shared how their childhood affected their identity and delayed them coming out as genderless and queer until later in life.

“I convinced myself that’s who I was”

Raised in the immigrant community of Fall River, MA, Pereira was “constantly under pressure to enculturate and assimilate”. The pressure increased when they moved from Massachusetts to California, where their interest in baseball and accent put them at odds with societal expectations. The AIDs epidemic, which raged on while they grew, added extra pressure to be “normal”.

“The more you adhere to ‘normalcy,’ the easier life was. So that’s what I did. I convinced myself I was a girl, and that’s who I became.” Pereira also cited their Gen-X attitude of pushing feelings aside as a way to cope with what was inside. “I was locking it in a closet all the time, and it came out in other ways.”

That included depression and post-partum depression, anxiety, unhealthy relationships, suicidal tendencies, and self-destructive actions.

How a collapse led to discovery

One day, the pressure became too much. They cracked in what they described as a Tacoma Bridge collapse, citing the famous 1940 incident. Finally going to therapy, they were diagnosed with gender dysphoria and body dysmorphia. They heard a clear message: “April, you need to be you… sit with your emotions.”

When Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) led them to intensive chemotherapy, they had hours to sit in a chair and little energy or brain power to do much but sit and think. Finally forced to sit with their emotions, they realized, “Why am I doing this to myself? Why am I letting other people define me? Why am I making space for others while making myself small?”

They overcame cancer. And they dug into their identity, revisiting their childhood years when their first allies stuck up for them. They learned more about their heritage. “We are a non-gendered culture. Gender is an action; it is a verb. We are egalitarian.” They realized, “Gender wasn’t something I had to think about as a kid.”

Pereira, motivated by showing up for their family, did the work to explore their identity and embrace being a person without gender. They came to understand it as a lifelong journey. “There was a time when identity was treated as a destination instead of the journey it is… It’s a practice. It’s a way of living.”

Today, April has been cancer-free for over a year and is strongly involved with the local queer advocacy community.

LGBTQIA2S+ Resources

• Local resources for those in the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
• Queer Agenda, a student-led club for those in the queer community and their allies.
• Email Bevyn Rowland if you’re interested in the Queer Employee Resource Group.

About Diversity Luncheons

Hosted by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, these luncheons highlight voices in our community. Each term, the series includes a Queer Student Luncheon, a Students with Disability Luncheon, and a Students of Color luncheon. The event provides both meaningful conversation and a delicious free lunch.

While this is the last luncheon this quarter, the series will start up again in the fall term.

Photos: Clark College/Carly Rae Zent

This year’s Juneteenth celebration had us “Feelin’ Some Kinda Way” as Poet Sylvia Welch would say! Held on June 9, Clark employees, students, and community members came together to honor our history as we celebrated a collective journey towards freedom and equality through food, music, and poetry.

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth (“June” plus “nineteenth”) is more than a day off or having cookouts. It’s a day to reflect on the struggles, the resistance, and the unwavering determination of those who came before us. On June 19, 1865, the news of freedom finally reached more than 250,000 enslaved people of Texas, the last to be officially recognized as free.

As stated in an article from The New York Times’s archives: “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.” (General Orders, Number 3; Headquarters District of Texas, Galveston, June 19, 1865.)

On June 17, 2021, former President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States and marking a pivotal moment in American history. Juneteenth signifies the end of a brutal system and the beginning of a long journey towards racial equality. It reminds us of the resilience and hope within our community.

Soulful Flavors

Chef Earl Frederick, pictured above center, from Culinary Arts prepared a feast of soul food for the event, the mouth-watering scents of Jamaican jerk chicken and Taino roasted pork wafting through the air as attendees joined the line that wrapped around the Student Center.

Plates were piled high with servings of various foods that reflect Black history and culture:

• Taino Roasted Pork
• Jamaican Jerk Chicken
• Creole Shrimp Gumbo
• Coconut-Ginger Rice
• Arroz con Gandules (Rice and Pigeon Peas)
• Tomato-Avocado Salad with Pikliz (Haitian Pickled Vegetable Relish)
• Freedom Punch (Hibiscus Drink)
• Mini Red Velvet Cupcakes

Storytelling through Performance

The theme of this year’s performance was “Feelin’ Some Kinda Way.” It was a powerful collaboration between MarcusAntonio Gunn and Syliva Welch as they intertwined their songs and poems into one impactful performance.

Intertwining their artistry, Sylvia and MarcusAntionio shared the strengths, vulnerabilities, and observations of the Black experience. Whether it be through MarcusAntionio’s rendition of Go Down, Moses – his operatic voice filling the room with images of resilience – or by exploring how closely lived experiences are tied to identity through Sylvia’s poem, “Still Here,” from her latest collection, Feelin’ Some Kinda Way. Each act captivated the audience with their themes of hope and perseverance. With flawless transitions between each song and poem, the artists highlighted how, no matter what your craft may be, we are all on this journey together.

As we honor Juneteenth, we recognize that our stories weren’t just recorded in books – they were painted in murals, woven into songs, and whispered across generations. Art has served as a powerful form of nourishment and empowerment, which has always been at the core of our survival, healing, and liberation. It carried our truths, and it held our joy when Black joy and identity were criminalized. We are reminded that Juneteenth is not a day to mourn – it’s a day to reclaim.

About the Artists

MarcusAntonio hails from a family steeped in tradition—ministers, storytellers, musicians, and vocalists. Though surrounded by talented instrumentalists, he found his true calling as a vocalist. His journey led him to Albany State University, an HBCU, where he was admitted through a presidential selection recognizing his vocal talent. There, he became the first in his family to receive formal vocal training, studying under Dr. Leroy Bynum and Dr. Deanna Weber with a concentration in Classical Technique.

Inspired by Georgia’s Civil Rights legacy, MarcusAntonio focused on Negro Spirituals—music that speaks to resilience, identity, and hope. He draws from icons like Jessye Norman and William Warfield, and his repertoire includes works by Burleigh, Hogan, and Moore. At ASU, he performed with the Jazz Band, Theater Troupe, and Advanced Choral Ensemble, and is a proud charter member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia’s Rho Delta Chapter.

Sylvia Welch lives in Woodland, Washington, and is a wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, great-grandmother, a world traveler, adventurer, a fabric artist, and last but hardly least, an author. She began writing poetry at the age of 73, published her first book at the age of 75, and is working on her next poetry book.

Sylvia grew up in the 50s, during a time of obvious racial inequities and attended college in the mid-60s when racial, social, and political injustices were prevalent and the times were only slightly better for most African Americans. Those times produced lessons and experiences that have led to emotions, feelings, and actions that have helped her age into understanding. Her hope is to continue to do so because she has learned that understanding, like the light of day and darkness, doesn’t come all at once.

Celebrate Juneteenth in the Community

We encourage Clark employees and community members to get involved with organizations and community events to celebrate Juneteenth, including the 4^th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Celebration in Vancouver on June 14, where Clark’s ODEI will be tabling. For questions or more information, reach out to diversity@clark.edu.

View more photos on our Flickr page.
Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Wearing a Clark Pride t-shirt and standing beneath a rainbow balloon arch, Dean of Student Engagement Cath Busha, above, stepped up to the mic. With warmth, honesty, and humor, they reflect on the winding journey of embracing their identity.

Cath was speaking to a room full of teens at the YWCA’s Queer Couve Youth Summit, an event designed for LGBTQ+ youth ages 13-18 to connect, build community, and explore their cultural identities together. It was, Cath noted, the kind of supportive space not readily available when they were navigating their own identity in the 1980s and 90s.

Their keynote, titled “Queer History and Resilience,” wove together powerful threads: a timeline of queer history, moments from their own life, and the unspoken pressures many queer people have carried across generations. They shared with listeners the stories from their tomboy childhood to being a first-generation college graduate, to fulfilling their childhood dream of becoming a teacher.

But the reality of that dream proved more complicated.

After coming out in the 1990s, Cath discovered that living openly as their authentic self in the workplace was not without consequence. Subtle yet persistent acts of hostility—like a women’s clothing catalog appearing anonymously in their school mailbox week after week—served as chilling reminders of just how precarious visibility could be.

Cath ultimately made the decision to step away from K-12 education; they couldn’t imagine spending an entire career hiding such a fundamental part of who they are. They pursued graduate school and non-profit work, seeking spaces where authenticity didn’t come at the cost of belonging.

Years later, they found their way back to education – this time, in higher ed. Now at Clark, Cath shared, things are different. Today, they’re not just allowed to be visible; they’re celebrated. They described the joy of working in a place where their identity is welcomed and where they can be open, proud, and fully present.

To close their keynote, Cath invited participants to reflect on a personal question: what do you love about being who you are? Amid the realities of pain and struggle, Cath encouraged them to make space for joy. Their words perfectly embodied the theme of the event: My Joy, My Pride.

At nearby vendor tables, participants could take home a reminder of Cath’s story with Clark College Pride stickers and mugs, provided by the Clark College Foundation – a small but colorful reminder of the affirming community cheering them on.

Celebrate Pride in the Community

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will be representing Clark at Vancouver’s Pride Block Party, Saturday, June 14, 12-7 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Learn more on the event’s Facebook page.

Photos: Clark College/Malena Goerl

Clark College made history on May 30 with its first-ever Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration, an evening of food, dance, and storytelling hosted by the Korean Culture Club.

Held at the Student Center, the space was transformed into a vibrant celebration of Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese, and Pacific Islander cultures. Local AAPI-owned vendors lined the room, offering handcrafted goods, boba tea, and banh mi sandwiches while students, staff, and community members browsed, ate, and connected.

The energy was electric, with speakers and performers taking center stage throughout the evening. Clark College President Dr. Edwards welcomed guests with a video message, followed by opening remarks from Vice President of Instruction, Dr. Brown. Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle read a special proclamation recognizing AAPI Heritage Month in the City of Vancouver.

Guests also had the opportunity to join Leslie Lew, one of the evening’s keynote speakers known globally as the “Warrior, for a free self-defense seminar. Leslie gave participants the tools they needed to protect themselves and reminded them of the strength they should always carry.

“Stand in your power,” she told onlookers as she demonstrated how to escape a chokehold. “You don’t have to be the strongest person in the room to be powerful.”

The event also featured speeches by community leaders, including Michael Tuncap, former director of the Pacific Islander Student Commission at UW Seattle, and a high-energy performance by PacifikWest, a Portland-based K-pop performance and cover dance group.

For Clark student Melina Doan, pictured left – who established the Korean Culture Club in 2022 and, along with serving as club president is also the event’s creator – the celebration was deeply personal.

“Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month at Clark is so important because it gives voice and visibility to students who often feel unseen,” Melina said. “This event meant everything to us. For so long, AAPI students haven’t seen themselves reflected or celebrated on campus. To finally have a space where our cultures, languages, dances, and stories could shine — it was powerful. It wasn’t just a celebration; it was a moment of visibility, pride, and community.”

The evening was the result of months of planning and collaboration between student clubs, local organizations and small businesses, and dedicated volunteers, truly spotlighting the strength, creativity, and resiliency of the AAPI community.

“For so long, I have wanted an event for AAPI students to speak their truths at Clark College, like other cultures here. After not seeing it happen year after year, I decided enough is enough,” Melina said. “The event was my whole network, and it was only made possible by students who volunteer their time.”

Melina called out a special thanks to Zion Brown from the Korean Culture Club, James Simina from the Clark Japanese Club, Mac Manuel and Ria Antonio from the Pacific Islander Club, and the Pacific Islander clubs at Hudson’s Bay, Fort Vancouver, and Heritage high schools.

Next year, the Korean Culture Club will become the Asian Culture Club, and it will continue its mission to uplift AAPI voices and share traditions with the Clark community.

“Family is like branches on a tree, they grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one,” Ria Antonio from the Pacific Islander Club shared. “Although we may not be able to speak the language or know the exact tradition, it flows within our blood and in our hearts forever.”

Photos courtesy of: Zion Brown

At the final installment of this year’s Penguin Talks: Clark College Lunch and Learn series, Dr. Karin Edwards delivered a heartfelt and insightful presentation on the “Role and Future of Community Colleges.” Drawing from nearly forty years of experience in higher education, she spoke candidly about the deep and lasting impact community colleges have on the lives they touch—and the communities they serve.

“We have the power to transform lives,” she acknowledged. “And we don’t take it lightly.”

With that statement, she set the tone for a heartfelt and thought-provoking session that underscored the mission-driven work of community colleges across the country. Throughout her talk, Dr. Edwards shared stories that illustrated these powerful transformations. One student, a recovering drug addict, enrolled in a community college as part of his journey to rebuild his life. He eventually earned a master’s degree and opened a drug rehabilitation center in Portland. Another student started college at age 62 and graduated at age 70, choosing to pursue her personal growth after a lifetime of raising a family.

Beyond individual stories, Dr. Edwards emphasized the broader impact of community colleges in advancing social equity, driving economic development, and fostering civic engagement. She noted how closely income and opportunity are tied to education, and that community colleges are often a lifeline for students who might otherwise be left behind.

“Community colleges foster both personal and communal growth,” said Dr. Edwards. “I believe that this is our role and the important work we do, and I’m proud to be part of it.”

Community colleges like Clark don’t just educate students, but they actively engage the wider community. From hosting arts and cultural events to facilitating voter registration and addressing pressing issues like affordable housing, food insecurity, and transportation, the college has an active role in shaping community conversation, and solution-building process.

She also spoke of the challenges that lie ahead: fluctuating funding, questions around the availability of financial student aid, international policies for students, and the evolving workforce needs. But regardless of what the future holds, her talk was a timely reminder that, in a world of uncertainty, the work we do matters deeply.

As she concluded her talk, Dr. Edwards reminded the audience of Clark’s mission statement and the importance of keeping those words at the heart of our work.

“One of the things that I know to be true, as we’re going through this storm, not knowing what’s to come, is to stay true to what you’re doing,” she said. “If you change who you are, you’ll get lost in the storm. But if you stay true to the mission, you’re bound to still be standing after the storm is over.”

About Penguin Talks: Clark College Lunch & Learn 

Hosted by Clark Community and Continuing Education, this free lecture series invites the public and college community to explore impactful local topics and engage with inspiring speakers. Penguin Talks will return for another series in October 2025.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Clark’s Fourth Annual Creative Writing Festival brought together writers and readers from across the community to celebrate the written word. This week-long event was curated by the Creative Writing and English Department’s faculty, and it included a variety of opportunities for attendees to engage with the literary community. From author readings, book release parties, creative yoga classes, and culminating in the day-long Spring Writers Workshop, the festival inspired participants to fearlessly share their own stories.

Celebrating The Swift Literary Journal, Issue No. 3

“I always love a good story,” someone said as they opened the newest edition of The Swift, Clark College’s literary journal.

Some attendees at The Swift’s release party had found a seat and started reading the journal, while others chatted excitedly. It was an encouraging space for writers to showcase their creativity, as the contributing authors mingled with staff members, families, students, and alumni who came together to celebrate their hard work.

“Thank you for allowing us to publish your work,” Professor Dawn Knopf, an English Department faculty member addressed the authors in her introduction. “It’s an extraordinary issue, and we’re so proud of you.”

Authors took turns at the podium, reading excerpts of their work, which spanned genres – fiction, memoir, poetry, and essays.

The first author to read was student Shylee Greene, the only contributor to have work published in each of the three issues of The Swift. She read her poem, Hurt You to Stay.

Submissions for The Swift are also open to faculty and alumni. One alumnus, Tom Darby, was welcomed to the podium with loud applause before he shared an excerpt from his travel momoir about his time in Morocco in the 1970’s.

The entire publication was spearheaded by students—the photo used as the cover art was taken by one of the student contributors, Faith Hay, and the editors were students, Sean Gentry, Lizeth Hernandez, Samantha Phan, and Stephanie Wagner.

Staff members who missed the event can pick up a free copy of The Swift outside of the Creative Writing suite in Hanna Hall.

And the Award Goes To…

The 2025 Hawkins-Gallivan-Bostwick Awards for Excellence in Writing were presented during this year’s Creative Writing Festival. First through third place winners were announced for each category, including fiction, poetry, essays, analyses, and technical writing.

Professors introduced their students, emphasizing the talent and skill that the students displayed in their work. Students were then invited to read an excerpt of their work. Pieces addressed a variety of topics, such as religion, foster care, women’s rights in Algeria, and creative guides to crafting genre fiction. Regardless of genre, authors enchanted audience members with the way they weaved their stories, combining detail, structure, and flow to engage any reader.

“Writing has always been about community for me,” shared Dr. Jesse Morse during his introduction of one of the winners. “It’s something that can carry you through life.”

This event echoed Dr. Morse’s words, as faculty, staff, families, and fellow students came together to celebrate these students.

Coyote & Bear Discuss Modern Art

Faculty member Dr. Gerry Smith celebrated the release of his newest poetry collection, Coyote & Bear Discuss Modern Art, with a reading that highlighted the collaborative spirit behind the book.

He began with a personal story about how he met the artist who illustrated the collection and how their friendship quickly grew into a creative partnership. For the project, the artist would first send an illustration – each one titled – then Dr. Smith would create a poem inspired by his interpretation of the image. In some cases, his poems directly incorporated visual elements from the artwork. In others, the illustration sets the scene for the poem.

He then read a selection of poems while displaying the artwork that inspired each one. The titles of the poems matched those of the illustrations.

Each poem varied in tone, style, and perspective. Some played with the line structure to reflect the movement in the piece. Observant readers could spot recurring motifs, including the color blue and nods to Pittsburgh and the steel industry. One poem reimagined the iconic painting, American Gothic, envisioning what experiences the daughter of its infamous subjects might have.

The collection is a testament to artistic dialogue – two creators inspiring one another through the unique push and pull of their respective mediums.  Dr. Smith noted that this isn’t his first artistic collaboration, and he encouraged aspiring poets to seek out similar partnerships to deepen their own creative work.

Festival Highlights

The Creative Writing Festival also offered participants the opportunity to engage with authors and hone their own craft.

• Chelsea Bieker, author of the national bestseller Madwoman, concluded this year’s Columbia Writers Series with a reading and discussion. She offered practical advice on various aspects of the writing process, including point of view, plotting, revision, and handling rejection. She reminded attendees that while their work may not resonate with everyone, the right audience will find them eventually.
• Bestselling local author Emiko Jean opened the festival with a reading from The Return of Ellie Black, followed by a talk on hope, persistence, and the writing process. She spoke about the Pacific Northwest’s influence on her work, answered audience questions, and encouraged aspiring writers to embrace failure as part of the journey.
• Participants engaged their entire bodies in the process of being creative in a Yoga for Creativity class.
• The 2025 Spring Writing Workshop, themed “Ghost in the Machine,” concluded Clark College’s Creative Writing Festival with a full day of interactive sessions led by acclaimed authors and faculty members. Writers of all levels explored topics ranging from speculative fiction and memoir to poetry and visual storytelling.

Click here for a full lineup of workshops.

Learn More

Learn more about Creative Writing at Clark College, including the Columbia Writers Series returning in the fall, and submissions for The Swift Clark College Literary Journal.

Photos: Clark College/Malena Goerl

Calen Ouellette, CEO of the Clark College Foundation, kicked off his Penguin Talk, “Build, Strengthen, and Sustain Community – Together,” by comparing a community with a true Clark College metaphor: Penguins! 

“Penguins thrive because of community,” Calen said. “And just like them, we need each other to weather challenges, raise the next generation, and find our way through noise and uncertainty.” 

The second installment of this year’s Penguin Talks: Clark College Lunch & Learn series, Calen’s presentation invited the audience to reflect on the idea of community and what it truly means – specifically who supports them, challenges them, and makes space for them to fully be themselves. 

To lead by example, Calen encouraged attendees to start building community on the spot by introducing themselves to the people sitting nearby. Friends and strangers alike reached across the aisles, sparking conversations and making new connections.  

Calen then walked the audience through the three pillars that hold up every strong community: learning, connection, and leadership. He wove together inspirational quotes and personal stories that brought each pillar to life, including one brief but meaningful conversation with Al Roker that shaped his view on leadership.  

For those who appreciate hard data, Calen also shared compelling statistics underscoring the benefits and value of strong communities. From student success and economic strength to better mental and physical health, the numbers made one takeaway clear: community matters. 

He closed with a challenge. Distributing notecards and pens, Calen asked everyone to write down one small action they could take in the coming weeks to build community. Some read their answers aloud –like sharing fresh flowers from their gardens or bringing treats to their neighbors. Calen then left everyone with one final call to action: 

“Let’s go do something BOLD.” 

Learn More 

Penguin Talks: Clark College Lunch & Learn is a free, three-week series that invites the public and college community to explore impactful local topics and engage with inspiring speakers. The final session, The Role and Future of Community Colleges with Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards, will be on June 5. Register here. 

Penguin Talks will return for another series in October 2025.