Our MESA scholars had a busy fall term attending conferences, transfer fairs, internship info sessions, and workshops. Below is a list of MESA activities during fall term and upcoming opportunities in 2025.

October 30: November 2: National Diversity in STEM Conference in Phoenix, AZ

Four Clark College MESA students attended the nation’s largest multidisciplinary and multicultural STEM diversity event. It was presented by the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science. Students were immersed in cutting-edge research, professional development, keynote sessions, and the Academic & Career Expo. The experience equipped them with valuable skills, scholarship information, and networking opportunities.

November 14: STEM Research & Transfer Fair, Seattle

MESA Scholars visited North Seattle College for the STEM Research & Transfer Fair, connecting with the University of Washington’s resources on research pathways, research experiences for undergraduates, funding opportunities, and transfer support for Clark students who plan to transfer to UW.

November 19: WSU Vancouver Workshop

MESA hosted an Admissions and Financial Aid workshop with WSU Vancouver counselors. The sessions covered transfer admissions, scholarships, and financial aid, with one-on-one assistance with WSU Vancouver counselors.

November 20: Introduction to Success Coaching

In partnership with Clark College’s Student Success Coaching program, we offered a session to connect MESA scholars with the college’s Success Coaches who offer personalized guidance to help them navigate coursework, college life, and long-term academic planning.

November 26: MESA Giving Event in Clark’s MESA Center, STEM Building

A gathering with games, food, and crafts for MESA scholars to build community, relax, celebrate their progress, and prepare for their finals.

December 3: Summer Health Professions Education Program Webinar

MESA hosted a webinar in collaboration with the Summer Health Professions Education Program for students to learn about its summer internships and application process. This transformative summer experience offers students opportunities to explore careers in medicine, dentistry, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, and public health.

December 5: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) Community College Internships Info Session (virtual)

MESA hosted a virtual info session with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory in Richland, Washington about its Community College Internships. MESA Scholars learned about paid internships for Summer 2025, key application dates, and the application process.

December 12: Transfer Student Preview Day at University of Washington, Seattle

MESA scholars attended University of Washington’s Transfer Student Preview Day, designed for prospective transfer students to explore programs, services, and connect with academic departments. The UW College of Engineering hosted a lunch and info session just for MESA engineering students! It was attended by students from Clark, Columbia Basin, Edmonds, Everett, Highline, and Green River community colleges.

December 13: Internship & Scholarship Application Work Session, Clark MESA Center

MESA Scholars are invited to join their MESA peers for a focused session to work on their applications for internships and scholarships. With deadlines fast approaching for many of these opportunities, it is the perfect time to get started before heading out for winter break. Food, coffee, and snacks were provided to keep students energized as they work.

January 9, 2025: ISB Summer Internships Info Session

In partnership with the Institute for Systems Biology, MESA will host a virtual info session for students to learn about ISB’s summer internships and why it’s important for students to engage and participate in these experiences. ISB offers various internships for students interested in biology, chemistry, computer science, information science, applied mathematics, and engineering. ISB is an internationally renowned nonprofit institute in Seattle, which is dedicated to studying and applying systems biology to unravel biological complexity.

January 14: Health Sciences Career Panel

In partnership with The Mentoring Project, we are excited to host a virtual health sciences career panel that offers MESA Scholars an opportunity to explore diverse health sciences careers. Students will gain valuable insights from experienced professionals and will ask the professionals questions during a Q&A session.

January 25, 2025: Silicon Forest Tech Summit, Hillsboro, Oregon

MESA plans to take several students to the Silicon Forest Tech Summit. The summit brings together the entire tech ecosystem, uniting emerging tech startups, established corporations, innovative technologists, and educational institutions. Students will have the opportunity to explore emerging tech, gain insights into advanced manufacturing, discover exciting career opportunities in the tech industry, and network with other students and professionals.

January 28 & February 19: WSU Vancouver Office Hours for MESA Scholars, MESA Center

We’ve partnered with WSU Vancouver and their admissions department to host office hours for MESA Scholars. WSU Vancouver’s Admissions Counselor, Laura Arellano-Karki, will be available to meet with students and support them through the transfer admissions process, including completing their admission application.

February 4: Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center Visit, Seattle

MESA will be taking students to the Fred Hutch Cancer Center to explore cutting-edge research, discover exciting internship opportunities, and learn about careers in cancer research and health sciences, participate in hands-on lab activity and tour lab facilities. Fred Hutch is renowned for its groundbreaking work in cancer treatment and its impact on both cancer and infectious diseases worldwide. As an independent organization, Fred Hutch also serves as the cancer program for University of Washington Medicine.

February 21: Portland State University Campus Visit, Portland, OR

MESA Scholars will visit PSU to explore their transfer options, learn about PSU academic programs, admissions, transfer process, financial aid, and to tour the campus.

March 5-9, 2015: Annual National Society of Black Engineers Convention, Chicago, Ill.

The NSBE Convention will gather students and professionals to promote Black excellence in engineering. The NSBE mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community. Clark’s MESA program plans to take several scholars to participate in this impactful event.

March 14, 2025: iFLY STEM Field Trip and Indoor Sky Diving, Portland, OR

We will be participating in a fun indoor skydiving experience at iFLY Portland! iFLY offers STEM visits including learning about the engineering and physics behind their state-of-the-art wind tunnel. Students will participate in an immersive, hands-on lab activity before experiencing the thrill of indoor skydiving.

MESA Q & A

Q: What is MESA?

A: MESA (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement) is a national program designed to increase the number of historically underrepresented populations to succeed in STEM fields. This includes African American, Native American, Latino/Hispanic, and Pacific Islander/Hawaiian and women community college students who transfer to universities and earn STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) bachelor’s degrees. 

Q: When did Clark College begin its MESA program?

A: Clark College began its MESA program during the 2018-19 academic year.

Q: How many Clark College students participate in MESA?

A: Clark’s program can serve up to 100 students. It currently serves more than 60 students.

Q: Where is the MESA Center at Clark College?

A: Clark College has a dedicated MESA Center in the STEM building for studying and creating community, as well as opportunities for mentorship, assistance with books and fees, conference participation, campus visits, and more.

Learn more about MESA

• Website: Learn more here
• Email: rlaraalvarado@clark.edu
• Phone: 360-992-2225
• Book an appointment with MESA Director Román Lara here.

The Comic Club of Clark College hosted the highly anticipated release party for the sixth edition of The Iceberg annual comic anthology on December 5 in PUB 161. This year’s Iceberg marks the largest and most impressive volume to date, featuring comic stories by about 44 creators. Some creators had submitted multiple works, making this edition a truly collaborative and expansive showcase of talent from students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

The party kicked off with speeches from English professor Tobias Peterson and art professor Grant Hottle. Together, the pair makes a dynamic duo, co-advising The Iceberg. Peterson and Hottle thanked all the creators and members of the Comic Club for their dedication and hard work.

Comic Industry Guests

Then they introduced the four industry comic professionals who joined the event to offer invaluable feedback to the student creators. The industry guests included:

• Jeff Parker, artist and writer
• Matt Fraction, artist and writer
• Diana Schultz, translator and retired editor at Dark Horse Comics
• Steve Lieber, artist

During the first hour of the VIP session, these industry professionals gave valuable feedback, offering advice and critique to the contributing creators whose work was published in The Iceberg. By 2:00 p.m. another 20 attendees had joined the event. The industry professionals generously stayed beyond the scheduled end time, offering critique, advice, and encouragement until about 5 p.m., two hours past the event’s expected close.

Producing The Iceberg

The release of The Iceberg offers Clark College students a rare opportunity to have their comic work published and reviewed by established professionals. The publishing process follows the academic calendar. We will open for submissions in the winter term. We make decisions and print the book in spring. And then in the fall, we celebrate the book release.

Peterson shared that people in academics still think of comics as kids’ stuff. The reality is that these books are a hybrid form of storytelling that produces beautiful and complex stories that examine what it means to be human.

Professor Peterson said, “I love The Iceberg because it provides a showcase for students’ creativity and passion. The release event is a yearly celebration of why we, as educators, got into this business to begin with!”

Speaking about the importance of the release party, Professor Hottle said, “It is a chance for students to showcase their comics. Thanks to the generous support of ASCC, we can have students published and have industry professionals give direct feedback.”

This year’s edition is also special for its perseverance. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, The Iceberg continued to be published, with many students sharing their work and receiving feedback via platforms like Discord.

Being a Contributor

Students Majic and Amelia had their work featured in The Iceberg for the first time. Both said they found the feedback from the professionals to be incredibly beneficial.

Majic, a fine arts major with aspirations in comics, said the anthology offers students a platform to refine their craft. “The Iceberg gives you a taste of what to do in the industry,” Majic noted. “Submitting comics allows you to have industrial professionals critique my work. There were things I was doing that I received help on correcting to make my comic better.”

It’s rewarding for students to see their work in print and enjoyed physically by other people. It also helps us create more work for our portfolios and makes for a great item to leave behind at a job interview.

Contributor Amelia Newbie, Clark College alumni who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in digital technology and culture at WSU Vancouver, said, “Reading, enjoying, and sharing our comics helps us get our work out into the world!”

To find your free copy of the sixth edition of The Iceberg, look for the blue stands around campus to pick your copy up today.

Learn More

• For more information on The Iceberg and future events, stay tuned to Clark College’s Fine Arts department.
• Comic Club meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of every month from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
• Follow us on Instagram: @Clark.Iceberg
• Submit your comics for the 2025 Iceberg through May 5, 2025 via Submittable.

Photos submitted by Stephanie Wagner and Bryce Van Patten.

Hundreds of Clark College students and their family members flocked to the STEM Building for the Second Annual Free Holiday Market on the afternoon of December 4. This well-received event that was first offered last year is back by popular demand.

The Free Holiday Market gives students and their families an opportunity to shop for holiday gifts for their families and themselves — without the financial burden. Started in 2023, the annual event invites students and family members to shop at more than 50 tables laden with items donated by generous staff, faculty, and administrators.

This year, more than 350 students and guests shopped for gifts. Before the event even began, students eagerly lined up, and the steady flow of shoppers continued throughout the event. Parents helped children pick out toys, students scanned items looking for gifts for their families and friends, and staff working the tables helped students find gifts that might be a good fit for their recipients in mind.

The planning committee expanded the market’s offerings by handing out snacks and including more children’s crafts activities. A new free clothing table was also a popular addition. They even hosted a new door prize, which pulled tickets throughout the event for the opportunity to win large items.

Chef Alison Dolder, head of the Professional Baking & Pastry Arts program, first had the idea to host a free student holiday market and was on the planning committee. She said, “I think it was really nice to see a real sense of community and to see Clark show students how much we care.” Referencing the COVID-19 pandemic that drove the community off-campus, she added, “It was nice to see everyone in one place again.”

How it works

• Students registered to participate as shoppers. Upon arrival, shoppers were given free tickets so they could shop.
• Students also get a special ticket for a door prize drawing for big-ticket items like giant penguin plushies or waffle irons.
• Employees ran the event and students from various student groups volunteered to help at the event.
• Staff, faculty, and administrators donated new or gently used gift items such as toys, games, puzzles, books, clothing, jewelry, craftwork, and household items. Every item can be ‘purchased’ with free tickets.
• Departments and individuals from around the campus hosted gift tables.
• Representatives from various support services were present.

Ongoing opportunities to give to students

• WES Giving Tree: Collecting new hats, gloves, scarves, hand warmers, socks, and throws for students and their families through January 10, 2025, in GHL 215.
• Basic Needs Hub: Donate here to this brand-new hub designed to connect students with essential resources for student success.
• Clark College Foundation: Check out the many ways our Foundation has set up to support our students through payroll deduction or one-time donation to any specific causes.

Special Acknowledgments

This year’s event is sponsored by the ASCC club, NERD Girls & GEEKS, along with the Engineering program and the McClaskey Culinary Institute.

Thank you to this year’s organizing committee:

Tina Barsotti
Alison Dolder
Judi Georgeades-Tambara
Stephanie Hall
Carol Hsu
Fay Shorten
Lucy Winslow

For students wondering about a career in healthcare or bioscience, the Career Connect event on November 19th gave students a behind-the-scenes look into this high-demand industry. This event complemented the October 22nd healthcare and bioscience focused Career Connect event in the Clark College Building at WSU Vancouver.

Alex Kison from Career Services said, “While the October 22nd event was intentional in meeting current healthcare program students in the building where they take most of their classes, this event was more focused on exploring careers in healthcare and bioscience. It was especially geared for those who haven’t declared their major yet and are curious about this area of study and the related career pathways.”

Held in PUB 161 by the Career Services team, there was a welcoming atmosphere as students, staff, faculty, and community members chatted with local employers about careers, internships, and more.

In addition to exploring career pathways, students connected with the Career Services team, the Academic Advising department, and Student Success Coaches, learning more about the resources available in the Clark College community.

Participants were able to engage directly with employers and industry professionals, and explore their options, whether they were interested in becoming a nurse, pharmacy tech, healthcare administrative professional , or exploring other healthcare career opportunities.

The following employers participated in this event:

• Adventure Medics – EMT/Emergency Service Technicians, First Responders, Nurses
• AFC Urgent Care – Medical Assistants, Medical Administration, Medical Billing
• Ardon Health – Pharmacy Technicians
• Consumer Direct Care Network Washington – Caregivers, Service Coordinators, Administration
• Department of Social and Health Services, Office of Forensic Mental Health Services – Summer Internships, Behavioral Healthcare, Nursing
• Legacy Health – Pharmacy Technicians, Medical Assistants, Nursing, CNA, Medical Receptionists
• Multnomah County Health Department – LPN, RN, Certified Medical Assistants
• Providence – Phlebotomy, MLS/MLT, PT, OT, SLP, Pharmacy Tech, Radiology, and more
• Willamette Dental Group – Dental Hygienist externship opportunity

Potential employer like Adventure Medics is hiring EMTs, First Responders, nurses, and more.

“Adventure Medics is a diverse medical company,” explained Alex, a station supervisor who was representing the Event Medical portion of Adventure Medics. The Event Medical team staffs a variety of events from concerts to sporting events to motocross rallies.

Consumer Direct Care Network Washington (CDWA) provides in-home care for older adults and those with disabilities. They are hiring service coordinators who provide customer service to clients, caregivers, and case managers. CDWA is also looking for caregivers who provide one-on-one services and offers a flexible schedule, especially for those in school.

Also present at the event was Jordan Wilcox, a recruiter and partner specialist for Clark College’s Surgical Technology program , starting in the Fall of 2025. Students can begin taking foundation classes for this new program in the coming Winter and Spring terms.

During this event, industry professionals not only talked about career opportunities, but also provided students with insight into the future possibilities of their fields. Included in the event were resources to help participants engage and learn more with employers, such as career conversation questions, bingo activities, and opportunities for prizes.

From building connections to planning the next step in their careers, this event had something for everyone.

Stay tuned for the next Career Connect event coming up in 2025!

Post and photos by Eli Knapp, Career Services

The Advanced Manufacturing Center at the Boschma Farms campus in Ridgefield has officially finished construction. To celebrate, developer and design-builder Mortenson officially presented Clark College with the keys this past Tuesday, November 19.

The ceremony, held in the new building, welcomed around 100 guests, including the Clark College Foundation and Board of Trustees, the City of Ridgefield, and on-site workers and trade partners. After speeches by project leadership, Clark’s mascot Oswald the Penguin helped accept the symbolic key presented by Mortenson.

Speakers:  

• Dr. Karin Edwards, President, Clark College
• Sabra Sand, Vice President of Operations, Clark College
• Carolyn Sizemore, Market Director, Mortenson

Clark College will begin moving into its first building, the Advanced Manufacturing Center, over the next few months and readying the space for classes to begin in 2025. General education classes will be held there in Spring 2025; five general education classrooms and one computer lab will accommodate a future capacity to serve up to 1,200 students per term. 

By Fall 2025, the complex will become the hub for the college’s advanced manufacturing program which is currently in development. When completed, the program will provide an initial enrollment of 32 students in two cohorts of 16, with plans to eventually serve 48 students across three cohorts. A grand opening is planned for 2025 when the college officially opens its doors.

Located on a 10-acre property east of the Ridgefield Junction, the 49,000-square-foot Advanced Manufacturing Center features a vast open manufacturing floor, collaboration zones, satellite instructional facilities, classrooms, laboratories, offices, and more. The 35,000 square feet dedicated to manufacturing training includes three industry-specific classrooms, four labs, five manufacturing cells, and a vast open manufacturing floor. The remaining 14,000 square feet houses the five general education classrooms, along with faculty and student amenities.

Manufacturing and classroom spaces in the Advanced Manufacturing Center are designed for multiple delivery modes including lecture, collaborative, project-based learning, and hybrid models implementing online content and classroom application. The facility’s acoustic design ensures that unamplified voice communication will carry above ambient machine noise. The flexible design of the structure is envisioned to accommodate future growth and will serve students, Ridgefield, and other north Clark County communities.

“This milestone marks an incredible step forward for Clark College and the Ridgefield community,” said Dr. Edwards. “We are committed to delivering an education environment that fosters innovation, collaboration, and workforce readiness. The Advanced Manufacturing Center will provide invaluable opportunities to develop critical skills in a growing field, allowing us to support the region’s workforce and expand educational access in north Clark County.”

Mortenson’s Market Director, Carolyn Sizemore emphasized the project’s unique attributes. The LEED Silver-certified Advanced Manufacturing Center meets state energy performance standards, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and improves operational efficiencies. The progressive design-build construction delivery method used on the building was spearheaded by Mortenson in collaboration with Henneberry Eddy Architects; this delivery method proved instrumental to the successful implementation of the use of prefabrication in this project and the resulting efficiencies.

Mortenson is a U.S.-based builder, developer, and engineering services provider serving the commercial, institutional, and energy sectors. Their portfolio of integrated services helps its customers move their strategies forward, resulting as a turnkey partner, fully invested in the business success of its customers.

“The Advanced Manufacturing Center is a stunning testament to what can be achieved when stakeholders come together with a shared vision,” said Sizemore. “Clark College envisioned a sustainable, future-ready facility adaptable for growth in the Ridgefield community. We are proud to deliver this anchor building on the Ridgefield campus and we are confident that it will exceed the aspirations of Clark College and the Ridgefield community.”

View more photos from the event on our Flickr page. https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBSpxw

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Eighteen area middle school and high school choirs performed at the 9th Annual Choral Festival on Friday, November 15.  Hosted by the Clark College Music Department, the festival is a favorite fall event in our area that inspires choral directors and singers for a season of creating and performing choral literature for the year. Participants travel from as far as Lacey, Washington, 109 miles away.

The festival is more than a schedule of performances. It’s an on-site gathering for community and learning for both the directors and singers.

Festival Director Dr. Jacob Funk, who is also the Director of Choirs at Clark College, said, “Participating choirs got the chance to work with some highly skilled clinicians and receive written feedback on their performance. Each choir had a mini-clinic onstage, allowing for the other schools to see how a different choir learns new ways to succeed.

Two of the Clark College Choirs performed for all the participating choirs in the middle of the festival. It was a wonderful time of music making, learning, and supporting each other in song.”

The choir clinicians who offered choirs on-stage feedback between performances included Dr. Katy Green, Dr. John Guarente, Dr. Shohei Kobayashi, and Dr. Tiffany Walker.

Participating choirs included:

• Timberline HS Chamber Choir—Lacey, WA
• R A Long HS Chor Diem—Longivew, WA
• Henrietta Lacks HS Phoenix Choir—Vancouver, WA
• La Center HS Select Treble Choir—La Center, WA
• Skyview HS Chamber Choir—Vancouver, WA
• ACMA Synergy Choir—Beaverton, OR
• Union HS Concert Choir—Camas, WA
• North Marion HS Concert Choir—Aurora, OR
• Woodland HS Choir—Woodland, WA
• Union HS Advanced Treble Choir—Camas, WA
• Clark College Treble Ensemble and Concert Choir —Vancouver, WA
• Dexter McCarty MS Concert Choir—Gresham, OR
• Richland HS Chamber Choir—West Richland, WA
• VSAA Vocal Rep Ensemble—Vancouver, WA
• Heritage HS Women’s Ensemble—Vancouver, WA
• Camas HS Select Treble Choir—Camas, WA
• VSAA Vocal Style & Tech Ensemble—Vancouver, WA
• Heritage HS Select Treble—Vancouver, WA
• Camas HS Select Bass Choir—Camas, WA

For more information:

• Learn more about Clark’s music program’s degrees and certificates
• Meet Clark’s distinguished Music Department staff
• Schedule of Music Events and auditions
• Upcoming Annual Jazz Festival in January 2025

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Clark College’s Veterans Center of Excellence (VCOE) was able to attend the city of Vancouver Veterans Day Parade. We were humbled by the community support of over 78 local organizations that walked in the parade on behalf of the veteran community.

During the parade, the Community Military Appreciation Committee (CMAC) hosted an Open House at Pearson Air Museum, where our Clark College Veterans Club hosted a face painting table. Our veteran students volunteered their time and connected with the community as well as local organizations, offering resources to veterans. The amount of community support was overwhelming, even in the drizzling rain. It was a great event for us and our students to be a part of.

Later that week, the VCOE held its second annual Career and Resource Fair on November 13, 2024.

Gaiser Student Center was filled with 48 tables of participating agencies, nonprofits, and businesses that provided veterans and veteran students with information about employment, internship opportunities, and community resources. Although geared toward the military-connected community, the event was also open to the rest of the college and community.

“We are so excited with our continuing partnerships and new opportunities we were able to host for our student and community participants,” said Donna Larson, Associate Director of the Veterans Center of Excellence.

Fair partner highlights

Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez’s office attended to connect our students and veterans with the correct federal agencies. We are grateful for the partnership and support we have from the congresswoman.

Goodwill Job Connection interviewed a few veteran students for current job opportunities for immediate hire. Washington Department of Veteran Affairs (WDVA) made meaningful connections for future opportunities.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-Portland VA Medical Center’s nursing department connected with our surgical education department to discuss creating a pipeline for jobs for Clark students moving forward.

Fair by the numbers 

• 48 tables offering resources 
• 75+ attendees 
• Backpacks with school supplies distributed to students 

We look forward to partnering on different job fair events moving forward for the veteran community.

Upcoming VCOE events

• December 2, 2024: The Veterans Club Roundtable
• March 4, 2025: Women’s Round Table Community event in partnership with CCVAC for women veterans.

About the VCOE

Located in the Penguin Union Building (PUB) 015, the VCOE is Clark’s hub for flexible and comprehensive support of all active duty, veteran, and military-affiliated students. The center helps students understand their benefits, discover resources, and connect with other military-affiliated students. The VCOE also has a hang-out space and study area with snacks, coffee, computers, printers, TV, and more.

Photos provided by Monica Patton.

Vice President of Instruction Dr. William “Terry” Brown shared his story with Clark students, faculty, and staff at the Fall Student of Color Luncheon on November 12 in PUB 161.

The free event is presented each term by Clark’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Multicultural Student Affairs. The purpose of the student luncheons is to allow students and employees to hear inspiring stories, connect with faculty, meet new friends, consider different career paths, and identify community resources and potential mentors.

Dr. Brown began by saying, “Today I have the opportunity to address the most important people here at Clark College—our students.”

Then he spoke directly to the students, weaving his personal stories into his narrative as a Black man growing up in Florida at the beginning of desegregation. He challenged societal norms, earning a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and then a doctorate.  

Dr. Brown said, “Never underestimate what students can achieve.”

He talked about how during the Civil Rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s, and how students were instrumental in bringing about societal change.

“When I look around this room, I see people who are fully capable of changing the world,” he added, “I am convinced that when capable, talented people are supported, there’s no limit to what they can achieve.”

He challenged students: “Nobody does anything really important by themselves. Surround yourself with people who will help you become successful.”

Decide who you want to be:

• Conceive your vision of yourself as a fully functioning human being.
• Choose – There’s power in choice: what you choose to be, where you choose to go, who you choose to spend time with. Not choosing is also a choice.
• Commit to where you’re going and what you’re doing.
• Challenge limitations, especially if they are self-imposed.

Dr. Brown told students: “Challenge your own limitations. Sometimes the biggest obstacles are the limitations we put on ourselves. To students of color, there are enough limitations out there. Don’t put limitations on yourself.”

He added, “People challenged my intellect, my competence, my identity, even my personhood.”

Here are some of the questions people have asked him:

• “Who the hell do you think you are?”
• “Why are you here?”
• “You’re too black.”
• “You’re too white.”

Dr. Brown said, “For the person of color, there will always be some challenge to your personhood. Take time every day to affirm your personhood. Your strengths. Your weaknesses. Where you come from. Where you’re going. This is a fight for our personhood.”

He spoke about the importance of finishing what we start: “Completing a task gives you a record of your accomplishment. You look back on what you’ve already done. That can be your guide to go forward.”

He charged the students to have the courage to conceive their vision of who they are and who they want to be, then to commit to their vision and achieve their vision. “It takes courage to see this through to the end.”

Dr. Brown concluded with a quote from author Marianne Williamson: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?”

Read a story here about Dr. Brown’s Penguin Talks presentation at Vancouver Community Library.

Connect with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI)

• In-person: Diversity Center, Gaiser Hall 214
• Phone: 360-992-2292
• Email: diversity@clark.edu
• Website: www.clark.edu/cc/diversity

Photo: Clark College/Susan Parrish

The Clark College community gathered to celebrate the open house of the Basic Needs Hub on November 6. Students, staff, faculty, and members of the Clark College Foundation toured the space and greeted the staff.

People chatted on the comfy couches. Some signed their names to penguin prints and pinned them on a bulletin board that says: Penguins Flock Together for Basic Needs. Other visitors helped themselves to coffee, sparkling water, fruit, or donuts. Many stopped to say “hello” to Oso the therapy dog, an important member of the Basic Needs team.

Q: What are the basic needs for Clark students – or any college students?

A: The list of basic needs for students is long: Housing, food, water, clothing, physical health, mental health, childcare, transportation, access to technology, and other needs that students may face difficulty with, and that hinder their ability to begin or continue their enrollment in school.

Clark College and the city of Vancouver provide a comprehensive system of basic needs services to support the personal and academic success of students. The Basic Needs program helps students better navigate and understand all the resources available.

Basic Needs Hub

The Basic Needs Hub is open to all Clark College students, staff, and faculty. Come grab a coffee and a snack, and take a break. They also have computers, printers, and school supplies to help students get their homework done. They also stock supplemental pantry items and hygiene products.

The Basic Needs Team is eager to connect with Clark students, support them in accessing Basic Needs resources, and cultivate their sense of belonging at Clark.

Donate to support the hub’s fundraising campaign.

Basic Needs Team

Caitlin Malvar, Basic Needs Navigator, is assisted by two Portland State University graduate students earning master’s degrees in social work, Meagan Montalto and Pearl Brown, who are the team’s Basic Needs Program Specialists.

Let’s not forget, Oso, the Basic Needs therapy dog. Oso and his owner, Caitlin, are a certified therapy dog team. Find him in the Basic Needs Hub, where he helps bring comfort and support to the campus community. Come say hi! When Oso isn’t working hard in the Basic Needs Hub, he loves to hike, go to the coast, chase squirrels, and snuggle with his black cat sister, Luna.

Malvar said, “I am grateful to be building the foundation of a very special space here at Clark College. I am motivated and overjoyed to see the Basic Needs Hub open and serving students. With the help of my team, I know we will make a huge impact on our community.”

All about the Basic Needs Hub

• Learn more about the Basic Needs team here.
• Learn more about the Hub here.
• Basic Needs resource inventory here
• Donate to the Basic Needs Hub here

Connect with the Basic Needs Hub

• Where: Gaiser Hall 216 (upstairs next to WES)
• When: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Email: basicneeds@clark.edu
• Phone: 360-992-2766

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish

Clark College students, staff, and supporters gathered with the Clark College Foundation on November 6 at the Hilton in downtown Vancouver for a dinner event to celebrate the intersection between students, scholarships, and the community. The Clark College Foundation Annual Event: A Scholarship Story focused on the impacts of scholarships, not just in a student’s life, but how they ripple throughout the entire community.

Clark College mascot, Oswald, greeted guests and posed for photos. The evening ended with a rousing performance by White Lotus Dragon and Lion Dance Team.

The Foundation awarded more than $1.6 million in scholarships to Clark students during the 2023-2024 academic year, contributing to the over $9 million in financial aid grants and loans distributed to the students. Since the Foundation’s inception in 1973, it has supported Clark College with more than $85 million, including scholarships and grants for education and essential needs.

Cheree Nygard, chair of Clark College Foundation board of directors said, “Every scholarship represents an investment in the future, helping students who might not otherwise pursue their dreams. Whether it’s a single parent balancing work and school, a first-generation student blazing new trails, or someone retraining for a new career, scholarships make these stories of success possible. Education is the foundation of a thriving community, and at Clark, we are shaping the future of Southwest Washington, one student at a time.”

Nygaard continued, “I’m passionate about this work because I’ve seen firsthand how it changes lives. When we support education, we’re not just helping individuals — we’re empowering families, building stronger neighborhoods, and creating a ripple effect of positive change that touches us all.”

Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards said, “It is truly a privilege to be here tonight, as we come together to celebrate the transformative impact of scholarships on our students and our community. Scholarships are more than just financial aid—they represent hope, opportunity, and belief in the future. They give students the chance to pursue their dreams, and they remind us that when we unite in support of education, we can achieve incredible things. This sense of unity, this collective commitment to making a difference, is what sets Clark College apart.”

A Scholarship Story

First-generation college student and scholarship recipient Malina Siharath, pictured above, spoke from the podium about how receiving three scholarships from the Foundation is making her second year at Clark much less stressful than her first year.

She said, “In my first year of college, I paid all expenses out of pocket or with personal loans. Because of the Darby/Smith Scholarship, Fordham Scholarship, and the Clark Alumni Scholarship, I will graduate from Clark College with only that first year of debt.” She added, “When the community helps students through scholarships, they truly change students’ lives on their academic journeys.”

Siharath is pursuing a communications degree, with a goal of working in public relations and social media. She already is putting her skills to work as director of public relations of Clark’s Phi Theta Kappa honor society.

Clark College Foundation CEO Calen Ouellette, said, “What an incredible evening this has been! We’ve heard powerful stories of how scholarships transform lives—creating opportunities, igniting dreams, and opening doors that might otherwise stay closed. But the best part? This story doesn’t end tonight. In fact, it’s just beginning, and you’re all part of it.” He added, “If you’ve been inspired by the stories and would like to continue being a part of this ongoing narrative, I invite you to support Clark College scholarships. Every dollar you give helps write the next chapter in a student’s life.”

Thank you to the event sponsors

• Waste Connections
• U.S. Bank
• U.S. Bank Wealth Management
• Peterson & Associates
• Moss Adams
• The Columbian

Learn more:

Learn more about the Clark College Foundation here
Support future Clark College scholars – Donate here

Photos courtesy of the Clark College Foundation and photographer Emily Shirron.