Every Clark College student enrolled in the Professional Baking and Pastry Arts program takes RBA’s certified journey exam as part of the curriculum expectations.  

Are you an enthusiastic home baker who has perfected choux pastry, meringues, and macarons? Do you relax by binge-watching episodes of The Great British Baking Show starring judges Prue Leith and that persnickety Paul Hollywood? Baking enthusiasts have a rare opportunity to watch professional bakers complete rigorous baking tests in Clark’s baking kitchens in October. 

Clark College’s Tod & Maxine McClaskey Culinary Institute will open its baking kitchens to host two national tests for professional bakers October 20-22. The college’s Professional Baking and Pastry Arts program will host the Retail Bakers of America’s certified baker and certified master baker practical tests. This is the first time the college is hosting the test.  

“Clark College is honored and excited to host Retail Bakers of America to our campus kitchen,” said Alison Dolder, professional baking and pastry arts instructor who leads Clark’s program. “We have a large viewing window in our kitchen, so anyone can come and watch the test.” 

Clark College is one of only three RBA testing sites scheduled during this academic year. The others are the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York and the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Ill. Recent RBA exams were in New York, San Antonio, Palm Beach and Chicago.  

Dolder worked with Marissa Velie, RBA certification and education director, to bring the national tests to the college’s baking kitchens.  

“The RBA is always looking for great test sites across the country,” Velie said. “It was time for us to visit the West Coast and give bakers in that part of the country the opportunity to get certified. Having the exam at Clark College has been a long time in the making and we are excited to finally make it a reality. Clark College has everything required for a test site: ample space and all necessary equipment to host several candidates.”  

The Practical Test  

The purpose of the certification program is to verify professional competency in the baking industry. The RBA has three levels of baking certification: certified journey baker, certified baker, and certified master baker. The test is open to any professional baker in the U.S. who qualifies to take the exam. US Foods and Bakemark donated ingredients for the test.

For the Certified Master Baker exam that will be administered at Clark College, bakers must have at least 10 years of industry experience and must pass a 200-question written exam before they can take the practical test. Velie will travel to Clark’s campus to administer the practical tests, which will entail 8 hours of production on both Saturday, Oct. 21 and Sunday, Oct. 22. Candidates will be provided with RBA recommended recipes but may choose to use their own recipes.  

The judges for the exam at Clark College will be Lee Ann Adams, Bakery Development Manager at Sheetz in Claysburg, Penn. and Collette Christian, Chef Instructor for the online program at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. All RBA judges are Certified Master Baker professionals. Test results will be provided to candidates immediately following the exam.  

“This is a great opportunity for our students to observe experienced bakers go through the rigorous process of the certified master baker exam,” Dolder said. “Someday, it could be them.” 

About Clark College’s Professional Baking and Pastry Arts program  

Clark College has offered professional baking education for more than 60 years. By blending a mastery of classic, fundamental techniques with the interpersonal and management skills needed in hospitality, the Tod and Maxine McClaskey Culinary Institute at Clark College offers all the ingredients students need for a successful culinary career—competitive programs, a seasoned team of instructors, a state-of-the-art culinary facility and collaborative industry partnerships. Clark College offers two options for prospective bakers: a certificate of achievement in Baking and Pastry Arts Fundamentals and an associate of applied technology degree in Professional Baking and Pastry Arts Management. Learn more here.  

About Retail Bakers of America   

Founded in 1918, the Retail Bakers of America, a not-for-profit trade association, is committed to the success of the retail baking industry. Its certification program is recognized throughout the industry as a standard for excellence in skills and knowledge. Learn more here. 

The college community and the public are invited to the Columbia Writers Series kick off its 2023-24 season with Sindya Bhanoo, recipient of the 2023 Oregon Book Award for Fiction. The free event begins at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19 in PUB 258 A-B. 

Bhanoo is the author of the story collection Seeking Fortune Elsewhere. She is the 2023 winner of the Oregon Book Award for fiction, the New American Voices Award and an O. Henry Prize.  

Seeking Fortune Elsewhere was a finalist for the Pen/Bingham Award and longlisted for both the Story Prize and the ALA’s Carnegie Medal for Excellence.  

A longtime newspaper reporter, Sindya has worked for The New York Times and The Washington Post. She lives in Corvallis, Oregon and teaches creative writing at Oregon State University. 

The Columbia Writers Series was launched at Clark College in 1988, bringing local, national and international authors to the college and the region. 

Other events featured during the 2023-24 series are: 

• Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 11 a.m.: Anis Mojgani, the tenth Poet Laureate of Oregon. A national and international poetry slam champion, his work has appeared on HBO, NPR and in The New York Times. He is the author of six books of poetry, the opera libretto Sanctuaries, a forthcoming children’s picture book and his latest collection, The Tigers, They Let Me.  

• Monday, April 29 at 11 a.m.: Andrew Leland. His debut book, The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight, about the world of blindness and figuring out his place in it, was published in July 2023 by Penguin Press. His writing has been published in The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, McSweeney’s Quarterly, and The San Francisco Chronicle, and more. He is a former host and producer of The Organist, an arts and culture podcast for KCRW. He also has produced segments for Radiolab and 99 Percent Invisible.  
   
• TBD in May: Clark College literary week. A week of literary events both on and off campus to engage the college community and the Southwest Washington community. 

Learn more about the Columbia Writers Series at www.clark.edu/cc/cws. 

Welcome Week kicked off Monday with the first day of fall term and the 2023-24 academic year. Parking lots were crowded as thousands of students returned to classrooms and labs across the main campus, at the Clark College Building at Washington State University Vancouver and also at Clark College Columbia Tech Center. Clark’s mascot, Oswald the Penguin, strolled the hallways and paused for photos with students, staff and faculty. 

As on every first day, students had questions: Where is this class? Where is this building? Can someone help me? In Gaiser Hall and along campus walkways, students could stop at staffed tables to get directions to a building, have questions asked, or get a snack and information about available resources. 

Gaiser Hall’s Student Center bustled with activity as students, staff, and faculty gathered for the Student Involvement Fair in Gaiser Student Center on Wednesday. Students had the opportunity to learn more about the college’s student clubs, programs, on-campus jobs and college and community resources. Students also connected with peers with shared interests—from building a rocket to drawing comics and much more.  

At Clark’s ASCC student government table, student leaders answered students’ questions and shared information about getting involved with student government. Learn about ASCC here.

Students stopped by the Activities Programming Board table to learn about upcoming opportunities to connect with fellow students—including Bingo on October 2, Stuff a Sasquatch on October 9, and watch a free family night movie, “The Barbie Movie” with free pizza and soda, on October 18. Learn more here.

At the Phi Theta Kappa Student Honor Society table, PTK students distributed backpacks filled with school supplies to students who had requested them. Darci Feider said PTK received 133 requests for backpacks, and with help from faculty and staff, purchased and filled 116 backpacks for Clark students. This year, PTK students will volunteer with Penguin Pantry every month. Learn more about PTK here.

At the Columbia Writers Series table, students learned about the literary series and an opportunity to meet 2023 Oregon Book Award Winner Sindya Bhanoo, author of the story collection, Seeking Fortune Elsewhere, on campus on October 19. Learn more here.

At the Igloo table, students picked up past issues of the art department’s annual comics magazine and learned that the 2023 Igloo will be distributed in October.

At the Korean Club table students saw traditional clothing and learned what the club offers: K-Pop, K-Dramas, Korean food, history and much more.

At the Clark Aerospace table, students displayed their “Little Penguin” rocket they designed and built last academic year. Over the summer, some of the students competed in the world’s largest intercollegiate rocket competition in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Volunteers from League of Woman Voters Clark County encouraged students to register to vote. Were you born on or before November 5, 2006? Then you can vote in the March 2024 presidential primary election. Register to vote here.

With food prices rising, students talked with Clark County Food Bank volunteers to learn about food resources available in the community.

Clark College wants to ensure students know about and can access wrap-around services, including Penguin Pantry, Disability Support Services, Counseling and Health Center and more.

Clark College community, we hope you will stop by Cannell Library during the week of October 2-6 to observe Tibetan Buddhist monks constructing a sand mandala. It’s a rare opportunity for us.

Clark College will host Tibetan Buddhist monks as they construct a sand mandala in Cannell Library on the college’s main campus. This will be the third time monks have constructed a sand mandala on campus. Previously, mandalas were constructed at Clark College in 2012 and 2020.  

All events are free and open to the community. They are co-sponsored by Clark College International Programs, Clark College Libraries, and Dharma Light Tibetan Buddhist Association of Vancouver. (See full schedule below.)   

This project can be appreciated simply as a beautiful and intricate time-based art form. According to Tibetan Buddhist belief, a sand mandala is meant to create a profound experience of compassion for any who attend. The positive effects of a sand mandala construction are believed to radiate out over the entire region, blessing the environment and the beings therein, in an effort for world peace. The mandala is destroyed in the closing ceremony, as a lesson in the impermanence of all phenomena. 

The opening and closing ceremonies will include traditional Tibetan Buddhist chanting and music. 

The closing ceremony also will include meeting at the Grant Street Pier at Vancouver Waterfront Park (West Waterfront Way and Grant Street).  

Anyone needing accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event should contact Clark College’s Disability Support Services Office at (360) 992-2314 or (360) 991-0901 (VP), prior to the event.  

View a video from the 2012 sand mandala construction on Clark College’s YouTube channel.  

Event poster (PDF) available for sharing.

Opening ceremony

• Monday, October 2, 12:00 – 12:30 p.m.   

Sacred Tibetan art presentation  

• Tuesday, October 3, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.  

Venerable Lobsang Dawa will speak about the history and meaning of the sand mandala and the importance of compassion in daily life.

Mandala construction 

       • Monday, October 2, 12:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

       • Tuesday, October 3, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

       • Wednesday, October 4, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

       • Thursday, October 5, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

       • Friday, October 6, 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Closing ceremony with music  

       • Friday, October 6, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Procession to Columbia River at Grant Street Pier

       • Friday, October 6, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.   

Clark College honored its 87th graduating class at the 2023 Clark College Commencement ceremony on June 15 at the RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater. The college conferred 1,833 degrees and certificates on 1,601 graduates, the next generation of our community’s workers, leaders, and scholars. More than 520 graduates and their guests gathered with college faculty and staff to celebrate their achievements.  

• 1,601 graduates who earned 1,833 degrees and certificates  
• 1,406 associate degrees  
• 1,100 direct transfer associate degrees 
• 81 bachelor of applied science degrees 
• 257 certificates 
• 89 high school diplomas  
• 450 Running Start students who graduated 
• 13 graduates from Larch Corrections Center; 12 students earned high school diploma or equivalent and 1 student earned the first Associate in Applied Science degree in Supervisory Management 

President Dr. Karin Edwards told the students, “We hope we have inspired you to excel and empowered you with the tools you need to transform your own life and others around you. Use the power of your degree to make the world a better place! As you move on to the next step of your life —and your next success — know that we are cheering you on to achieve the extraordinary!” 

Trustee Cristhian Canseco Juarez followed with these words, “For those of you who also come from another culture, embrace your differences. Use your language skills and gifts to connect across cultures, to advocate for and uplift others, and to make your community a better, more equitable place.” 

2023 Commencement Speakers:

• College President Dr. Karin Edwards 
• Trustee Cristhian Canseco Juarez, who spoke in both English and Spanish  
• Student speaker Darah Watts, Running Start student who earned her associate degree 
• CCAHE Faculty Union President and Professor of Communication Studies Suzanne Southerland 
• Interim Vice President of Instruction Dr. Jim Wilkins-Luton  

“We are entering a new chapter in our lives; this new chapter leaves behind our doubts, fears, and uncertainties. Because we have succeeded. Clark College has allowed us to have this precious moment by giving us, not only the power, but the tools to earn it.”

Darah Watts, Student Speaker

Sitting in the upper section of the amphitheater, Ruby Lainez-Pintor held up a large sign in support of her sister who was graduating: “Congratulations, Berenice!” 

After the last student had crossed the stage and the students had been conferred, the amphitheater crowd erupted with a cacophony of cowbells, kazoos, whoops, and clapping. 

Student Success Stories

It was a commencement that highlighted students’ legacy, courage, and second chances. 

Ashley Freese, Biology 

Ashley originally enrolled at Clark when she was 18, but shortly afterward became very sick with Hodgkins’ lymphoma and had to drop out of school. She returned to Clark in her 30s during the COVID pandemic. At commencement she crossed the stage and received an associate degree in biology. She is transferring to WSU Vancouver in the fall to earn a bachelor’s degree in environmental science. 

Bradon Monahan, Welding 

Bradon served his country as a Marine in Afghanistan, then Okinawa, then stateside. After a series of injuries, he was honorably discharged and faced surgeries and physical therapy. He enrolled in Clark’s Welding program because he likes working with his hands and welding helps him focus and calms his mind. Bradon earned his associate in applied technologies in Welding Technology. The day after commencement, Bradon, his wife, and their six children left for their next chapter in rural Oklahoma, where they bought a home. Although Bradon’s injuries prevent him from the rigors of fulltime welding, he plans to help local farmers by making welding repairs on their equipment.  

Amelia Harris, Running Start 

Amelia earned her associate degree while concurrently graduating from Fort Vancouver High School. She is a fourth-generation Clark College student. Her great grandmother, grandmother, grandfather, mother, and father all attended Clark. Amelia’s grandmother also worked for the college for 25 years. Amelia, who was captain of her high school’s bowling team, received a bowling scholarship to Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina, where she plans to major in business management and marketing.  

Thavian McKinney, Surveying & Geomatics 

On his last day of high school, Thavian severely fractured his leg, which required extensive surgery, and left him unable to walk for three months, followed by months of physical therapy. While he was recovering and could not stand for long, he enrolled in Clark’s Surveying & Geomatics program and completed his core classes online. But Thavian had to delay his first-year survey classes, which required lots of walking. He was given permission to complete two years of surveying courses during his second year. Before he graduated and earned an associate in applied science degree, he was hired as a lead survey technician at a design firm.  

Student Awards

Community College Presidents’ Award: Sonia Talero-Pachon 

Sonia received the 2022-2023 Community College Presidents’ Award in honor of Val Ogden. This annual scholarship is given to a Clark College graduate who demonstrates leadership potential, a commitment to community service, and academic achievement and is transferring to WSU Vancouver.  

Sonia exemplifies the resiliency and tenacity of first-generation college graduates. As a peer mentor in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, she worked with students in various cultural contexts, fostering connectivity, and embracing inclusivity. She believes in contributing to the community by cherishing her diversity, growing as an individual, and honoring her Colombian roots. Higher education is important to her because it opens the door to her dreams of owning and running a successful cultural events company to help systemically non-dominant communities demonstrate their artistic talent. She intends to become the first female in her family to graduate from a four-year university. 

Thanks to the Clark College Foundation’s generosity, two other graduates were selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship each:  

• Madelaine Debarber 
• Alexandria ‘Lexi’ Kneipp 

PTK All-Washington Academic Team Graduates  

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the honors society for two-year colleges, chose the following graduates based on academic excellence and community service:  

• Alexandria ‘Lexi’ Kneipp 
• Ella Merusic

Read more about the honorees

Faculty and Staff Awards

2023 Exceptional Faculty Award 

• Dan Alberghetti, Network Technology 
• Chef Earl Frederick, Cuisine Management 
• Dr. Jacob Funk, Music 
• Rebecca Herman, Dental Hygiene 
• Dr. Julian Nelson, English 
• Michiyo Okuhara, Japanese 

2023 Lora Whitfield Social Equity Award (announced at Opening Day 2022)

• Christina Smith, English 
• Cydney Topping, English  

2023 Exceptional Classified Staff Award (announced at Opening Day 2022)

• Chris Layfield, Security and Safety 
• Jessica Sanders, Transitional Studies 

2023 Exceptional Administrative Exempt Award (announced at Opening Day 2022) 

• Alyssa Voyles, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 

Tammy Thomas fulfilled her decades-long dream of becoming a nurse when her mother walked across the stage and attached a Clark College Nursing pin to her daughter’s lapel. Tammy was one of 29 nursing graduates celebrating completing their Registered Nurse education at Clark’s Nursing pinning ceremony on June 16 in Gaiser Student Center.  

The room was packed with families and friends—and so many babies, toddlers and young children—who had supported and cheered on their hard-working nursing students through the rigors of Clark’s program.  

During the ceremony, Ethan Cockerham received the Florence Nightingale Award, which is bestowed upon a graduate who has shown exceptional clinical performance. He spoke about how Clark’s nursing program is well respected throughout the region. When he first moved to the metro area to eventually attend nursing school, he was working as an emergency medical technician (EMT). At every hospital he walked into, he asked the staff which was the area’s best nursing program. Overwhelmingly, the answer was the same: Clark College.  

Ethan told his fellow nursing graduates: “We started at the height of COVID when it was chaotic and complicated with nursing strikes and vaccine refusals.” He added, “We’ve arrived! We have so much good to do in this world.” 

Angie Bailey, Nursing faculty department chair, explained that the Nursing graduates already have applied for licensure in the state they want to work in. They have one final step to take to earn an “RN” after their name. They must pass a rigorous exam, the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-RN. It is a nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. 

Standing in the back of the room, she nodded toward the stage where the 29 new nurses sat and said, “Our students are phenomenal.”  

In turn, each graduate stood and was pinned by someone who was important in their journey to become a nurse.  

• Emilio Gomez was pinned by his wife, an ER nurse, with the help of their two children. 
• Janey Hume was pinned by her sister, Esther, a former graduate of Clark’s RN program. 
• Miriah Mallory was pinned by her husband, who held their baby. She had become pregnant and given birth while completing the nursing program. 
• Tammy Thomas was pinned by her mother, a nurse and nursing professor. 

Tammy’s nursing story 

Tammy always wanted to be a nurse because her mother, Linda Rose, was a nurse. After graduating from high school, Tammy enrolled in a nursing program at a community college in California, but life got in the way. With only two classes to go, she became pregnant. After her daughter was born, Tammy finished her general associate degree in 2000, but she had to put nursing school on hold to raise her daughter.  

Tammy said, “I worked as a human resources manager for 16 years while I was raising my daughter, but I was always thinking about nursing.” 

Tammy watched her mother’s fulfilling nursing career, which included working at Oregon Health Sciences University and then becoming a nursing professor at Concordia University. 

Meanwhile, Tammy’s daughter, Daryl Hogan, grew up, went to nursing school and is an oncology nurse. She is earning a master’s degree so that she can become a nursing professor just like her grandmother. 

Now inspired by both her mother and her daughter, Tammy decided to return to college to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse.  

She said, “I chose Clark because it has one of the best and most prestigious nursing programs around.”  

At age 52, Tammy graduated with an AA in Nursing DTA/MRP, and next will take her exam to become a Registered Nurse. Tammy is not planning on stopping there. She plans to earn her bachelor’s degree and to work in neonatal intensive care (NICU) or women’s health.  

In earning her nursing degree, Tammy joins her mother and daughter and completes their three-generation nursing family. 

“It’s been quite the journey,” Tammy said. “I have learned that I have the perseverance and courage to follow my dream,” Tammy said. “My advice to students: Don’t give up on your dreams. Believe in yourself. It doesn’t matter how old you are. Just set a goal to do what you love, believe in yourself, and take that first step. Then the next.”  

Then all 29 nurses stood and recited the Nightingale Pledge, pledging to uphold certain ethics and standards within their profession. It is a modified version of the Hippocratic Oath for doctors.  

Many of these nursing graduates have transferred to Washington State University Vancouver and will begin working toward their bachelor’s degrees in the fall. There is a seamless transition between the two schools and their nursing programs. 

History of Nursing at Clark

• First pinning ceremony: 1962 
• Number of total nursing graduates: 4,351 
• Number of nursing classes graduating: 144 

Nursing Pledge 

In full knowledge and understanding, I promise to care for the sick with all of the skill and understanding I possess, without regards to race, creed, color, politics, or social status, sparing no effort to preserve quality of life, alleviate suffering, and promote health. I will respect at all times the dignity and beliefs of the patients under my care, holding in confidence all personal information entrusted to me, and refraining from any action which may endanger life or health. I will endeavor to keep my professional knowledge and skills at the highest level and give loyal support and cooperation to all members of the health care team. I will do my utmost to honor the international code of ethics applied to nursing and uphold the integrity of the nurse.  

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish

Engineering and Computer Science students preparing to graduate presented their projects in an expo in the STEM Collaboratorium on June 6.  

Engineering Professor Izad Khormaee explained that at the beginning of the academic year, students were assigned a task: to build and design a project that solves a real-world problem. Students proposed their project and designed it in Fall term, built it in Winter term, and improved on it in Spring term.   

Brandon Eastman (above) designed and built an electric-powered robot for use in production line automation. His project combines mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science. 

“It’s very simple,” Brandon said. “It is three motors equaling three degrees of freedom. Each motor is a wheel.”  

Brandon is earning his associate degree in electrical engineering and transferring to WSU Vancouver to pursue a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.  

Mellanie Martin (above) displayed the bioinformatics program she created that applies computer science principles to biological data.  

“This program takes a DNA strand and transcribes it to RNA,” she said. “Bioinformatics is a growing field. We have so much biological data, but we don’t know what to do with it.”  

Mellanie is transferring to WSU Vancouver to earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science.  

Linnea Castro (above) a mother of three children, enrolled at Clark in her late 30s to pursue a career in computer science. She is transferring to WSU Vancouver to pursue her bachelor’s degree. She created a homework timer to encourage kids to focus for 25 minutes. 

“It’s fun to do a project that’s manifested around something you want to learn,” Linnea said.    

Outside on the terrace, Carlos Aragón (top of page) demonstrated his renewable energy project, Ram Power Energy, a wave-powered generator that transforms hydraulic energy into electrical energy. He hopes to use this technology to harvest the energy of the ocean waves to produce electricity and to extract hydrogen.  

Carlos is earning his associates in electrical engineering and is transferring to WSU Vancouver, where he plans to earn his bachelor’s degree while continuing to improve his project. Eventually, he believes this process could not only be used to generate energy but also to clean the oceans.   

“I’m excited to see how to use it,” he said. “I hope to inspire more students at Clark to research new sustainable and clean energy sources.” 

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish

In a grassy field west of Ridgefield Junction, Clark College officials gathered at the site of the future Clark College at Boschma Farms campus to commemorate the project’s “first dig” on June 12.

Clark College at Boschma Farms will be similar to the college’s other auxiliary campuses at Washington State University Vancouver and Columbia Tech Center. The first dig kicked off the construction of the site’s first building, the Advanced Manufacturing Center. The 48,000 square-foot building is projected to be ready for classes beginning Fall term 2025.

Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards was joined by Clark College Foundation CEO Calen Ouellette; Board of Trustees Chair Paul Speer and Vice Chair Cristhian Canseco Juarez; the college’s Vice President Administrative Services Sabra Sand, Vice President of Information Technology Sudha Frederick, Interim Vice President of Instruction Jim Wilkins-Luton and others.

Representatives from Mortenson Construction and Henneberry Eddy Architects, the companies selected for Progressive Design-Build services on the first building, also participated.

The group gathered in front of an enormous John Deere Excavator that already had made the first dig and had created a mound of dirt.

“We’re pleased to be here today for the first dig,” said Dr. Edwards. “This land has been blessed by the Cowlitz. During the last three years, there have been many conversations, a culmination of ideas flowing back and forth to get us here today.”

She looked around and said, “What you’re going to see in two years will be absolutely spectacular.”

Board of Trustees Chair Paul Speer said, “This is not just a building. It’s the seeds of our future. Generations will come here who we will never see.”

Carolyn Sizemore, market executive at Mortenson, invited everyone to grab a tiny gold shovel and plant a succulent with soil from the first dig. Next there was a golden shovel photo opportunity.

Finally, Dr. Edwards climbed into the cab of an enormous John Deere excavator, sat in the driver’s seat and looked around.

A copse of deciduous trees stood between the site and the Interstate 5, a half-mile to the west. To the east were rolling hills of farmland. To the south and west, new housing developments dotted the landscape. High above the field two hawks soared in search of dinner. The scene is bucolic.

But now there is work to do. White and pink flags on wooden stakes flapped in the breeze. The enormous excavator and other construction equipment—a bulldozer, a track loader, a mini excavator, and an off-loader—were ready to go to work.

In only two short years, Clark College students will gather here to pursue their dreams.

About Clark College at Boschma Farms

Clark College at Boschma Farms will offer a variety of programs to serve the community and equip students to complete a program at Clark College and be workforce ready. Eventually, the campus is expected to include classrooms, professional labs, offices, study areas, services and support spaces.

About the Boschma family

Hank and Bernice Boschma, originally from the Netherlands, settled in Ridgefield in 1965 where they purchased land to start a dairy farm. They took a citizenship course at Clark in preparation for the national exam. Later, their daughter Gerry attended Clark.

Learn more at https://www.clark.edu/about/visitors-guide/getting-to-clark/boschma/

View more photo on Flickr

Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Clark College International Programs students, faculty and staff gathered on June 8 to celebrate the graduation of eight students representing five countries: Canada, Colombia, Norway, South Korea, and Vietnam. Three of the graduating students have earned bachelor’s degrees.  

• Chau Boi Nguyen, Vietnam, Bachelor of Applied Science, Cybersecurity  
• Heymi Park, South Korea, Bachelor of Applied Science, Dental Hygiene  
• Jennifer Garcia-Caro, Canada, Bachelor of Applied Science, Dental Hygiene 
• Kiet Huang Ahn Pham, Vietnam, Associate of Science Transfer, Engineering 
• Oeyvin Fluge Rydland, Norway, Associate of Arts, general AA-transfer
• Sonia Talero Pachon, Colombia, Associate in Applied Science, Business Administration   
• Justin Craig Willis, Canada, Associate in Applied Science, Business Administration   
• Sungmin Yoon, South Korea, Associate in Arts, Studio Arts  

Jody Shulnak, associate director of International Programs and Maggie Li, International admissions manager, presented graduating students with colorful stoles representing their country’s flag. Students will wear these stoles over their robes at commencement. 

“The honor is ours to be a part of your story,” Shulnak told the students. 

International Programs provides support services and opportunities to foster a global perspective and cross-cultural competence for Clark College and the communities it serves. The program also offers an Intensive English Language program. During the 2022-23 academic year, the college had 55 international students. 

International students hear about Clark College in a number of ways. The college’s international recruitment plan includes armchair recruitment, working with agents, both virtual and face-to-face recruitment fairs, social media campaigns, print and online marketing around the world, partnering with EducationUSA, and more. In addition, many students have relatives living in Vancouver or Clark County. 

Shulnak said, “We offer holistic support for our international students. We also provide opportunities for students to study abroad for an academic term.”  

International students who are acclimating to living in a new country, culture, language environment, and college campus community, go through an intense adjustment period. Shulnak said the college community can help foster a sense of belonging for our international students by making an effort to learn their names, offering assistance, inviting them to share their perspectives, encouraging campus engagement, and generally creating a welcoming environment.  As a college, adopting a culture of inclusion will help international student retention. 

International Programs students were recognized for completing the Intensive English Language program, for receiving scholarships, being student athletes, and more.  

Some students spoke at the podium to offer their insight and advice for students who are not yet graduating. 

“Living abroad away from your family can be very hard,” said Sonia Talero Pachon. “Check your mental health. I have friends at Clark, at my job, and outside of Clark. That’s what keeps me sane.” She added, “The unconditional support that Clark has given me made this graduation possible, and I am forever grateful for that.” 

A slideshow highlighted the program’s connections with students throughout the year, from a space to hang out in Penguin Union Building, to Sakura Festival, bowling, a Halloween party, and field trips to Port of Vancouver and the beach. 

Shulnak recognized the program’s 2022-23 International Peer Mentors, Sungmin Yoon from South Korea and Ziyad El Amrani from Morocco. The program is accepting applications for peer mentors for the 2023-24 academic year. Students need not be international students, but must be enrolled at Clark for fall, winter, and spring terms. For information, contact International Programs at international@clark.edu or 360-992-2390. 

About International Programs:  

International Programs provides support services and opportunities to foster a global perspective and cross-cultural competence for Clark College and the communities it serves. Learn more here.  

View International Programs electronic brochure here.     

Learn about Study Abroad programs here.  

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish

An attentive crowd of 80 students, faculty, and staff gathered for the Spring Queer Luncheon on June 8 during Pride Month. The free event is presented each term by Clark’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

A panel representing Clark students, faculty, and staff shared their journey toward discovery of their queer identity, their search for building community, and their challenges including feeling safe and navigating family relationships. The panel was moderated by student Sonia Talero Pachon. Panelists were:

• Student Matty Quinn
• Student Serenity Raewyn
• Alyssa Voyles, Director of Employee Equity, Outreach & Engagement
• Professor Christina Smith

Here is some of the panel’s discussion:

What was your journey toward discovering your queer identity?

“By the time I was 5 or 6, I knew.”

“Society tells us what’s acceptable. Parents have opinions. But I can re-embrace who I am. I feel a lot of us are constantly evolving.”

“I was in a toxic relationship because I was uncomfortable with who I was.”

What are some of the ways you have found to build community and support within the LGBTIQ+ community? And within Clark College?

“In the college’s Queer Agenda, we are about creating a safe space where people could be themselves and make friends.”

“It was through the amazing people at the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion where I started to find community.”

“I spent a lot of time in the Diversity Center, connecting with others. That’s when you find the most genuine people. You find the commonalities.”

“Community doesn’t just have to be in a physical space. I may not have a large in-person community, but I have developed a community online.”

What are some of the challenges you’ve had?

“Being part of the community, but still not feeling completely welcome.”

“I want to feel not just comfortable, but safe. I felt safer in Portland but moved to Vancouver. I don’t go out to eat in Vancouver.”

What are some ways you have found to advocate for the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community?

“For me, it’s showing up for others in the way I didn’t have.”

“I’m visible to my students.”

“My advocacy doesn’t necessarily come from standing with a sign that says Black Lives Matter or Love is Love—although I have done that—but it’s relationships. How we treat each other.”

What advice would you give your younger self or other people about being part of the LGBTIQ+ community?

“I have a good friend who in his late 30s attempted suicide several times. He decided in his 40s to live authentically. It is never too late to be yourself.”

“Find queer content you can identify with.”

“For Pride Month, let’s focus less on ‘Love is love’ and more on ‘Trans people are dying.’”

“I’ve always been the weird kid who didn’t have friends. I never went to any school dances. Don’t wait for an invitation that’s not going to come. Just go. Do the thing.”

“You have to walk through your own life. Find a way that’s comfortable for you.”

To learn more, visit the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s website.

Photo: Clark College/Susan Parrish