Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards was recently named a Paragon President by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK). The award recognizes college presidents who have shown support of student success initiatives leading to stronger pathways to completion, transfer, and employment. They have taken an active interest in supporting students, including high-achieving students and developing student leaders on campus.  

“This award is especially meaningful to me because I was nominated by our students,” said Dr. Edwards. “Nomination and selection for this award is recognition that PTK and other students know they have my support.” 

To be eligible for this award, college presidents and CEOs must be new in their role, having served less than three years. Recipients are nominated by students on their campus and are only eligible to receive the award once. These 20 recipients were selected from among 426 college presidents, chancellors, and CEOs eligible to receive this award. 

“These college presidents have students-first leadership styles and have made it a priority to keep students engaged throughout the pandemic,” said Phi Theta Kappa President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “Their nomination is evidence of the gratitude their PTK students feel for supporting them and students like them—even during the most difficult times.”  

All PTK Paragon Presidents will be recognized during PTK Catalyst 2022, the Society’s annual convention in Denver, Colorado, on April 7-9. 

About Clark College 

Founded in 1933, Clark College provides residents of Southwest Washington with affordable, high-quality academic and technical education. It is a public community college offering more than 100 degree and certificate programs, including bachelor’s and associate degrees; professional certificates; high school diplomas and GED preparation; and non-credit community and continuing education. Clark serves a wide range of students including high school students, displaced workers, veterans, parents, non-native English speakers, and mature learners. Approximately three-quarters of its students are in the first generation of their families to attend college. Learn more at www.clark.edu.  

Clark College expressly prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, citizenship, immigration status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal in its programs and activities. Learn more at www.clark.edu/nds. 

About Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.  

High school students can learn how to take the next step in their education by attending one of three optional Virtual Running Start Information Night sessions hosted by Clark College. 

The identical sessions will be held 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8; Wednesday, Feb. 23; and Thursday, March 10. All three events, which are free and open to the public, will be held virtually over Zoom.  

Running Start allows eligible juniors and seniors to earn college credit while they fulfill their high school graduation requirements. Running Start students attend Clark classes along with other college students. They can choose from a full range of academic and professional and technical courses. 

The program, which can significantly reduce the cost of a college degree, has proven popular in Southwest Washington. Some Running Start students are so motivated that they earn their associate degree from Clark at the same time that they earn their high school diploma. These annual information nights frequently attract hundreds of interested students and parents.  

These information sessions are for students and families who want to know more about beginning the program in Fall 2022. While the sessions are completely optional, they are a good opportunity to hear current Running Start students candidly describe their experiences in the program and to learn about the program benefits, eligibility criteria, expectations, timelines, and more.  

An American Sign Language interpreter, live captioning, and Spanish/Russian interpreters are available for all event dates. Additionally, sessions will be recorded and made available in March at www.clark.edu/runningstart.  

Running Start students pay for books, transportation, and some fees, but do not pay full Clark College tuition. Students can attend part-time or full-time under the Running Start program. Fees are subject to change by the Washington State Legislature. A fee waiver is available for those demonstrating financial need.  

Individuals who need 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) as soon as possible. 

For more information on Running Start, visit the Clark College website at www.clark.edu/runningstart. For information about Running Start Information Nights, call 360-992-2078.  

Clark College is honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a day of virtual events on Wednesday, January 19.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Black Wellness: A Day of Healing.” Find Zoom links and additional details at www.clark.edu/cc/mlk. Events include:

Black Education Leaders Panel Discussion

Learn more about leading at educational institutions
9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

Meditative Stretching: Keyonda McQuarters

Join us for guided practive all levels welcome
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Lunch

Free lunches (selection of pork, chicken or portobello) available for pick up at the McClaskey Culinary Institute, no advanced orders, first come first serve, while supplies last.
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Keynote speaker: Velynn Brown

We Shall Overcome: Reflections on the Spiritual Practice and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Governor Jay Inslee has appointed Denise Gideon to the Clark College Board of Trustees. Gideon is a seasoned healthcare leader with an extensive record of service to communities. She is currently the System Vice President of Operations & Program Integration at PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Washington, where she also serves as the executive sponsor for the Black and Allies Network Group.

“I have an affinity for community colleges and would not be where I am today if it hadn’t been for getting my first degree from Berkeley City College,” said Gideon.

Gideon’s service to the community includes participation as a board member of Educational Opportunities for Children & Families of Southwest Washington, an officer of the Joyce Finley Foundation, a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and as a volunteer coordinator for Rebuild Together Portland.

Previously, Gideon’s professional career spanned leadership roles at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland and at Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland, as well as at the Alameda Alliance for Health. She is the former co-chair of the Board of Directors of St. Martin De Porres Catholic School and is active in faith communities wherever she lives and works.

Gideon served as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the U.S. Army during Desert Storm and received her undergraduate degree in Organizational Management from Patten University in Oakland, California. She subsequently received an M.B.A. in Business Administration, emphasizing strategy, from John F. Kennedy University in California.

Gideon began her term on November 19 and is filling the position left vacant by the death of Jane Jacobsen in May. Her term runs until September 30, 2024.

“Denise is an exceptional addition to the Clark College Board,” said Rekah Strong, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Her executive experience of mergers, acquisitions, and workforce, as well as her background in the medical field, will bring a much-needed form of acumen to our board.”

The Board of Trustees consists of five members appointed by the Governor of Washington. Members serve five-year terms and must live in the college’s service district. The Board is responsible for strategic planning; development and approval of college policies; and approval and oversight of the operating budget.

Nursing professor Dianne Lucia was granted tenure during the Clark College Board of Trustees meeting on December 8.

Tenure is awarded by the college’s Board of Trustees to faculty based on professional excellence and outstanding abilities in their disciplines. The granting of tenure is based on the recommendations of tenure review committees to the vice president of instruction, which are then forwarded to the president, who presents a final recommendation to the Board of Trustees. Recommendations are based on self-evaluations, tenure review committee evaluations, student evaluations, supervisory evaluations, and peer evaluations. The final decision to award or withhold tenure rests with the Board of Trustees.

Lucia will be honored at the 2022 tenure reception on May 25.

About Dianne Lucia

Dianne Lucia earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Portland State University and her Master of Science in Nursing degree from Western Governors University. Additionally, she earned a Certification in Healthcare simulation from Boise State University in 2021. She has work experience in orthopedics, pediatric, and labor and delivery nursing at many local healthcare facilities including Providence Medical Center, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Southwest Washington Medical Center, PeaceHealth Southwest Washington, and Legacy Salmon Creek.

A resident of Vancouver, Lucia first joined the faculty of Clark College as an adjunct professor in 2005. She began teaching full-time in 2015. At the college, she oversees the program’s state-of-the-art simulation lab, a teaching tool that has had even greater importance during the COVID-19 pandemic when students had difficulty getting hands-on practice in clinical settings.

“I believe the most important role I have as a teacher is to promote a safe learning environment,” said Lucia. “I believe that experiential active learning is the most effective teaching approach. Simulation remains one of my favorite teaching strategies because it improves critical thinking through reflective learning.”

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving is often a sleepy time at Clark College, as students and faculty prepare to take time off for the long weekend. But this year, it was abuzz with activity, as students, staff, and faculty all worked to provide their community with holiday meals.

The event was a collaboration between the college’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter, the culinary arts programs, Student Life, the Penguin Pantry, and the Clark College Alumni Association. Many Clark College employees donate funds for the project each year through Clark College Foundation.

Volunteers provided 333 Thanksgiving meals prepared by Cuisine Management students, baked goods from the Professional Baking program, bread donated by sponsors Meineke, as well as to the regular monthly food boxes provided to Penguin Pantry recipients. In total, 122 students and their households–481 people in all–were provided with 4,326 pounds of food.

Established four years ago, the Penguin Pantry provides Clark College students with food, other basic goods, and connections to resources. Learn more at www.clark.edu/cc/penguinpantry.

The day before, Cuisine Management professor Earl Frederick and his students worked to make Thanksgiving meals for families with a member in hospice. Read the Columbian article about the project.

After a nationwide search, Clark College has announced the hiring of two new members of its Executive Cabinet. Dr. Michele Cruse was named Vice President of Student Affairs and Paul Wickline was named Vice President of Instruction. Dr. Cruse is starting in the position in November and Paul Wickline will begin on January 3, 2022.

“These are two crucial roles at the college, overseeing the two units with the most direct contact with our students—either in class settings or through student services,” said Clark College President Karin Edwards. “Michele and Paul are both highly qualified professionals who will be able to provide leadership and stability to the college.”

Both positions were filled after nationwide job searches and extensive interviews with hiring committees, college leadership, and open forums with the college community.

About Dr. Michele Cruse 

Dr. Michele Cruse has been serving as Interim Vice President of Student Affairs at Clark College since October 2020. Prior to coming to Clark, she served as Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs and Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Experiential Education at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford in Pennsylvania. A native Pittsburgher, Dr. Cruse earned her associate degree from the Community College of Allegheny County, her bachelor’s degree in public administration from the University of Pittsburgh, her master’s degree in public administration and nonprofit management from Portland State University, and her doctorate in community college leadership from the Oregon State University.

Dr. Cruse’s work experience includes both faculty and staff positions at Portland Community College, including dean of student development. She has owned her own business and served as co-founder of an organization focused on workshops and education for community members, women, disenfranchised youth, and those in alternative education.

At Clark College, Dr. Cruse leads Student Affairs, a unit that includes a wide range of services and programs including enrollment services, athletics, career services, international programs, financial aid, disability support, the Veterans Resource Center, and the Counseling and Health Center, among others.

Dr. Cruse lives in Vancouver with her husband, Michael. They have three adult children.

“I am very excited and feel very honored to work alongside dedicated Clark College leaders as the Vice President of Student Affairs,” said Dr. Cruse. “It’s my ultimate goal to ensure that we provide students with a campus environment where every student feels valued, respected, and included while pursuing their academic goals.”

About Paul Wickline 

Paul Wickline brings with him many years of experience in both teaching and leading in a variety of educational settings. He began his educational journey at Edmonds Community College studying vocal music. From there, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Education degree from Western Washington University and his Master of Education degree from Central Washington University. He is currently working on his doctoral dissertation in the Higher Education Leadership program at Portland State University.

Wickline began his teaching career as a high school English and drama teacher in Walla Walla, Washington. He then began teaching theatre at Walla Walla Community College. In 2008, he moved to the College of the Canyons in Southern California, where he served in a series of roles that brought increased leadership: faculty member, department chair, faculty outcomes and assessment coordinator, Academic Senate President, dean of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Assistant Vice President of Educational Pathways, and finally Associate Vice President of Instruction. He is a past faculty fellow of the Association of American Colleges and Universities Collaborative Project and a mentor in the Association of California Community Colleges Association mentorship program.

Wickline and his wife, Karol Matson, are relocating to the Vancouver area this winter.

“I am humbled and honored to serve alongside the exceptional faculty, staff, and administrators as the next Vice President of Instruction at Clark College,” Wickline said. “Clark College has an outstanding reputation for providing students with quality career and academic preparation to meet the evolving needs of community, business, and industry. I look forward to collaborating with Clark colleagues to best support our students.”

This article originally misidentified the institution where Dr. Cruse earned her doctorate. It was corrected on Nov. 22.

For more than a decade, Clark College has honored the cultures and traditions of indigenous peoples with an annual celebration and powwow held in early November. This year, as in 2020, that celebration needed to be held virtually due to COVID-19. A video including interviews with community leaders and images from past celebrations has been posted on the college’s web page devoted to the event. It is also posted below.

Registration for both winter and spring terms at Clark College opens on Tuesday, November 9. Students can check their specific registration time and date via their ctcLink account.

More than 40 percent of the approximately 1,200 classes on offer for winter term will include an in-person component—either as a fully face-to-face class, or as part of a hybrid model in which some class activities take place in person while others are completed online. Approximately 8,000 students were enrolled in Clark College in the 2021 fall term, and about one-quarter of all fall classes had an in-person component. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the college has provided free loaner laptops and other support for its online learners.

This winter, the college will be offering additional cohorts of some of its most sought-after degree programs, including a winter cohort in Welding Technologies, and spring cohorts in Pharmacy Technician and Cybersecurity. Winter will also see expanded course offerings in the college’s Management program, including MGMT 120, “Supervisor as a Trainer Coach.”

Additionally, the college will transition to being a fully vaccinated campus, meaning that all students participating in in-person classes, activities or services must be fully vaccinated or have an accepted medical or religious exemption on file before the beginning of the term. As in fall term, masks will continue to be required inside all college facilities. Learn more about the college’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccination and exemption guidelines, at www.clark.edu/covid-19.

“Data shows that the equity gaps in vaccination are closing, and we know that vaccinations are the best way to protect our community from COVID-19,” said Clark College President Karin Edwards. “That’s why we are becoming a fully vaccinated campus in winter term. I’m excited to welcome more students safely back to campus in 2022.”

Winter term classes begin January 3, 2022. Spring term classes begin April 4, 2022. All students must complete the enrollment process before registering for classes. Visit www.clark.edu/getstarted to learn more.  

On September 9, Clark College hosted a free workshop for women interested in advanced manufacturing and the mechanical trades on the college’s main campus. More than 30 women attended the event, which included hands-on activities and tours of the college’s Automotive, Diesel, and Welding labs, as well as the chance to speak with professors.  

The following video, narrated by Interim Dean of Workforce Professional Technical Education & STEM, captures some of the excitement from the event as well as the motivation behind it. Properly trained  technicians are in high demand in the advanced manufacturing and mechanical industries, and these careers can be rewarding both financially and professionally. However, a recent study found that only 1 in 3 manufacturing professionals are women. 

Two $1,800 scholarships will be made available to students who attend this event and enroll in a Clark College Automotive, Diesel, or Welding program by fall 2022. One scholarship was made available by Madden Industrial Craftsmen, the other through an anonymous donor.  

See more photos from the event on the college’s Flickr site.