The Clark College welding technologies program is proud to announce its accreditation as an American Welding Society (AWS) testing center. This accreditation makes national certifications available to both students and professional welders in the region who are seeking to advance their careers.

Beginning May 1, Clark
will make a number of certifications available for testing. The most common is
the Certified Welder (CW), which tests welders on procedures used in the
structural steel, petroleum pipelines, sheet metal, and chemical refinery
welding industries. Certifications available include Steel, Stainless steel and
Aluminum. In conjunction with the AWS certification, Clark College also offers
the Washington Association Building Officials (WABO) welding certification at
the Clark facilities.

Fees for certifications
will start at $300, with more-complex testing requiring up to $600. All testing
will be completed at the Clark welding lab located on the main campus, at 1933
Ft. Vancouver Way in Building AA2. The college will provide all the needed
steel, stainless steel, and aluminum materials required for completing the
certification examination.

Professionals
interested in testing for either AWS or WABO certifications at Clark College
may contact welding faculty member Brian McVay at 360-992-2359 or bmcvay@clark.edu
to discuss their certification requirements, the costs, and testing schedules. For
more information about Clark College’s welding technologies program visit www.clark.edu/cc/welding.

“We are excited to be
able to serve our community by providing this unique testing, which will help
expand the opportunities for career advancement in the industry and support
this region’s economy,” said McVay, noting that the next-closest AWS Accredited
Testing Facility is in Tacoma, Washington.

Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

On Friday, April 26, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Clark College invites the community to participate in an evening of free, family-friendly activities that celebrate both Latino culture and the value of literacy.

“Celebración de Mi Gente: El Día del
Niño/El Día del Libro” (“Celebration of My People: Day of the Child/Day of the
Book”) is an annual event hosted by the college. It is free and open to the
public. It is always held on or near the Mexican holiday of Día del Niño (April
30), which is also celebrated as Día del Libro
by the American Library Association. The festival will feature interactive
performances and activities, dancing, face-painting, bilingual games,
environmentally sustainable crafts, and delicious snacks. Clark College’s
mascot, Oswald the Penguin, will be on hand for photos with visiting children.

The event will be held in the Gaiser
Student Center on Clark College’s main campus. Clark College is located at 1933
Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver. Driving directions and parking maps are
available at www.clark.edu/maps. 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.

Photos from Clark’s 2017 Celebración de Mi Gente are available on
Flickr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/clark_college/albums/72157683286542155. Video of
past celebrations can be viewed on Clark YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/gNxuROUfDdY.

On Thursday, April 18, Clark College’s 2019 Sakura Festival will honor the historic ties of friendship between the sister-cities of Vancouver, Washington, and Joyo, Japan.

The
festival will begin at 1:00 p.m. with opening remarks near the Royce E. Pollard
Japanese Friendship Garden, which is located next to the Beacock Music Hall on
Clark’s main campus. Dignitaries who are scheduled to speak include Mayor Anne
McEnerny Ogle, Clark College President Bob Knight, Japanese Consul General
Takashi Teraoka, and Clark College Japanese Scholarship recipient Kiho Takedoa.

The
opening ceremony will include a koto performance by Yukiko Vossen and a
performance by the Clark College Women’s Choral Ensemble. The koto, a stringed
musical instrument, is the national instrument of Japan.

From
2:30 to 3:30 p.m., the Sakura celebration will continue in the Gaiser Student
Center, where guests will enjoy family-friendly cultural activities including
performances by the Clark College Japanese Cultural Club, traditional
calligraphy by Sora Shodo, a greeting from the college’s Child & Family
Studies program, and drumming by members of Takohachi TakoQ. Cookies and tea
will be served. Information about the Sakura Ceremony is available at www.clark.edu/cc/sakura.

All
events are free and open to the public. The Sakura Festival is sponsored by
Clark College, the City of Vancouver, and the Vancouver Rotary.

Clark
College is located at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver. Driving directions
and parking maps are available at www.clark.edu/maps. 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) or visit the Penguin Union Building room 013.

Twelve outstanding educators are the newest members of the
tenured faculty at Clark College. Dr. Amy Castellano (phlebotomy), Dr. Cara
Cocchiarella (physical health and education), Dr. Catherine “CeCe” Crosby (biology),
Dr. Jacob Funk (music), Hannah Jackson (mathematics), Julie Lemmond (business),
Dr. Xiunu “Sophie” Lin (physics), Meredith Lynch (Transitional Studies
English), Dr. Sam May-Varas (Transitional Studies English and mathematics),
Donivee Randall-Jones (nursing), Michelle Roth (English as a Second Language),
and Dr. Michelle Stoklosa (geology) were all granted tenure during the Clark
College Board of Trustees meeting on March 13. They will be honored at a
college reception on April 22.

Tenure is awarded by the college’s Board of Trustees 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.

About the faculty members

Dr. Amy Castellano

Dr. Amy Castellano holds a Bachelor of Science in physiological sciences from the University of Arizona and a doctorate in naturopathic medicine from the National University of Natural Medicine. In additional to her teaching and research work at both her alma maters, she has previous work experience at Tucson Medical Center, Banner Medical Center, Oregon Health and Science University Hospital, and as a naturopathic physician at multiple clinics.

At Clark College, Dr. Castellano serves as department head of
the phlebotomy program, and is a member of the program’s Advisory Committee,
the Healthy Penguin Walkabout Committee, and a task force to define the
college’s core healthcare curriculum.

“My teaching philosophy hinges on the belief that the
learning environment provides the foundation for growth, has the ability to
empower or demotivate students, and that a culture of positivity, respect, and
community should be created,” she said. “My goal is to cultivate a supportive
space for students to grow, allow their individual strengths to emerge, and
show a genuine interest in their success.”

Dr. Cara Cocchiarella

Dr. Cara Cocchiarella earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and health and human performance; her Master of Science in health and human performance; and her Doctorate of Education in educational leadership from the University of Montana. She has coaching and teaching experience in a wide range of educational institutions, including Lincoln High School, Peninsula Elementary, University of Montana, Gonzaga University, and University of Montana Western.

Dr. Cocchiarella has taught health and physical education at
Clark College since 2016. She currently serves as the lead instructor for the
college’s Fitness-Wellness course and is also a member of the college’s Queer
Employee Resource Group.

“As a teacher, I employ numerous active-learning modalities and
strive to make all lessons applicable to the lives of my students,” she said.
“The supportive community that we build in each of my classes is essential in
terms of maximizing engagement and individual growth of all students.”

Dr. Catherine “CeCe” Crosby

Dr. CeCe Crosby earned her bachelor’s degree in cellular and
molecular biology from Western Washington University and her master’s and
doctorate degrees in soil science from Washington State University. She has
previous teaching and research experience at Washington State University, Green
River College, and Tacoma Community College. She joined the faculty at Clark
College in 2016.

At Clark, Dr. Crosby serves as faculty liaison for the
college’s MESA program, which encourages underrepresented groups to participate
in STEM. She also serves on a pillar group for the college’s work to adopt the
Guided Pathways model of higher education and volunteers at the college’s
Science Olympiad competitions.

“My goal is to invite my students to see themselves as
scientists by developing their natural curiosity about the world and giving
them the skills to explore using the scientific method,” Dr. Crosby said. “I
focus on the skill development, learning from mistakes, and the practical
applications of knowledge to solve difficulty problems.”

Dr. Jacob Funk

Dr. Jacob Funk holds a Bachelor of Science in vocal
performance from John Brown University, a Master of Music in choral conducting
from the University of British Columbia, and Doctor of Musical Arts in
conducting from the University of Missouri Kansas City’s Conservatory of Music
and Dance. Before coming to Clark College in 2016, he had previous teaching
experience with Northwest Arkansas Community College, John Brown University,
and Berean Academy (a private K-12 school in Elbing, Kansas).

At Clark College, Dr. Funk serves as director of the vocal
music program, including the college’s Chorale and its Women’s Choral Ensemble.
He is also a faculty advisor for the music department.

“The choir rehearsal is what inspired me to want to be a
teacher and an artist, and I want to share and give that experience to others,”
he said. “My objective is that through their choral experience, my students
will learn about all aspects of music, learn about themselves, experience the
joy of creating something beautiful and meaningful together, and be better,
more educated people because of it.”

Hannah Jackson

Hannah Jackson hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics
from Willamette University and a Master of Science in mathematics from Syracuse
University. She has previous teaching experience at the University of Denver,
Arapahoe Community College, University of Colorado Boulder, and Front Range
Community College.

Currently Jackson coordinates Clark College’s college algebra
course and is part of the team piloting a new sequence of introductory-level
mathematics courses. She also serves on the college’s Math Activities
Committee.

“My teaching philosophy is that you cannot force a student to
learn,” Jackson said. “You must make them want to. I achieve this through high
levels of energy, enthusiasm, and a true love of my subject matter that comes
across clearly to my students, gets them excited about the course, and makes
them want to come to class and learn.”

Julie Lemmond

Julie Lemmond earned her Bachelor of Science degree in
business and management and her Master of Business Administration with a
concentration in finance from Marylhurst University. She began teaching at
Clark College in 2006 and has previous teaching experience at Marylhurst
University and Oregon State University.

At Clark, Lemmond serves as lead instructor for the college’s
accounting and finance courses; a Quality Matters reviewer; an accounting
tutor; and a faculty advisor in the college’s business program. Additionally,
she has led the accounting faculty through the process of adopting and
maintaining accounting resources and provides accounting resources to tutors to
help them support students.

“My objective is to help students become competitive in the
business world by developing logical and ethical business minds,” Lemmond said.
“I believe that anyone who wants to attend college should be able to attend
college.”

Dr. Xiunu “Sophie” Lin

Dr. Sophie Lin holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in
physics from Xiamen University in China and the University of Kentucky,
respectively. Prior to coming to Clark College in 2016, she taught at Eastern Kentucky
University and at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon.

At Clark, Dr. Lin serves on the college’s BUILD EXITO work
group, which provides research opportunities in STEM fields for Clark students.
She has also volunteered when the college has hosted a regional Science
Olympiad.

“As a science instructor, I believe in setting high and
specific goals for students at the beginning of a course and motivating them to
learn,” Dr. Lin said. “To engage students in active learning, I adopt various
kinds of research-based teaching approaches, including ‘peer instruction,’
in-class exercises, experiment demonstration, and backward course instruction.”

Meredith Lynch

Meredith Lynch earned her Associate of Applied Science degree
from Tacoma Community College and both her bachelor’s and master’s degree from
the University of Washington Tacoma. She served on the faculty of Pierce
College in Puyallup, Washington, for more than 10 years before coming to Clark
College in 2016.

At Clark, Lynch serves as vice-chair of the Environmental
Integrity Council and as Transitional Studies liaison to the English
Department. She also serves on the team responsible for redesigning the
college’s composition courses and co-requisites.

“I meet my students where they are and use collaborative,
student-centered, active-learning strategies to help them achieve their
educational goals,” Lynch said.

Dr. Sam May-Varas

Dr. Sam May-Varas earned his bachelor’s degree in economics
from the University of South Florida, his master’s in education from City
University, and his doctorate in educational leadership from Lewis & Clark
College in Portland, Oregon. He also holds a K-12 Administrator License through
the University of Oregon. May-Varas has 15 years of work experience in the K-12
system, both as a teacher and an administrator. He also has teaching experience
at Portland Community College and has taught at Clark College for four years.

Since coming to Clark, May-Varas has been active in numerous Transitional
Studies committees and works groups on topics that include academic standars,
identifying barriers to enrollment and student success, and recruitment. Additionally,
he serves on the Pillar 3 Work Group for the college’s work toward adopting the
Guided Pathways model of higher education and has helped develop curriculum for
the college’s High School 21-Plus and Welding I-BEST programs.

“In my position as
an educator, I believe in empowering students to engage actively in the
learning process,” he said. “This engagement offers individual students the
motivation to continue in education and ultimately reach their educational and
career goals.”

Donivee Randall-Jones

Donivee Randall-Jones earned her Bachelor of Science degree
in nursing from York College in Pennsylvania and her Master of Science in nursing
education from Walden University. She is in the process of completing her
doctorate in nursing practice and educational leadership from Walden.

A certified emergency nurse, Randall-Jones also holds
certificates in advanced cardiac life support, pediatric advanced life support,
and trauma nurse core courses. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, she has many years
of experience working in the emergency departments in Californian hospitals as
well as at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver. Before coming to
Clark College in 2016, she taught at Mt. San Jacinto Community College in
Menafee, California.

At Clark, Randall-Jones serves on her department’s
accreditation, curriculum, and sub-curriculum committees. She also has served
as a mentor to incoming teaching staff in her department.

“Nursing is a very broad profession in terms of knowledge
base and skill set,” Randall-Jones said. “There are many shades of gray when
the human body is involved, and my teaching approach fosters clinical reasoning
and judgment to help students make evidence-based decisions while in those gray
areas.”

Michelle Roth

Michelle Roth holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology
from Reed College in Portland, Oregon, and a Master of Arts in teaching English
to speakers of other languages from the University of Washington. She has
previous teaching experience at University of Washington, Portland Community College,
and Mount Hood Community College.

Since coming to Clark College as an adjunct instructor in
2000, Roth has been part of the college’s Transitional Studies department,
teaching in both its English as a Second Language and its Career and Academic
Preparation programs. She helped develop the curriculum for international
students in the college’s Intensive English Language Program, where she served
as department head. Currently, she serves as curriculum development lead for
three Transitional Studies courses and as a member of the Transitional Studies
Academic Standards Committee. Additionally, she is currently president of the
Washington Association for the Education of Speakers of Other Languages
(WAESOL), where she has served as a board member since 2015.

“Learning an additional language as an adult is an inherently
vulnerable act,” said Roth. “Therefore, my first task is to ensure that the
classroom is a place that supports my students’ bravery. Through real,
relevant, communicative activities, students gain the confidence and language
skills to achieve their career and academic goals.”

Dr. Michelle Stoklosa

Dr. Michelle Stoklosa earned her bachelor’s degree in biology
from Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania and both her master’s and
doctoral degrees in geology from the University of Wisconsin Madison. She has
previous teaching experience at Boise State University, Portland State
University, Marylhurst University, and Clackamas Community College. She
currently teaches in Clark College’s earth and environmental science
department.

At Clark, Stoklosa assisted in the development of the Natural
Sciences Course Alignment Rubric for the Associate of Arts degree, represented
adjunct faculty on College Council, and co-led a workshop at Faculty Focus on
Learning. She currently serves as a faculty advisor for the geology program.

“My goals for students are similar to those I have for myself
as a scientist: that we directly interact with the Earth, develop critical
thinking skills, and ultimately appreciate the Earth and the field of geology,”
she said.

About Clark College

Located in Vancouver’s Central Park and serving up to 12,000 students per quarter, Clark College is Southwest Washington’s largest public institution of higher education. The college currently offers classes at two satellite locations: one on the Washington State University Vancouver campus and one in the Columbia Tech Center in East Vancouver. Additionally, its Economic & Community Development program is housed in the Columbia Bank building in downtown Vancouver.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley. No photo available for Donivee Randall-Jones.

On March 21, two outstanding students represented Clark College at the 23rd annual All-Washington Academic Team ceremony, honoring 59 students from Washington state for their academic excellence and community service.

Top students from 33 of Washington state’s community and technical colleges were honored at the annual ceremony, which was held at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia; each received a medal and a $250 scholarship from KeyBank and became eligible for additional scholarships from private sponsors as well as transfer scholarships from four-year colleges and universities. Angela Kyle was also awarded a $750 scholarship from WSECU. Gov. Jay Inslee, who served as keynote speaker at the event, presented a signed proclamation declaring March 21, 2019 to be All-Washington Academic Team Day. 

The All-Washington Academic Team is a program of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges. Earlier this month, Alpha Sigma Phi was awarded the highest honor of Most Distinguished Chapter in the Greater Northwest Region, along with four other awards. 

This year’s Clark College All-Washington Academic Team members share many things in common: They both came to Clark in their 30s, after many years away from school; both are members of the college’s Entrepreneur Club; and both have found confidence in their capabilities through their achievement at Clark. Below is a bit about their stories.

Angela Kyle 

After graduating from high school, Angela Kyle went straight to a state university, intent upon becoming a teacher. But when she became pregnant with her first child, Kyle dropped out and put her educational plans on hold. It was only when all four of her children were in school that Kyle felt she could focus on her own goals again. She enrolled at Clark College in 2016. 

Kyle, now 41, said her experience at Clark was dramatically different from what she experienced at a large state university. “At university, they’re so focused on academics,” she said. “You’re kind of on your own. But at Clark College, they’re focused on the student as a whole. It’s so hands-on. Even online instructors share resources with us, from the Penguin Pantry to tutoring.” 

Kyle has taken a mix of face-to-face and online classes to balance her schoolwork, volunteer work, and family obligations. She is on track to graduate this June with both a transfer Associate of Arts and an Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration. She is also dual-enrolled in Central Washington University’s online program, working on a bachelor’s degree in social science/interdisciplinary studies with a minor in accessibility studies.  

Kyle’s responsibilities extend beyond her academics. She currently works as a Student Ambassador; serves as social media coordinator for the college’s Entrepreneur Club and as president of Clark’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter; and volunteers for both her local PTA and the All-American Girl Scholarship Program—all while maintaining a 3.63 GPA. While her work has been challenging, Kyle said she was inspired to keep going to be a role model to her children. 

“They see me, and college isn’t scary,” she said. “My oldest son is at Clark now too, through Running Start. None of my kids see college as unattainable.”  

Kyle wants to spread that message beyond her family. She plans to become a college advisor so that she can support other students—especially those, like herself, who are the first in their families to attend college. 

“My whole journey has prepared me for this career,” she says. “I’ve been all the kinds of student: I’ve been the freshman in a dorm straight out of high school, I’ve been the older student with a family coming back to school. Wherever a student might be coming from, I can relate to every part of the path they might be on … and hopefully make their journey a little shorter than mine was.” 

Heather Leasure 

Heather Leasure was sitting in the audience at her cousin’s graduation when the thought struck her: She should go to college herself. “My cousin is 11 years younger than me, and I felt embarrassed that she was getting her bachelor’s degree and I didn’t even have an associate,” she recalled. “So I came home and enrolled in summer quarter.” 

At Clark, Leasure discovered she had leadership and academic strengths she had never recognized within herself. As president of the college’s Entrepreneur Club, she helped start a new event at Clark called Pitch Fest, where budding student entrepreneurs could bring their start-up ideas and compete for a chance at the $25,000 grand prize offered at the University of Washington’s Business Plan Competition. She serves as public relations officer of the college’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and volunteers as a precinct commission officer in her neighborhood—all while maintaining a 3.82 GPA.  

In her first year at Clark, Leasure was struck a terrible blow that could have derailed her promising start to college: The store where she worked closed and she was laid off. “Financial aid has been the biggest support service for me, because without them I would not have been able to continue attending,” she said.  

Leasure said that she remains committed to continuing her education because she wants a more stable economic future. “I’m 36 and have worked since I was 15 in jobs that I had no future in,” she said. “What motivates me is the will to be better and to do better.” 

Leasure credited her mother as another motivating force in my life. “She didn’t graduate from high school, but she went back later in life and got her GED and an associate degree,” she said. “She is very proud that I returned to school after such a long break and have really come into my own.” 

Soon, Leasure’s mother—and maybe her cousin too—will have another graduation ceremony to attend: Leasure is on track to graduate this June with a transfer Associate of Arts degree. And she doesn’t plan to stop there: She’s planning to transfer to Washington State University Vancouver and earn her bachelor’s degree in business management. 

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

On March 7, while people around the world prepared to celebrate
International Women’s Day the next day, members of the local community gathered
in Gaiser Student Center to honor five women’s contributions to Southwest
Washington at the 2019 Iris Awards.

Guests enjoyed refreshments and light fare provided by
Beaches Restaurant as they celebrated the honorees. Ceremonies began with a
greeting from Clark College President Bob Knight, after which the evening was
turned over to emcee Colleen Boccia, chief marketing officer of Columbia Credit
Union. Boccia introduced speeches by both the honorees and their nominators.

This year’s Iris Award recipients were:

• Ann Fischer, founder of the Healthy Equitable Living Project
• Stacey Graham, president of the Humane Society for Southwest Washington
• Maureen Montague, executive director of Columbia Springs
• Rekah Strong, executive director of Educational Opportunities for Children and Families
• Lynn Valenter, vice chancellor for finance and operations at Washington State University Vancouver

This annual ceremony has a long tradition in this community.
The event began in 1985 as a photography exhibit during Women’s History Week,
which later developed into a larger awards program and ceremony known as the
Southwest Washington Women of Achievement Awards. In 2012, the event was
reintroduced as the Iris Awards with the same core mission: honoring the women
of Southwest Washington for their outstanding contributions in the categories
of public, private, philanthropic, and civic service.

Ann Fischer

The evening got off to an emotional start when Diane Irby
took to the podium to describe her experience being a client of the Healthy
Equitable Living Project, which Ann Fischer runs and founded.

“The pantry has fed my body quite well,” she said. “But the
pure unselfish love [Ann] provided me has fed my soul and my heart and was
something I didn’t even know I was starving for.

“The pantry keeps me alive,” Irby continued, facing Fischer
directly, “but you make me want to stay
alive.”

Fischer embraced Irby before beginning her own remarks,
which centered on the work that HELP does providing food to families in need at
14 different schools. She spoke about the importance of not just providing
people with food and assistance, but doing so in a way that allows them choice
and dignity, mentioning how HELP sets up its food pantry so that clients can “shop”
for the groceries they prefer instead of receiving a pre-made box. Fischer also
thanked the many volunteers and partners that support HELP, including Clark
College nursing students who volunteered to provide clients with education on hygiene
and first aid.

Fischer also made clear that it was not just the clients who
benefited from HELP, but she herself found inspiration and motivation from the
work. “The biggest gift you can give yourself is helping other people,” she
said.

Stacey Graham

The next honoree of the evening was Stacey Graham, president
of the Humane Society for Southwest Washington. Before coming to HSSW, Graham
had a long career that encompassed work in the Oregon State Legislature,
national public relations and advertising agencies, the United Way of
Columbia-Willamette, and First Independent Bank. When she joined HSSW in 2013,
she was charged with raising the level of awareness and visibility of the
Humane Society in the local community and animal welfare industry; and
dramatically increasing the save rate of the animals in care. Under her
leadership, HSSW launched a five-year, $6 million capital campaign. In 2018,
HSSW was named the Best Nonprofit in Clark County.

“I’ve been a volunteer with HSSW for 20 years,” said
nominator Debra Hentz. “One thing you see with people at humane societies is
they say, ‘We want to focus on the animals.’ Stacey really focused on the
people and building them up.”

Graham admitted that she wasn’t a born animal-lover. “I didn’t
grow up with animals,” she said. “The first time I walked into the kennels, I was
scared to death—that’s how I learned I was afraid of dogs. But I walked those
kennels every day, and I learned to love dogs.”

Graham noted that caring about animals is part of caring
about humanity, and noted that HSSW donated pet food to pantries like Ann
Fischer’s. “We know how much animals mean to people,” she said. “We know they
will give food to their animals before they feed themselves. So we’re hanging
in there with you.”

Maureen Montague

The next award presented was the H-RoC Iris Award, a special
category created in 2017 to honor women in the community who have promoted
civil discourse, teamwork, collaboration, and cooperation. H-RoC, a
non-partisan political action committee dedicated to the advancement of elected
and appointed female leaders in Southwest Washington, sponsors this annual
award.

H-RoC member (and 2016 Iris Award recipient) Heidi Johnson
Bixby introduced honoree Maureen Montague. Montague currently serves as the
executive director of Columbia Springs, an environmental education nonprofit and
protected urban natural area on the Old Evergreen Highway in Vancouver. Previous
to this position, she was the co-founder and eventual executive director of
North Bank Artists.

Johnson Bixby described Montague as “the first to raise her
hand to volunteer” and someone with a gift for collaboration and
community-building.

Like most of the night’s honorees, Montague said she learned
the value of community service from her family. She recalled watching her
grandmother sewing a quilt with fellow church members to donate to a recently
widowed woman to keep her warm during the winter, and feeling “the kindness of
that good deed in my heart.”

“Community service, to me, means collective kindness,” she
said. “These things add up. … I’m blessed to live in Clark County, where so
many people seem to understand this.”

Rekah Strong

The next honoree of the night was also nominated by a former
honoree. Jada Rupley, 2004 Women of Achievement Award recipient, introduced
Rekah Strong by noting that they currently served together on the Clark College
Board of Trustees. She praised Strong for her dedication to the community,
saying, “Thank you for being a gentle teacher, thank you for being a fierce
advocate, and thank you for changing our community.”

Strong is executive director of Educational Opportunities
for Children and Families. Prior to that position, she served in leadership
roles at the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette and at Clark County. Along
with her work on the Clark College Board of Trustees, she serves on Clark
County’s Developmental Disability Advisory Board and is a former board member
of We Reign Youth Foundation and Southwest Washington Chapter Red Cross.

Strong spoke about her experiences as a young child
attending political events with her grandmother and mother, drawing with
crayons and not entirely understanding why she was there, but even so learning
the importance of public engagement. “What my grandmother was doing for me was
pouring into me, and creating a template for me that would come full circle in
my life,” she said.

Strong also noted a theme that arose from her experiences: “Small
yesses can have huge outcomes.” As examples, she offered the time she said yes
to an employee who needed to bring her baby to work, which led to a program
that served a dozen employees and became a model for other workplaces. Another “small
yes” was agreeing to speak at an open forum about Clark County’s system of
governance, which in turn led to her becoming part of the work group that
changed the county’s Freeholder process and expanded the Clark County Council.

Strong also recounted providing her own children with
crayons as she took them to public meetings—and how, years later, her daughter
would volunteer to visit the State Capitol to advocate for others.

“You never know the ultimate outcome of modeling for others,
of pouring into other people, and all those small yesses,” she said.

Lynn Valenter

The final honoree of the night was Lynn Valenter, vice
chancellor for finance and operations at Washington State University Vancouver.
Valenter, who began her career at WSUV more than 20 years ago, now leads a
range of functions including budget and accounting, capital planning,
facilities operations, human resources, public safety, and dining services.

Valenter was introduced by WSUV Chief of Staff Renee
Bartocci, who expressed her appreciation for her colleague’s work ethic and
enthusiasm. “She’s there to be a partner, to bounce ideas off of, and to ask
the hard questions,” Bartocci said. “And she’s really good at it.”

Valenter thanked her family for supporting her work—both in
her career and as a volunteer—acknowledging the difficulty women face when they
try to manage the obligations of their families with those of their workplaces
and communities. “For many, many years, the daily prayer was for balance,” she
said. Even so, she said the balancing act was worth it.

“I believe each of us finds satisfaction when we make a difference,” she said. “That can be in your family, in your work, and in your community.”

To view more photos from the event visit our Flickr page.

Clark County is experiencing an outbreak of measles. While the college has not identified any confirmed cases on campus at this time, we want to prepare our community members in the most proactive manner possible, and let you know about the steps you can take to protect yourself, your loved ones, and the Clark College community.

As of today, the current number of confirmed cases in Clark County is reported to be 63. On January 25, Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency in all counties. 

• Recommendations from the Clark County Department of Public Health 
• What would happen if a confirmed case of measles was discovered at Clark College 
• If you are exposed to measles elsewhere 
• How to stay informed 

Recommendations

Here are recommendations from the Clark County Department of Public Health: 

• Locate your vaccination records – specifically for MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) 
  • This may include documentation of blood titer tests (proving immunity) 
  • If you are unsure of your vaccination status, contact your health provider 
• If you are not protected, get the MMR vaccination as soon as possible. While not perfect, a single dose of the vaccine is 93 percent effective in protecting against measles; two doses are 97 percent effective. Importantly, getting even just the first dose of the vaccine now will prevent you from being excluded from the college, should a measles case be discovered here. 
  • Those with health insurance should check with their health care provider to learn if your plan covers the cost of vaccines.  
  • Students can get the vaccine at cost ($70 per dose) at our Counseling and Health Center in the Health Sciences Building (HSC) room 124. If cost is a concern, please contact the Counseling and Health Center to discuss available options. 
• Stay home if you are sick; pay attention to fevers 
  • Symptoms of measles are: 
    • Runny nose 
    • Coughing 
    • Conjunctivitis (red, itchy eyes) 
    • Fever 
    • Rash 
  • Most of these symptoms may begin before the rash, and you are contagious as soon as any of these symptoms begin 
• If you believe you may have measles symptoms, or develop symptoms: 
  • Stay home 
  • Avoid public spaces if possible 
  • Call your doctor (do not sit in waiting rooms) 
• If you have questions about vaccine efficacy or your own personal health risks, please contact your health care provider for advice. 

If measles is discovered at Clark College 

While there are still no confirmed cases at Clark College at this time, the outbreak’s spread does bring up the question of what would happen if a case was discovered here. 

If a case of measles was confirmed at a college location, Clark County Public Health could determine that any individual who was exposed and could not prove immunity would be excluded from the college for up to 21 days. (This process is called an “exclusion.”)  The college is working on details regarding how to keep students subject to an exclusion in class remotely (where appropriate) and how employees would report leave. However, the most effective way to prevent being part of an exclusion is to proactively find your record of immunity and, if you do not have immunity, to get vaccinated as soon as possible. (See Recommendations section above for more information.) 

If you are exposed to measles outside of Clark College 

Any individual who has been notified that they are part of a measles-exposure exclusion and who does not have documented proof of immunity to measles should consult with their health care provider for guidance. Students who do not have a health care provider may contact the college’s Counseling and Health Center. 

If a measles-exposure exclusion prevents someone from visiting Clark College locations, they should alert their instructor and/or supervisor. The college is examining options to allow excluded individuals to continue their studies and/or employment during an exclusion. 

How to stay informed 

If Clark College is notified of a confirmed case of measles at a college location, further communication will be shared via your Clark College email account. Depending on advice from Clark County Public Health, the college may also send alerts via our RAVE Alert system, the college’s home page, and our Alerts web page.

Anyone
with questions about measles infection or the measles vaccine should call their
primary care provider or their local county health department:

• Clark County Public Health, 360.397.8021
• Skamania County Public Health, 509.427.3850
• Klickitat County Public Health, 509.773.4565
• Multnomah County Public Health, 503.988.3406
• Washington County Public Health, 503.846.3594
• Clackamas County Public Health, 503.655.8411

Some helpful links with
more information

Clark County Public Health Latest Measles Updates:

https://www.clark.wa.gov/public-health/measles-investigation

Measles Basic Info Sheet
(available in multiple languages):

https://www.clark.wa.gov/sites/default/files/dept/files/public-health/CD/Resources/Measles_Basic_Info_english.pdf

CDC Measles FAQs:

https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/faqs.html#am

This article will continue to be updated as the college receives new information. It was last updated on Feb. 21, 2019. 

High
school students and their families have an opportunity to attend a free Running
Start Information Night at Clark College on Wednesday, March 13, from 7:00-8:00
p.m. in the O’Connell Sports Center gymnasium on Clark’s main campus.

The
information session, which outlines the process for entering the Running Start
program in fall 2019, is open to the public with no registration required.
Attendance is optional but encouraged as attendees will hear from Running Start
participants and learn about the program’s eligibility criteria, benefits, and
more. 

Running
Start allows eligible juniors and seniors to earn college credit while
fulfilling their high school graduation requirements. Participants in the
Running Start program attend Clark classes alongside the general college
population. They can choose from a full range of academic and professional and
technical courses, as
long as the students meet the criteria
and the classes are college-level. 

The
program, which can significantly reduce the cost of a four-year college degree,
has proven popular in Southwest Washington. In addition to the potential cost
savings offered through participating in the program, Running Start also
provides an opportunity for students to challenge themselves academically.

According
to Christina Smith, an instructor in Clark’s Department of English, there are a number of qualities that Running Start students can
foster in order to successfully navigate the college environment. “Curiosity, deep desire to learn, and willingness to
ask questions in and out of class—these are the traits and skills that lead to
success in college,” said Smith.

Reid Brown, a current Running Start student, emphasized that
frequent communication with professors can be helpful, along with utilizing
services such as tutoring and meeting with advisors. “The environment at Clark
is very inviting to young students and there are many resources available to
help them with the transition into the college community,” said Brown. 

With
careful planning and dedication, some Running Start students earn their
associate degree from Clark by the time they complete high school. One such
student is Maria DeBartolo, who will graduate this
June with her high school diploma and an associate degree in Nursing from
Clark. “I will be ready to enter a nursing program, which is something that I
never thought I would be able to do at 17 years old,” she said. 

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

Clark
College is located at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way in Vancouver, Wash. Parking will
be available in the college’s Red lots on the east side of Fort Vancouver Way
and in the Purple Lot on the west side of Fort Vancouver Way. Driving
directions and parking maps are available at www.clark.edu/maps. 

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), or visit Penguin Union Building (PUB) room 013, 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 360-992-2366.

Five women representing
exceptional leadership, philanthropy and community service are the winners of
the 2019 Iris Awards, honoring women of achievement in Southwest Washington.
They will be recognized at an awards reception on Thursday, March 7.

Awards
will be presented to Ann Fischer, founder of the Healthy Equitable Living
Project; Stacey Graham, president of the Humane Society for Southwest
Washington; Rekah Strong, executive director of Educational Opportunities for
Children and Families; and Lynn Valenter, vice chancellor for finance and
operations at Washington State University Vancouver. H-RoC, a non-partisan
political action committee dedicated to the advancement of elected and
appointed female leaders in Southwest Washington, has chosen Columbia Springs Executive
Director Maureen Montague for the Iris Award they sponsor.

The
award ceremony takes place in Gaiser Student Center on Clark College’s main
campus. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the ceremony begins at 6:00 p.m. The event
is open to the public and tickets are on sale through the Greater Vancouver
Chamber of Commerce at https://www.vancouverusa.com/events/details/2019-iris-awards-reception-18904. The cost
is $35 per person. A table sponsorship, which includes eight tickets, can be
purchased for $310. Seating is limited. 

Clark College is located at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver. Driving
directions and parking maps are available at www.clark.edu/maps. 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), or visit Penguin Union Building room
013, by February 26.

About the Iris Awards

The
Iris Awards follow in the tradition of the Southwest Washington Women of
Achievement Awards, which began in 1985 at Clark College. In 2012, the event
was reintroduced as the Iris Awards, still celebrated on or around
International Women’s Day (March 8) and with the same core mission: honoring
the lasting and far-reaching contributions of women in Southwest Washington and
beyond.

This
year’s awards are sponsored by Clark College, the Clark College Foundation,
the Vancouver Business Journal, the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce,
and H-RoC.

The 2019 Iris Award Honorees

Ann Fischer

Ann Fischer is the founder of
the Healthy Equitable Living Project (HELP), a food pantry located at the First
Presbyterian Church in Vancouver. HELP was launched in 2013, when the Vancouver
Health Department asked if the church could assist local schools in serving
families who were experiencing food insecurity. Fischer began by soliciting
donations from neighborhood grocery stores to help five families. Over the past
six years, HELP has expanded to serve between 50 and 60 families from 14
different schools.

Through the food pantry,
Fischer makes sure people are not only fed, but fed well. Fischer hand-selects
many of the products that the pantry offers, with a focus on high-quality,
nutritious, and organic foods. It is not unusual for Fischer to remember
individual patrons’ specific dietary needs, from vegan to gluten-free. She also
created the pantry’s Breakfast Club, where families are served a hot breakfast
while they wait to shop, giving them a chance to build community and
friendships.

Fischer has a long record of service in the community, ranging from supporting her local church to organizing fundraisers for children’s organizations. For 25 years, she ran an antique shop called Turnabout that offered assistance to people who were transitioning their living situations.

Stacey Graham

Stacey Graham has served as president
of the Humane Society for Southwest Washington (HSSW) since 2013. Graham’s
career spans 40 years leading for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Her
wide-ranging work experience includes positions in the Oregon Legislature
and Oregon Governor’s Office, as well as key roles in public
relations and advertising agencies, the United Way of the
Columbia-Willamette, and the Vancouver-based First Independent Bank. 

Graham joined the HSSW team
charged with creating a sustainable and effective business model; raising the
level of awareness and visibility of the Humane Society in the local community
and animal welfare industry; and dramatically increasing the save rate of the
animals in care. Under her leadership, HSSW launched
a five-year, $6 million capital campaign. In 2018, HSSW was named the Best
Nonprofit in Clark County. 

Graham’s community service
includes serving as city council president in her hometown of Stayton,
Oregon; on the boards of the Clark County YWCA, The Historic Trust, the
Lighthouse Community Credit Union, Nonprofit Network of Southwest
Washington, Metropolitan Family Service, Northwest Pilot Project, Portland
Radio Project and H-RoC; and on the Empower Women + Girls steering committee. Graham
has helped develop strategic plans for many local nonprofits, including North
County Community Food Bank, Vancouver Symphony, Partners in Careers, Clark
County Arts Commission and Pink Lemonade.

Rekah Strong

Rekah Strong is a highly
accomplished public and non-profit executive. She currently serves as the executive
director for Educational Opportunities for Children and Families (EOCF), the
largest early learning organization in Southwest Washington.

Prior to this position,
Strong served as chief of operations and equity officer for the United Way of
the Columbia-Willamette and chief diversity and inclusion officer for Clark County.
Earlier in her career, Strong spent more than a decade working for the State of
Oregon to improve outcomes for children and families in Oregon’s child welfare
system. 

Strong has a long record of public service and community involvement in Southwest Washington. During her tenure with Clark County, she helped lay the initial framework and push for the Clark County Freeholder process and expansion of the Clark County Council. More recently, she was reappointed by Governor Jay Inslee to serve as a Clark College trustee and actively advocates for education. She was also recently selected as the newest board member of Clark County’s Developmental Disability Advisory Board, and has served on the boards of We Reign Youth Foundation and Southwest Washington Chapter Red Cross.

A Clark College alumna,
Strong earned her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and master’s degree in
Social Work from Portland State University. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D.
in Social Work Research. 

Lynn Valenter

As the vice chancellor for finance
and operations at Washington State University Vancouver, Lynn Valenter leads a
range of functions including budget and accounting, capital planning, dining
services, facilities operations, human resources and public safety. She began her
career at WSU Vancouver more than 20 years ago, holding roles as facilities and
auxiliary services manager and director of finance and operations before being
named as vice chancellor in 2015. Valenter has been instrumental in increasing
WSU Vancouver’s public engagement and service during an important period in the
campus’s growth.

Valenter’s engaged,
enthusiastic, and equitable leadership style has been of service to both the
university and the local community. As an active member of Empower, she
supports initiatives that help local girls and women, and she is a frequent
volunteer with Winter Hospitality Overflow, an organization that helps people
in need during the winter months. Her board service includes Camas Civil
Service, Institute for Metropolitan Studies at Portland State University,
Columbia Credit Union, H-RoC, Greater Portland Inc., and the Columbia River
Economic Development Council. In 2016, Valenter was honored by the Portland Business Journal as a part of
their Women of Influence in the nonprofit category.

Maureen Montague

It is no exaggeration to say
that Maureen Montague has been involved in the Southwest Washington region her
entire life. A graduate of Hudson’s Bay High School, she returned to Vancouver
after earning her bachelor’s degree from Lewis and Clark College in Portland
and began working for Janus Youth Programs, serving at-risk youth in a shelter
setting.

After leaving her job to
become a stay-at-home mother, Montague remained deeply involved in her
community. A visual artist and a published writer, she volunteered at local
arts nonprofits and was a founding member of North Bank Artists. These
activities gave her experience with grant-writing and collaborating with
partner organizations on events, skills that would become useful in her
developing career. Additionally, her writing skills led her to be recruited to
serve on the digital team for President Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election
campaign.

In 2013, Montague was hired
as the executive director of North Bank Artists, where she organized the
Vancouver Arts District with community partners. In 2016, she was named the
executive director of Columbia Springs, an environmental education nonprofit
and protected urban natural area on the Old Evergreen Highway in Vancouver. Her
work is focused on financial sustainability, program development, and
improvement of all community services.

Clark College Theatre continues its 2018-2019 season with the 2012 revamped version of the musical Godspell.

Godspell 2012 is a masterful retelling of the original musical sensation, injected with contemporary references and dazzling new arrangements. It was the first major musical theatre offering from three-time Grammy and Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Children of Eden), and it took the world by storm. A small group of people help Jesus Christ tell different parables by using a wide variety of games, storytelling techniques, and a hefty dose of comic timing. An eclectic blend of songs, ranging in style from pop to vaudeville, is employed as the story of Jesus’ life dances across the stage.

The cast includes: Jacqueline Baxter, Andrew Hallas, Sammy Williams*, Breanna Kurth, Christina Taft**, Moe Lewis, Danielle Neblock*, Michelle Eussen **, Colin Smith* and Janoah Stegall*. The director is H. Gene Biby and April Brookins Duvic provides vocal direction. Note: Cast member names marked with a single asterisk are current Clark College students; double asterisks indicate Clark College alumni.

Show Dates: Feb. 22 and 23, March 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9. All show times are at 7:30 p.m. in the Decker Theatre, Frost Arts Center, on Clark College’s main campus.

Ticket Information: Students (with ID) $10; Alumni (with membership) $10; Senior Citizens $16; General Admission $20. Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.clarkbookstore.com/site_theatre.asp, or call 360-992-2815. View the entire Clark College Theatre season at www.clark.edu/cc/theatre.

For more photos of the show, visit Clark’s Flickr album.

If you need accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event, contact Clark College’s Disability Support Services Office at 360-992-2314 or 360-991-0901 (VP), or visit Gaiser Hall room 137, as soon as possible.