Jane Jacobsen

Jane Jacobsen has been appointed to the Clark College Board of Trustees by Gov. Jay Inslee. Her term began February 23 and ends September 30, 2019.

“I am thrilled and honored to have been named a trustee of Clark College,” said Jacobsen. “It is an integral part of our community and essential for an increasing number of students.”

A resident of Vancouver for the past 27 years, Jacobsen has long been an influential presence in the Pacific Northwest. She was the founding executive director of the Confluence Project (now known simply as Confluence), which creates educational art installations in Washington and Oregon that connect people with places. Jacobsen led that organization for 12 years and now serves as its board treasurer.

Jacobsen was instrumental in bringing nationally recognized speakers to Vancouver’s Marshall Lecture Series, including Bill Richardson, Madeline Albright and Tom Brokaw. Jacobsen has also co-developed programs and exhibits to celebrate the history of the Pacific Northwest through folk art. In 2001, Washington State Governor Gary Locke appointed Jacobsen to a four-year term as one of 13 commissioners on the Columbia Gorge Commission, which oversees the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act.

Currently, Jacobsen is a private consultant for a waterfront development project in downtown Vancouver. She is also board president of Friends of Fort Vancouver and serves on the Columbia Land Trust’s advisory board and development committee, as well as on The Children’s Center’s advisory board. She lives in Vancouver with her husband, Paul; they have two grown sons.

Jacobsen earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas and her Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Vermont. She fills the vacancy left by Mike Ciraulo, who left his position at Clark County Fire & Rescue in September to become chief of the Pendleton (Oregon) Fire Department.

Jacobsen joins other trustees Vancouver City Councilor Jack Burkman; Royce Pollard, who served as mayor of Vancouver for 14 years; Jada Rupley, administrator consultant and former educator; and Rekah Strong, chief of operations and equity at United Way of the Columbia-Willamette in Portland.

Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Pfc. Jessica Lynch will address Clark College’s Class of 2016. Lynch was taken prisoner during the Iraq war and was held for over a week before being rescued by U.S. Special Forces. REUTERS/Blake Sell

Former prisoner of war Jessica Lynch will share her experiences overcoming obstacles and her belief in the important role of education with the Clark College Class of 2016 as the college’s Commencement keynote speaker on June 16.

“Jessica Lynch is a wonderful example of how strength of character can help people survive the hardest of situations,” said Clark College President Robert K. Knight. “I believe she will make a strong connection with our students.”

Clark College’s Commencement ceremony is scheduled to be held on the evening of June 16 in Sunlight Supply Amphitheater. Tickets are not required to attend.

About Jessica Lynch

Jessica Lynch is a former Private First Class (PFC) in the United States Army and a former prisoner of war. On March 23, 2003, she was injured and captured by Iraqi forces after her unit was ambushed in Iraq. She was rescued after nine days in captivity on April 1, 2003, by U.S. special operations forces. Lynch’s rescue was the first successful rescue of an American POW since World War II.

Today, Lynch speaks to various groups around the United States about overcoming her obstacles and how perseverance helped her survive. Lynch further explains that despite the most difficult circumstances – whatever they might be – a positive outlook and determination can truly help individuals live fulfilling lives and accomplish their goals.

Lynch has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and a Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies. In 2014, she toured the U.S. promoting Virtuous, a faith-based movie by JC Films. She recently filmed her second faith-based movie titled One Church and will be filming her third movie in March 2015.

Lynch has appeared on Good Morning America, Today Show, CBS Morning Show, Huckabee Show, CNN, MSNBC, David Letterman Show, Fox, Prime Time on ABC with Dianne Sawyer, E News!, CBN, and various local networks throughout the country. She has appeared on the cover of numerous magazines such as TIME and People. She has been named West Virginian of the Year as well as Glamour’s Woman of the Year.

Qi Wu and Tammy Senior are Clark College’s representatives to the 2016 All-Washington Academic Team.

Two outstanding Clark College students were selected to attend the 2016 All-Washington Academic Team Recognition Ceremony, held on March 24 at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia, Washington. Tammy Senior and Qi Wu are two of just 66 students from community and technical colleges across the state to receive this honor, which recognizes students for their academic excellence and service to the community.

At first glance, Senior and Wu don’t seem terribly similar. One is young even by the standards of Running Start, a program that allows high schoolers to take college courses; the other is coming back to college after serving four years in the military. One has spent her whole life in Vancouver; the other has lived in more countries than she can count on one hand.

But on closer inspection, certain parallels become clear between the two young women: They’re both fascinated by science and technology. They both are driven students who make time in their busy schedules to serve their communities. Both have had to challenge others’ assumptions and figuring out creative ways to get around obstacles in their educational journeys. And so far, both are succeeding impressively.

Clark student Qi Wu stands before the college’s new STEM Building, slated to open in fall 2016.

Wu’s obstacles began surfacing when she and her mother emigrated from China to the United States. Wu, then a sophomore in high school, struggled to maintain her grades while learning a new language in a new culture. She also found herself confronting gender stereotypes, as classmates and teachers assumed she would be more interested in subjects like art and the humanities instead of math and science.

“When I was growing up, I was always better in physics and chemistry,” she said. “I like numbers, I like logic. When I came to Clark and took my first engineering course, it was like, ‘Wow, this is where I belong!’”

However, soon a new hurdle appeared. Wu, whose mother had remarried and had another child, realized her family could not afford to pay for her college education. Hoping to support herself, she enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2010 as an aviation mechanic, and took every opportunity to earn educational credits and develop new skills—despite the doubts some had of the petite young woman’s abilities.

“When I got transferred to Japan, my supervisor told me, ‘Well, you can do the desk job here, because you’re a girl,’” Wu recalled. “And I said, ‘No. I want to do the job I trained for.’”

Wu said that overall, she’s grateful for the opportunities the military provided her to travel and learn skills that will help in her electrical engineering career. She’s currently receiving scholarships from Clark, which allows her to save her military education benefits for the more-expensive, four-year institutions she hopes to attend one day to earn her master’s degree. She also works in Clark’s scholarship office herself, and spends weekends training as a Naval Reservist.

Clark student Tammy Senior says she’s been impressed by how welcoming the college was to her, even when she took her first class at age 14.

Like Wu, Senior’s challenges also began in high school, but they were of a different nature: She felt stifled. “I wasn’t being challenged enough,” she recalls. “I took a class at Clark and found it so much better.”

Senior’s family couldn’t afford to pay for a full load of college classes out of pocket, and when the 14-year-old visited Clark’s scholarship office, she discovered she was too young to qualify for financial aid or scholarship opportunities. Then, the scholarship staff offered a new possibility: Perhaps Senior could enroll in Running Start, the Washington State program that allows eligible high school juniors and seniors to take college classes tuition-free. The only problem was that Senior was still a freshman. She wound up skipping the 10th grade in order to qualify, enrolling at Clark as a full-time student at age15.

“It was definitely interesting,” Senior, now 16 and set to graduate in the spring, said with a grin. “But Clark’s pretty welcoming, and I really thrived in the community here.”

Senior has maintained a 4.0 GPA while taking classes in Clark’s challenging Honors Program, volunteering with her church, teaching private music lessons, and serving as the vice president of leadership for Clark’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges. She’ll be 17 when she enters a university—potentially with junior standing, depending on where she attends.

“People ask me, ‘Why don’t you enjoy your high school years?’” Senior said. “But I’m a planner. I think ahead. My mother wasn’t able to finish school because she started a family. I know I have a lot of school ahead of me, and this is a way to speed things up.”

Senior hopes to become a neurologist, a goal developed when her beloved grandmother suffered a series of debilitating strokes in 2014. Like Wu, Senior faced some skepticism about her ambitions.

“When I tell people I want to pursue a career in neurology, sometimes they look at me strangely and say, ‘Oh, why don’t you go into nursing, so you have time for a family?’” she said. “But I know I can do it. I can have a family. I can have the career of my choice. I just have to work hard. And you know, they would never tell a male student that.”

Both students say they appreciate the support they’ve found at Clark. “I like the diversity here,” says Wu, a first-generation college student. “Engineering professor Izad [Khormae] is from Iran. My physics teacher is from Russia. I think half the STEM faculty are women. And then in my classes I’ve met a few other veterans. You get so many different experiences here, different cultures.”

Wu and Senior were honored for their achievements at the All-Washington Academic Team induction ceremony on March 24, 2016, in Olympia, where Gov. Jay Inslee was the keynote speaker. The All-Washington Academic Team is a program of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of two-year colleges. Team members are eligible for numerous scholarships, including transfer scholarships at most four-year universities in the state.

“It is such an honor,” said Senior, sitting with Wu during a break between classes.

“It’s nice for your hard work to be recognized,” adds Wu.

“Yes, you feel like your hard work is finally paying off,” said Senior.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Former President Bill Clinton speaking at Clark College.

Normally, the first day of spring break on Clark College’s main campus feels like the calm after the storm. The parking lots are empty, faculty and students are home recovering from finals, and some offices are closed or on reduced hours. But on March 21, the campus swirled with activity after the Sunday announcement that former U.S. President Bill Clinton would be speaking in Gaiser Student Center that Monday evening.

Clinton was stumping in support of his wife’s 2016 presidential campaign, which had rented the college’s facilities for his appearance. He also appeared at Spokane Falls Community College and at Portland, Oregon’s Powell Books during the day as part of a whirlwind tour of Washington and Oregon in advance of Washington’s Saturday primary caucuses.

Lines began forming in the early afternoon for Clinton’s scheduled 5 p.m. appearance. By 3:30, the line stretched down the stairs on the south side of the Penguin Union Building and around the north walkway of Hanna Hall. In total, about 750 people crowded into Gaiser Student Center, with another 150 packed into PUB 161 to watch the speech as a live stream.

Former President Bill Clinton addressed a packed Gaiser Student Center during a campaign stop for his wife’s 2016 presidential bid.

While the bulk of the 42nd President of the United States’ speech concerned why his wife should be the 45th president, he did also touch on subjects relating to Clark College. “Look at this institution where we are right now,” he said, gesturing to the walls of Gaiser. “If America worked the way community colleges did, we’d have a lot fewer problems. It’s open to everybody. It’s constantly changing to adapt to the future. … It’s about creating a future where everybody has a chance.”

Clinton also emphasized the economic importance of increasing the amount of advanced manufacturing in the U.S., saying, “It’s the most productive part of every economy.” Clark College is currently planning a new facility teaching advanced manufacturing skills at its future location in Ridgefield, Clark College at Boschma Farms.

Clinton’s hour-long speech touched on access to higher education as well. “Every bit as much as a house, a degree is a lifetime asset,” he said, prompting cheers from a crowd that contained many Clark College students and employees.

This was a busy week for Vancouver. On Sunday, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders spoke to a crowd of approximately 8,000 at Hudson’s Bay High School, just across the street from Clark.

Photos: Clark College/Wei Zhuang

Renee Newman returned as this year’s program emcee.

On March 9, community members gathered in Gaiser Student Center to celebrate three outstanding women for their dedication to Southwest Washington. The 2016 Iris Awards ceremony honored Vancouver City Councilmember Anne McEnerny-Ogle; Katherine Garrett, the Housing First Program Director at Lincoln Place; and Heidi M. Johnson Bixby, owner of Johnson Bixby & Associates.

This annual recognition of Southwest Washington women has a long tradition in this community. The event began in 1985 at Clark College as a photography exhibit during Women’s History Week. Over the years, it developed into a larger awards program and ceremony called the Southwest Washington Women of Achievement Awards. In 2012, the Iris Awards were introduced with the same focus as previous events: celebrating the lasting and far-reaching contributions of women in the community.

The 2016 Iris Award Recipients

Katherine Garrett

Katherine Garrett, left, with her nominator, Vancouver’s Downtown Association Executive Director Lee Rafferty.

The first woman to be honored during the evening was longtime advocate for the homeless Katherine Garrett, who recently moved from the Vancouver nonprofit Share to the housing program Lincoln Place. During her 14 years at Share—nine of which were spent leading the Share House and Share Outreach programs—Garrett helped transform the organization into one of the major voices for the homeless in Clark County. In her new leadership position at Lincoln Place, a permanent supportive housing program for chronically homeless individuals, she serves as the Housing First Program Director.

Garrett has served as both a strong advocate for the homeless in Clark County and as a liaison  between that population and the local business community, working with the Safety Committee of Vancouver’s Downtown Association to help resolve concerns. As the issue of homelessness has gained prominence in recent months, Garrett has been at the forefront of helping city leaders and others understand the issues and make good policy decisions.

“Fourteen years ago, I was given the tremendous opportunity to make a difference each day in the lives of those who are hungry, homeless, and in need of a hand up,” said Garrett as she thanked all those who have supported her throughout her career. “If my work has somehow made people’s lives a little better, then I feel it’s been a success. I would be extremely happy if the outcome of receiving this wonderful award was that others are inspired to make a difference in the lives of the hungry and the homeless of our community. Just one positive action can have a ripple effect.”

Anne McEnerny-Ogle

Anne McEnerny-Ogle, left, with her nominator and fellow Councilmember Jack Burkman.

Second to be recognized was Vancouver City Councilmember Anne McEnerny-Ogle, who came to the Vancouver City Council after a 30-year career as an educator during which she received the Milken Foundation Educator Award and was chosen as Oregon Math Teacher of the Year. She serves on a diverse number of boards and is an active volunteer in a number of organizations in Southwest Washington.

Beyond her work on the City Council, which includes the role of Mayor Pro Tem, McEnerny-Ogle is the Chair of the C-Tran Board of Directors, a member of the Regional Transportation Council Board of Directors, and the Vice-Chair of the Clark County Historical Museum. McEnerny-Ogle also serves as Chair for the Fort Vancouver District for the Boy Scouts of America.

As her nomination stated, there are very few volunteer organizations in Southwest Washington that have not benefitted from McEnerny-Ogle’s energy, enthusiasm, and leadership, though she has frequently focused on issues particularly important to women and underrepresented groups. She has worked with the League of Women Voters to help educate the community on important issues and elections, and on the Community Military Appreciation Committee in support of veterans and their families. She is a Leadership Clark County graduate and alumni award winner.

“It’s incredible to look out into the audience into the eyes of so many people who work tirelessly for their community,” stated McEnerny-Ogle as she took the stage to accept her award. “Women’s lives today represent a rainbow of opportunities. Sometimes we clearly understand where we are going, and sometimes we are in the middle of something we never expected.

I deeply appreciate this award and your acknowledgment of my work. I’m having a lot of fun. I am so blessed.”

Heidi Johnson Bixby

Heidi Johnson Bixby, left, with her nominator and last year’s Iris Award winner Lisa Schauer.

Heidi Johnson Bixby was the final honoree of the evening, receiving an award in a brand-new category. The new Iris Legacy Award recognizes the many women who have continued to make a difference in our community and create a lasting legacy since receiving their initial Iris or Woman of Achievement award. Since 1985, the Iris and Women of Achievement awards have been bestowed on more than 200 women in Southwest Washington.

Bixby is owner of Johnson Bixby & Associates, a comprehensive financial planning firm with locations in Vancouver and Longview. She received a Women of Achievement award in 2004 for her community involvement and business leadership. Beyond her success as a business owner, Bixby serves the community in a variety of roles. She is currently chairs the Board of Directors for Columbia Springs, which provides over 5,000 kids and adults annually with the opportunity to get outdoors and to learn more about the natural world.

Bixby also supports ARC of Southwest Washington, where she and her team have made gift-wrapping of donated items an annual tradition. She is the treasurer for H-RoC and Global Sojourns Giving Circle. Other organizations Bixby supports with her time and resources include Vancouver’s Downtown Association, Community Home Health & Hospice, Identity Clark County, the Nonprofit Network of Southwest Washington, the Clark County Skills Center, and Children’s Center. In addition to her involvement in the community and business accomplishments, Bixby is a world traveler and photographer who has visited more than 30 countries.

“It’s incredible to be the first recipient of this award. It means a lot to me because I do what I love,” said Bixby as she received the Legacy Award. “I’ve lived in Vancouver for nearly 40 years. To me, it is more than where I live. It is my family. It is a piece of me. And I wholeheartedly love giving back. If I can inspire and pass on even a fraction of what has been passed down to me, I’ll be happy to keep the ripple effect going.”

New sponsor and new award

Also new this year was the addition of H-RoC as a sponsor of the Iris Awards. H-RoC was formed in mid-2011 as an independent, non-partisan political action committee specifically to advance women leaders in Southwest Washington. Following this mission, H-RoC announced the addition of another new Iris Award category for 2017 that will honor women who currently serve or have served in public office.

Nominations for the 2017 Iris Awards will open this fall. Anyone may nominate a woman making a difference in one of four areas: service in the public sector, service in the private sector, philanthropic leadership, and service in public office. Up to four Iris Awards may be presented annually. One recipient may be selected in each of four areas. Anyone may submit a nomination. More than one person may submit a nomination for the same nominee or provide letters of recommendation.

For more information about the Iris Awards, visit clark.edu/cc/irisawards.

View photos from the event on our Flickr page.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

The Hillary Clinton For President Campaign is renting the Gaiser Student Center for a “Get Out The Caucus” rally at 5 p.m. tonight, March 21, 2016. Former President Bill Clinton is the featured speaker.

The rally is free and open to the public, but those interested in attending must register at: www.hillaryclinton.com/events/view/2253825. Because this is not a Clark College sponsored event, there will not be access for Clark students, faculty, or staff except through the campaign registration site.

Doors will open at 4:15 p.m., and the only doors used during the event will be the south doors into Gaiser just outside of PUB 161.

The area around PUB 161 will be closed at 3 p.m. No entry into Gaiser Student Center will be permitted after that. Offices will be unaffected, but no entry will be permitted through the doors into Gaiser Hall, so please plan accordingly.

Thirteen outstanding educators are the newest members of the tenured faculty at Clark College. Dr. Roberto Anitori (biology), Kushlani de Soyza (women’s studies), Dee Anne Finken (journalism), Grant Hottle (art), Garrett Hoyt (health and physical education), Drew Johnson (business technology), Kenneth Luchini (mechatronics), Sarah Luther (mathematics), Dr. Mika Maruyama (psychology), Heather McAfee (geography), Natalie Miles (transitional studies language arts), Erin Schoenlein (transitional studies math), and Caleb White (welding) were all granted tenure during the Clark College Board of Trustees meeting on March 16.

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.

“Tenure is an important moment for both faculty and the college,” said Dr. Tim Cook, Vice President of Instruction. “For the faculty, this shows the college’s confidence in their skills and dedication; for the college, these faculty will help develop Clark’s curriculum and character for many years to come. I’m happy to congratulate these talented and passionate educators and I look forward to watching them help shape our college community.”

Dr. Roberto Anitori, Biology

After earning both his bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in Molecular Biology and Microbiology from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, Dr. Roberto Anitori worked in research labs at Macquarie University in Sydney and at Oregon Health and Science University. He has extensive experience researching “extremophiles,” microbes that have adapted to survive in environments where most living things could not. He has researched extremophiles in Antartica, volcanoes, deep-sea vents, underground water tables, deserts, and radioactive hot springs. He has been invited to lecture by organizations including the Australian Society for Microbiology, the Geological Society of Australia, and NASA. In 2011, he received the Antarctica Service Medal from the National Science Foundation. Dr. Anitori began teaching microbiology at Clark in 2008. He is the editor of the book Extremophiles: Microbiology and Biotechnology (2012, Horizon Press).

At Clark, Dr. Anitori serves as the faculty co-lead for undergraduate research-based student activities, and the lead instructor for microbiology. He also participated in the college’s Faculty Speaker Series.

Dr. Anitori said, “I try to relate the material I teach to the real world, and also infuse my instruction with information from my more than two decades of scientific research experience.”

Kushlani de Soyza, Women’s Studies

Kushlani de Soyza earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University. She has a Master of Education degree in secondary education/English from the University of Cincinnati, a Master of Arts degree from Portland State University, and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Oregon State University. De Soyza has previous work experience at the Cincinnati Post, St. Xavier High School, University of Virginia, Oregon State University, and APA Compass Radio.

At Clark, de Soyza serves as chair of the Clark College Ann Virtu Snyder Women’s Studies Scholarship Committee.

“My goal as a teacher is to create a classroom experience where learners of all backgrounds can listen, learn, and express themselves in an atmosphere based on mutual respect,” she says. “The Women’s Studies classroom is a space where students work together to understand how systems of power, privilege and inequity apply to their own experiences and to the social, political, and cultural institutions that shape our lives.”

Dee Anne Finken, Journalism

Dee Anne Finken earned bachelor’s degrees in journalism and English from California State University and Washington State University. She has a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative non-fiction from Portland State University. Prior to teaching at Clark, Finken spent more than two decades as a print journalist.

Finken serves as the faculty advisor to Clark’s award-winning student news source, The Independent. She also leads the college’s journalism program and founded the college’s Student Media Advisory Committee.

“In teaching journalism, I hope to support students to become more thoughtful and engaged citizens of the wider world,” said Finken.

Grant Hottle, Art

Grant Hottle attended the Utrecht School of the Arts before earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the University of Oklahoma. He then went on to earn his master’s degree in painting and drawing from the University of Oregon. Hottle has previous work experience at the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, Lewis and Clark College, Marylhurst University, Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Colorado, Oregon College of Art and Craft, and Clark College.

Hottle serves as head of Clark College’s painting and foundations area, coordinating adjuncts and managing department curricula in drawing, painting, design, and color theory. He is a faculty advisor for the Clark College Art Club and a member of the Outcomes Assessment Committee. He also worked with an English faculty member to design a popular Integrated Learning Community on the “Craft of Comics.”

“My classes exist to empower each student’s strategy of personal expression and to awaken them to the role art can play in their development as professionals and as free-thinking adults,” said Hottle. “I focus on drawing and design fundamentals through a process-based understanding of materials while exposing students to the broader cultural relevance of art beyond the studio.”

Dr. Garrett Hoyt, Health and Physical Education

Dr. Garrett Hoyt earned his Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science from Brigham Young University and his Master of Science degree in exercise physiology from Colorado State University. He has a Ph.D. in exercise science/health promotion, also from Brigham Young University. He has previous work experience at Brigham Young University and the YMCA of Central Kentucky and is the founder and owner of Healthy Steps In-Home Personal Training.

Dr. Hoyt, who has taught at Clark since 2011, currently serves on its Associate of Arts Advisory Committee. He has spent significant time studying nutrition and is currently starting a small sustainable farm.

“I believe in the quote often attributed to Galileo: ‘You can’t teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself,’” said Dr. Hoyt. “Teaching is less about presenting facts and more about encouraging students to discover things for themselves.”

Drew Johnson, Business Technology

Drew Johnson earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from George Fox University and his master’s degree in secondary education from the University of Phoenix. He has taught in Clark College’s Business Technology department since 2011.

Johnson serves on the Clark College Retention Committee and is an active member of his department, working on curriculum and outcomes for the past five years.

Johnson described his teaching style by saying, “I attempt to deliver materials using several different methods in order to reach multiple learning styles. I also try to bring a real-world approach to the classroom by presenting assignments and materials that students can relate to, based on scenarios they may encounter in the workforce.”

Kenneth (Ken) Luchini, Mechatronics

Kenneth Luchini earned his associate degree in industrial electronics from Diablo Valley College in California. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in industrial electronics and computer technology from California State University Chico, and completed Master Studies in instructional processes in vocational education at the University of California Berkeley Extension. His work experience includes more than two decades as an electrical engineer, as well as 10 years as an electronics technician and eight years as a full-time college vocational education instructor in electronics and industrial automation.

Luchini serves as the faculty advisor for the MechNerds, Clark College’s student club devoted to mechatronics. He is also co-principal investigator for the Clark College Rural Access Mechatronics Program (RAMP), a program that would develop “hybrid” (combination online and face-to-face) curriculum to serve rural portions of the college’s service district through a proposed grant from the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education program.

Luchini summed up his teaching philosophy as “listen to others, see where they and their questions are coming from, and give or guide them to the information they want, so that they can use information right away and/or build upon it for technical skills and intellectual development.”

Sarah Luther, Mathematics

Sarah Luther earned her Bachelor of Arts with a major in English and a minor in mathematics from Lewis and Clark College. She also earned her Master of Arts in Teaching degree in secondary education from Lewis and Clark. She earned her Master of Science in mathematics from Texas A&M University. Luther has previous work experience as a middle-school math teacher in Portland, Oregon; a mathematics editor and textbook problem writer for IPS Publishing in Vancouver, Washington; and as a mathematics faculty member at both Umpqua Community College and Clark College.

In addition to volunteering as a tutor in Clark’s Women in STEM tutoring center, Luther frequently volunteers with Mathematics Department activities and outreach. She serves on the college’s International Education Committee and its Academic Standards Committee, and coordinates quarterly advising for all pre-college math students.

“My teaching philosophy centers around the belief that all students are capable of understanding mathematics,” Luther said. “Therefore my goal is to create a supportive community in which this learning can occur. Using a dynamic, interactive approach, I want to draw my students in to the beauty of math to help inspire enjoyment of the subject. “

Dr. Mika Maruyama, Psychology

Dr. Maruyama earned her bachelor’s degree from Utah State University and both her master’s and doctorate degrees in psychology from Portland State University. She has previous work experience at Portland State University, Oregon University System, University of Phoenix, Portland Community College, Mt. Hood Community College, and Clark College.

A native of Japan, Dr. Maruyama has studied human development in both American and Japanese society as well as social issues including animal cruelty, domestic violence, child maltreatment, and juvenile delinquency. She has contributed to numerous academic journals, handbooks, and textbooks, including Animal Abuse and Developmental Psychopathology (2010, APA Books), Human Development (2008, Wadsworth Publishing), and International Handbook of Theory and Research on Animal Abuse and Cruelty (2008, Purdue University Press).

At Clark, Dr. Maruyama serves on the BUILD EXITO Program Committee. She is also collaborating on a research project with Portland State University on the effectiveness of using virtual reality to influence health, and she is the principal investigator in a research project on humane education programs in the U.S.

Dr. Maruyama said, “My ultimate goal as a teacher is to positively influence students in how they view themselves and society by providing them with tools for understanding psychological principles that they can use outside of the classroom.”

Heather J. McAfee, Geography

Heather McAfee earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science/women and gender studies from the University of Colorado. She earned her Master of Arts degree in geography from the University of Oregon. She has previous work experience at the University of Oregon, Clark College, and as a Senior Human Terrain Analyst serving in Baghdad for the U.S. Army.

Currently McAfee serves as the chair of Clark College’s Geography Department. She is also a member of the college’s Associate of Arts Transfer Committee and the Learning Communities Taskforce, as well as a volunteer with the Library of the Future Taskforce.

“Since the purpose of schooling is to prepare students to live effectively in the world, it makes sense to put the needs of students in the spotlight,” McAfee said of her teaching philosophy. “I engage geography students though real-world examples, self-discovery, and creating a safe space to invite conversation about ‘big ideas’ and how they connect to their own experiences.”

Natalie Miles, Transitional Studies Language Arts

Natalie Miles earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Valley City State University in North Dakota. She has previous teaching experience at Grays Harbor College, Centralia College, Lower Columbia College, and Clark College; additionally, she has worked as a literacy specialist for the Evergreen School District.

At Clark, Miles serves as the BEECH Unit representative to the Teaching and Learning Advisory Committee and to the Tech Fee Committee. She has also been instrumental in designing curriculum for the High School 21+ English Pathways, Academic I-BEST, and the Early Childhood Education I-BEST. Miles developed quarterly tutor-training workshops for the Transitional Studies Tutor Center and volunteered as a mentor with First Year Experience.

“I believe my primary role is to encourage students to see their own potential to succeed,” said Miles. “I motivate students using a student-centered approach and differentiated instruction, whereby enabling me to guide them through content needed to meet competencies. I am thrilled to help students transition to their next steps at Clark.”

Erin Schoenlein, Transitional Studies Mathematics

Erin Schoenlein earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Portland. She earned her Master of Arts in Teaching from that institution as well. While working on her master’s degree, she assisted in the opening of St. Andrew Nativity School in Northeast Portland. Upon graduation, she taught mathematics and science at Wy’east Middle School in Portland. Schoenlein has taught at Clark since 2008.

Schoenlein serves as lead of Clark College’s Transitional Studies Math Cohort and of its Bridge to College Higher Education. She also helped develop curriculum for its High School 21+ program.

“I strive to be student centered in my teaching and curriculum development,” Schoenlein said. “My focus is to change the lives of the students I am lucky enough to support.”

Caleb White, Welding

Caleb White earned an associate degree in automotive and diesel technology from the Universal Technical Institute and a certificate of completion in welding technology from Clark College. He is currently working on an Associate of Applied Technology in welding technology from Clark College as well. White has more than a decade of work experience as a welder and fabricator, including 10 years as a mechanic shop foreman at Christensen Shipyards.

White has taught at Clark College since 2012. He currently serves as department head of Welding and Fabrication Technology.

“My approach to teaching is to teach a wide range of skill-sets so students can handle the changes of industry throughout their careers,” said White. “My teaching style is very conversational and I challenge the students along the way. My goal is not to teach students everything they would have to know in industry, but the skill-sets and problem-solving abilities to work through any situation they might encounter.”

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Kindergartners at King Elementary explore copies of The Cat in the Hat donated through the Clark College Bookstore. Photo: Clark College Bookstore/Kaina Barba

On March 2, staff members from the Clark College Bookstore participated in Read Across America Day by reading the Dr. Seuss classic The Cat in the Hat to kindergartners at King Elementary. But these volunteers didn’t just share a love of reading with the children: They also gave each student his or her own copy of the book to take home and keep.

The books–110 in all–were collected during the Bookstore’s eighth annual Book Drive in February. Students, faculty and staff purchased and donated copies of The Cat in the Hat so that each kindergartner at King Elementary would have a brand-new book to take home and share with their families.

“This is a really big deal to the kids, because so many of them come from low-income homes where there’s no money for non-essential items,” says Bookstore buyer Marti Earhart, a coordinator of the book drive. “When we hand each of the kids their own shiny new book, they get so excited!”

This year’s goal of 80 books was easily met just a few days into the two-week book drive, so donors continued to buy and donate Dr. Seuss books for the school’s library. The library at King Elementary received 30 various Dr. Seuss titles for students to check out and enjoy.

Donors of the books were asked to put their name on a nameplate that appeared on the inside front cover of each book. “At some point the kids will realize that the person whose name is in their book wanted to share their own love of reading with them,” says Earhart. “Hopefully this book will give kids confidence to open more books on their own. ”

Read Across America Day commemorates the birthday of Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss.

Photos: Clark College Bookstore/Kaina Barba

This article was contributed by Marti Earhart.

Brent Learned talks about George Curtis Levi’s traditional “ledger art” with attendees of the 2016 Student of Color Luncheon.

The winter 2016 Student of Color Luncheon was filled with history–some of it long in the past, and some of it being made right then. The event featured artists Brent Learned and George Curtis Levi, whose work is currently being featured at the Clark County Historical Museum, speaking about atrocities committed against their ancestors in the 19th century. It also marked the bestowal of Clark’s first scholarship designated specifically for a Native American student.

Dream Catcher Scholarship recipient Channa Smith

The Clark College Dream Catcher Scholarship was first announced at the college’s annual Native American celebration in 2014. Clark student Channa Smith said she was honored to be its inaugural recipient. “When I first applied for the scholarship, I didn’t think much about it beyond, ‘Oh, it would be nice to have some money,'” she said at the reception. “But it’s been really transformative. I didn’t think how much it would mean to me to be recognized for my hard work.”

Smith has been very active in the community, both at the college and in Southwest Washington. A Coast Salish tribe member, she helped start Clark’s new Native American Cultural Club and has participated in local Chinook tribal activities since moving to the area.

Channa Smith was named the inaugural recipient of the Dream Catcher Scholarship at the 2016 Student of Color Luncheon. Multicultural Retention Manager Felisciana Peralta, right, presented the scholarship.

After the scholarship was presented to Smith, Learned and Levi spoke about creating the art that makes up “One November Morning.” This exhibit depicts the Sand Creek Massacre of November 29, 1864, when more than 150 Cheyenne and Arapaho people were killed in Sand Creek, Colorado, by U.S. Army soldiers.

“You have to know where you come from to know where you’re going, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” said Levi during the presentation. He urged students at the luncheon to remember their own history and communities as they progressed in life. “Go back to your communities after you graduate and give back,” he said.

“One November Morning” will be on display at the Clark County Historical Museum through May 28. As part of its “Native Voices” exhibit, the Clark College Libraries is hosting a free art walk on Friday, March 4, that begins at Cannell Library with a reception, then visits the Native American basketry currently on display at Archer Gallery, and ends at the Clark County Historical Museum.

The spring 2016 Student of Color Luncheon will be held in May. It will feature the announcement of the recipient of Clark’s 2016 Constance Baker Motley Scholarship, which is given each year to a Clark College student of color.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Clark College is providing an unprecedented opportunity for eligible students to start their research careers while still in community college–getting hands-on research opportunities, paid internships, and special educational support to help them succeed in the exciting career of scientific researcher.

This opportunity comes through a recently developed program called BUILD-EXITO. Introduced in 2015, BUILD-EXITO is a program designed to support undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing research careers in the biomedical, behavioral, clinical, health, and social sciences. Scholars receive a broad range of support and opportunities. Over the course of their three years in the program (one here at Clark, the other two at Portland State University, the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, the University of Alaska in Anchorage, or the University of Guam), scholars will enroll in specific courses and will participate in workshops designed to enhance their skills and knowledge in science and research. In additional to summer research training, scholars will be placed in research labs and will receive paid research internships, as well as some tuition benefits. And scholars will have access to dedicated advisors and mentors to help them navigate their educational pathway.

This a great opportunity for students interested in solving pressing medical problems, discovering new scientific breakthroughs, or simply satisfying their curiosity about the world around them. Interested students can visit The first step to applying is to visit the BUILD-EXITO website–but they should do so quickly, as the application deadline before noon on Friday, March 4.

Clark students interested in participating in the program may direct questions to Professor Travis Kibota (tkibota@clark.edu, 992-2282). Dr. Kibota can put interested students in contact with one of Clark’s current 2015 BUILD-EXITO scholars to get some first-hand information about the program.

This article was contributed by Prof. Roberto Anitori