Families stopped by the booths, including Clark College’s allied health information table.
Clark College hosted Noche de Familia on October 1, a special night for Latiné families to learn about academic options and college and community resources available to Clark students. This event is designed to deepen the connection with Latiné communities by providing programming in the Spanish language for new, prospective, and current students and their families.
The entire program was presented in Spanish, including introductions and all presentations. Offered in the fall and spring quarters by the college and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI), this free event included activities for kids and a delicious dinner for all.
Staff from Admissions, Adult Basic Education, and Financial Aid made presentations—offering information on how to apply to Clark, and for services and like financial aid, and the many student support services.
Faculty from the college’s Business, Engineering, and Allied Health programs spoke about their programs and the types of job opportunities available to graduates.
Attendees also had opportunities to speak with Clark representatives from Financial Aid, Transitional Studies, Workforce Education Services, Clark Libraries, Counseling and Health Center, Career Services and more, Allied Health, Engineering and Computer Science, and more who sat at tables around the perimeter of the room.
WES table.Carol Hsu plays a game at the Engineering booth.Rosalba, far right, with members of the Mexican consulate.Mexican Consul Mónica Ochoa Palomera, center meets members of the ODEI team.VP of ODEI Vanessa Neal plays at the kids table.Trustee Juarez talks to John Anderson.Lizette Drennan talks to visitors about Financial Aid.Many academic and community partners tabled at the event.
While parents learned about resources and opportunities to assist them along their educational journey, their young children were busy with activities including face painting, creating artwork, reading books, and playing games.
Vanessa Neal, Vice President of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI), welcomed our special guests, Mexican Consul Mónica Ochoa Palomera; John Anderson, Southwest Washington regional representative of the office of Governor Jay Inslee; and Clark College Trustee Cristhian Canseco Juarez.
Left to right: event coordinator and student success coach Katia Quintero and keynote speaker Liliana Salazar.
Inspiring Clark alum
Liliana Salazar, our keynote speaker, shared her inspiring story from undocumented childhood immigrant to first-generation college graduate and business owner. Growing up in Vancouver, Salazar decided she wanted to attend college, but she was not eligible for federal financial aid because she was a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient. But she did not let the difficult financial barrier stop her. She was determined to get an education.
To pay for school, she worked as a waitress and applied for countless scholarships. First, she attended Clark College for two years before transferring to Washington State University Vancouver. Passionate about helping her community, she transformed her hobby of creating web pages into Website Chicks, which she calls “a business that has allowed me to empower others for the past seven years.”
At tables around the perimeter of Gaiser Student Center, several community nonprofits and organizations provided information about scholarships and other support and assistance also offered information at tables. They included:
Artist Daniel Duford stands in front of his painting Paisley Caves.
Art appreciators gathered to welcome artist Daniel Duford at the opening reception for his exhibit “American Underland” at Archer Gallery on October 1. The exhibit closes on December 20, so if you missed the reception, you still have time to visit this exhibit.
Duford chatted with guests, who included Clark students, staff, faculty, and community members.
He created all the exhibited work after his January 2024 residency at PLAYA in rural Summer Lake, Oregon, a land of open spaces and sagebrush at the edge of the Great Basin.
Standing in front of his painting Paisley Caves, he spoke about how spending a month in that landscape influenced his art. He spoke about walking across shallow, frozen lakes and taking in that landscape. He observed and said, “I took a ton of photos.”
Gallery Director’s Statement: I was initially drawn to Daniel Duford’s work because of his rich color palette and the unique mix of painting, drawing, and ceramics in his practice. I also appreciate how he combines landscape imagery with shamanistic and folkloric symbols to lead the viewer on a poetic journey—a deeper sense of time and space is brought to the forefront.
Our country is coming up on an election and, at times, the campaigns have felt shallow or short-sighted. In other words, the problems and solutions seem to have a four-year expiration date. This exhibit presents an alternative look at our country. The work on display depicts North American landscapes, characters, and stories that have long roots and deep time.
“That sense of time and change connects us to the larger, living world. That’s true deep time,” Duford says in an interview for Artsy.com. My hope is that this exhibit is both visually evocative for viewers and starts conversations around what it means to be American. Archer Gallery is excited to welcome this engaging political show that is refreshingly non-partisan just in time for the election.
American Underland events
Exhibition: September 16 – December 20
Saturday reception: November 2, 1-4 p.m.
Artist Talk: October 15, 1-2 p.m. (in person, PUB room 161)
Artist Daniel Duford stands in front of his sculpture Wellspring Processional Gonfalon.
Artist’s Statement about American Underland: The motifs filling these new works are the Janus head, coyotes, and processions. Janus is the Roman god of doorways, of endings and beginnings. The double-faced god presided over city gates marking times of war and peace. Old Man Coyote too has many faces. He is the Changeable One. Coyote the deity created death, the stars, and lots of chaos. His stories are bawdy, absurd, and alive with the electricity of a living landscape.
Coyote the animal has a complicated relationship to the United States’s history of Puritanical programs of extermination and persistent resilience. The procession is an image I’ve long been interested in. From Goya’s penitents to Courbet’s A Burial at Ornans, the procession can be solemn, grotesque, mocking, or an exuberant carnival.
Given the flowing energy of protest movements in the past several years, I see the image of the procession as an image of collective soul. I am more interested in the chthonic energies rumbling beneath the ground and lava flows animating the collective unconscious of the nation.
About the artist
Daniel Duford is an artist, writer, and teacher. His work tells stories drawn from North American history and mythology. He is a 2019 John Simon Guggenheim Fellow, a 2010 Hallie Ford Fellow, and a recipient of a 2012 Art Matters Grant. His murals and public art can be found throughout Portland. His books include John Brown’s Body, The Unfortunates Graphic Novel, The Naked Boy, and The Green Man of Portland. His work has been shown at MASS MoCA, The Atlanta Center for Contemporary Art, Maryhill Museum, Bellevue Arts Museum, Clay Studio, The Boise Art Museum, Museum of Contemporary Craft, PICA, and The Art Gym at Marylhurst University. Residencies include MacDowell, Crow’s Shadow Art Center, and Ash Street Project. His writing has appeared in High Desert Journal, Parabola, Artweek, ARTnews, The Emily Dickinson Award Anthology, The Organ, The Bear Deluxe, Ceramics Monthly, Ceramics: Technical and Ceramics: Art and Perception. His work has been reviewed by The New York Times, The Village Voice, New York Press, The Albany Times Union, The Oregonian, Sculpture Magazine, Art Papers, Artweek, The Willamette Week and The Portland Mercury. He is currently the Visiting Professor of Art at Reed College and Creative Director at Building Five in Portland, Oregon. Learn more here.
About Archer Gallery
Archer Gallery serves the students and community of Clark College by exhibiting contemporary art in a not-for-profit educational setting. In order to exhibit work that has a strong interest for an academic institution, the gallery brings work that fulfills at least one of the following criteria.
Regionally, nationally, or internationally exhibiting professional artists
Artwork that has a strong connection to new contemporary art concepts or methods
Artwork that connects to Clark College Art Department curriculum and programs
Works by artists with significant historical influence on contemporary art practices
Clark College faculty and staff gathered on September 16 to kick off the 2024-2025 academic year during Opening Day festivities at O’Connell Sports Center.
It was a homecoming of sorts. People greeted each other as they lined up at tables laden with gallons of coffee and hundreds of bagels for a breakfast hosted by iQ Credit Union. Staff and faculty gathered in small groups all over the gym to reconnect and catch up on their summer activities. Dozens got a new staff photo taken by Jenny Shadley from Communications and Marketing. During the celebration, several employees were honored with awards. Read more about the employee awards: https://news.clark.edu/2024/09/2024-employee-awards/
Cristhian Caseco Juarez, Andrew Gratze, and Denise GideonMelissa O’Dea, Levi Nelson, Kristina Martin, and Brittanie CastreyDr. Terry Brown, Mike Law, and Niira Krupnick Dr. Edwards, Carl Douglas, Tiffany Saari, Brian McVay, and Chad LaughlinDr. Michele Cruse, Vanessa Neal, and Courtney HooverZach Lattin and Laura Nagel
Welcome by Dr. Edwards
Dr. Edwards greeted faculty and staff in a message focused on the power of unity, with everyone working together and using the college’s Equity-Centered Strategic Plan as our roadmap. Next, a new Strategic Plan video was screened.
Speaking about unity, Dr. Edwards quoted Thomas Paine, an 18th-century political writer: “It’s not in numbers, but in unity, that our great strength lies.”
Following the theme of “unity,” Oswald, our beloved Penguin mascot, starred in a video that showed Degrundra “Dee” Harris from ODEI leading him around campus in search of components to build a special Opening Day surprise gift. (View the video: https://youtu.be/Ok2Q0T63LUA) The video concluded with real-life Oswald entering the gym with an ASCC leader and bearing his special gift. With an extra power boost from the clapping and cheering from the audience, Oswald pushed the button and launched a wall of confetti into the audience, who shrieked appreciatively.
Dr. Edwards thanked the Clark College Foundation for their partnership. Each year, the foundation awards $1.3 million in scholarships, special awards, and financial support to hundreds of our students, and contributes an average of $3.5 million annually to the college for programs and capital support.
She said, “This collaboration has been a pivotal component of our success over the last 50 years. Please join me in giving another heartfelt thank you to our partners at the Clark College Foundation.”
Dr. Edwards highlighted a dozen projects and programs including:
An AI-powered chatbot will be added to our website to enhance user experience.
Our new Associate of Applied Technology (AAT) degree in Surgical Technology has been approved.
Our first building at Boschma Farms is nearly completed. General education classes will begin in Spring 2025. Our Advanced Manufacturing program is awaiting NWCUU approval.
We currently have $13 million in grants and allocations including a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to close opportunity gaps by providing cohort-based support and academic preparation program, faculty mentoring, and scholarships to 48 students pursuing associate degrees in Engineering or Computer Science.
We have hired Caitlin Malvar as our Basic Needs Navigator, a new role supported by the state to provide a single point of contact for students seeking essential resources.
We are preparing for accreditation for 2024-2025 under the leadership of Dr. Cecelia Martin.
And much more!
ASCC President Gurraj Singh Dhami, pictured above, introduced this academic year’s student leaders. Then he spoke about his focus: To “ensure that every student has access to the resources and support they need to succeed. Each of us has unique obstacles, and it’s vital that we create an environment where every student feels supported, whether through financial aid, mental health resources, or extracurricular involvement. We all need that sense of community, and I’m committed to making sure no one feels left behind.”
Board of Trustees Chair Cristhian Canseco Juarez spoke about unity throughout the Clark community: the board of trustees, Dr. Edwards, Clark College Foundation, and faculty and staff across campus. He closed by saying, “Imagine what impact we can make this academic year as we work together in unity on behalf of our students and our college community. I am honored to work with you and to be part of Penguin Nation.”
Dr. Edwards closed Opening Day by saying: “Next week, we will welcome a new cohort of students who have put their trust in Clark College—and all of us collectively—to help them step onto a path toward success in their academic goals, their careers, and in life. I thank each of you for being a part of the Clark team doing this important work on behalf of our students. We have our equity-centered Strategic Plan as our road map in place. We have our team of good people in place. Now it’s time for us to focus on finding ways to work together—in Unity.”
Fall Faculty Focus
Opening Day is part of a multi-day orientation and training for faculty organized by the Clark College Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) to inspire, inform, and engage faculty to build community, learn, and grow in their teaching.
Fall Faculty Focus on September 17 welcomed faculty back for the new academic year. The theme was “Me, Myself, and AI.” The keynote speaker was Wilson Nitunga, pictured above, a professor of Business and Marketing at Portland Community College (PCC) who works with PCC’s Center of Artificial Intelligence and Cultural Computing. He shared his academic journey from refugee to at-risk student to faculty member. Then he shared instructional and relational strategies to develop the best possible support system for students, and innovative ways to use AI for enhanced teaching and learning.
Dr. Terry Brown, center, meets with faculty at Faculty Focus.
Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley and Susan Parrish More photos from Opening Day can be viewed on Flickr: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBHKt8
2024 Employee Awards
Clark College employees gathered on September 16 to kick off the 2024-25 academic year during Opening Day festivities at O’Connell Sports Center. During the event, the following faculty and staff members were recognized. Congratulations to all the recipients! Read more about Opening Day: https://news.clark.edu/2024/09/opening-day-2024/
Left to right: Becky Engel, Halina Brant-Zawadzki, Tanya Diaz-Kozlowski, Sarah Blanchette, Catherine Johnston, and Sarah Luther
Clark College Exceptional Faculty Award is one of the highest honors that the college bestows. While anyone at the college can nominate a faculty member for this award, most nominations come from students to recognize professors who truly made a difference in their lives.
Halina Brant-Zawadzki, Nursing
Dr. Halina Brant-Zawadzki (Dr. B-Z) has taught Nursing at Clark College since January 2022. She has more than 18 years of experience in nursing education from various nursing schools in the Portland-Vancouver metro area, including being tenured faculty at the University of Portland’s School of Nursing. She teaches in the classroom, in the acute care setting, and in the simulation lab.
Dr. Brant-Zawadzki holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Lewis and Clark College, both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Portland, and a Ph.D. in Nursing Science from the University of Washington. Her area of scholarship focuses on trauma-responsive education, stress management, and coping strategies in undergraduate nursing students.
Her student nominator wrote: “Dr. Brant-Zawadzki is the definition of ‘I’m here to help.’ She was attentive to each student and made everyone feel valid, supported, and wanted. She takes every question into careful consideration and tries different approaches for different learning styles. Her lectures and notes had videos, readings, demonstrations, and more to make sure every learner was addressed in their style.”
Sarah Luther, Mathematics
Sarah Luther earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Mathematics and a Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education from Lewis and Clark College. She earned her Master of Science in Mathematics from Texas A&M University. Luther previously was a middle-school math teacher and a mathematics editor and textbook problem writer. She taught math at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon before she started teaching at Clark College 11 years ago.
Luther serves on the college’s Sigma Scholarship Committee and a tenure committee. She also is a member of Clark’s Math Activities Committee that organizes events to give students opportunities to interact with math outside the classroom. These include origami events, game nights emphasizing strategy and logic, and an event exploring the Pythagorean Theorem.
Her student nominator wrote:“Math is not at all my strength and when I first began Math 105, I was absolutely terrified. These feelings quickly vanished when I met with Professor Luther and realized I didn’t have to feel embarrassed to ask for help. She is not only very easy to understand, but also such an empathetic and understanding person who knows exactly how to work with students. It’s clear that she truly cares about the success of her students and I’m so incredibly grateful for her help this quarter.”
Sarah Blanchette, Human Services
Sarah Blanchette received an Associate of Arts in Social Sciences with an emphasis in Social Services from College of the Redwoods, a community college in Eureka, California, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at University of California Davis.
Next Sarah worked in social and human services leadership and administration for 25 years: 13 years at the Department of Social and Health Services and 7 years at Developmental Disabilities Administration. Working with youth, families, aging adults, and individuals with developmental disabilities led her to complete her master’s degree in Social Work at Eastern Washington University, which was co-located at Clark at the time.
Her master’s studies led Sarah to Clark College in 2019 to teach the next generation of human service workers through the BASHS and ACED programs.
Sarah said, “Teaching deepened my life. I have been inspired by my students’ resilience and by their passion for making the world a better place.”
Her student nominator wrote: “Sarah gives me hope for the future of my field. She teaches us alternative ways to view and use old ideas so we can apply conventional practices in a contemporary way that’s more trauma informed, culturally adaptable, and influenced by acknowledgement of the unique strengths and needs of various populations. She’s cultivating the generation of counselors that the world needs, and it’s both inspiring and motivating as an aspiring researcher trying to change the way helpers help for the better.”
Tanya Diaz-Kozlowski, Women’s Studies
Dr. Tanya Diaz-Kozlowski (she/her/ella) is a meditator, writer, and teacher who has taught Women’s Studies courses at Clark College since Fall 2020. She centers queer and BIPOC narratives in all courses to explore knowledge, subjectivity, and power with students as co-partners in learning, encouraging students to forge connections rooted in awareness, accountability, and compassion rather than reactivity, stereotypes, and dis/mis information.
Her contributions at Clark include mentoring queer and BIPOC students, serving on multiple hiring committees, speaking at the Queer Student Luncheon, serving as chair of a tenure committee, serving on the Instructional Planning Committee, and co-creating community and connection gatherings for Clark College faculty and staff.
Dr. Diaz-Kozlowski holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from University of Wisconsin-Parkside, a Master of Science in Higher Education from Eastern Illinois University, and a doctorate degree in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership with a focus in social and cultural foundations from The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In addition to her tenure at Clark, she has worked at the Uniting Pride Center of Champaign County and has taught at Illinois State University and The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Her student nominator wrote: “Race, gender, and sexuality all intersect with our identities. This is what we were taught in Women’s Studies and how Dr. Diaz-Kozlowski treats us reflects exactly what we learn. They respect pronouns and queer individuals. Also, they advocate for BIPOC and queer authors, which respects students’ identities as they may be relatable to us.”
Rebecca Engel, American Sign Language
Rebecca Engel earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Oregon State University and a Master of Education degree in Deaf Education from Western Oregon University. Before coming to Clark College, she taught middle school at Washington School for the Deaf. She has been teaching at Clark since 2006 and was granted tenure in 2020.
At Clark she teaches all levels of American Sign Language as well as Deaf Culture courses. She serves on Clark’s Curriculum committee, is ASL Club advisor, and actively participates in Teaching and Learning Center communities.
She also serves on CTE advisory boards for Evergreen and Vancouver school districts. She also serves on the Language Access advisory committee for OSPI.
Her student nominator wrote:“I am one of many students who have been touched by Becky’s contagious light and electric energy. She has supported me in my two years as an ASL student at Clark College and has always encouraged me to chase my dreams of becoming an ASL interpreter. Her willingness to teach me and her excitement toward my journey is a huge part of the reason why I am here today. She has shared resources with me, given valuable feedback that has grown my ASL skills, and reminded me why my dreams matter.”
“As a Deaf woman, Becky understands the value of respecting differences and has encouraged others to do so as well. Many times, we have discussed the importance of Deaf Culture as well as taking the time to learn from other people’s experiences. Becky is always willing to help and wants all of her students to feel supported in her classroom. She makes me feel like I am important and so are my opinions.”
Catherine Johnston, English as a Second Language
Volunteering with a literacy organization prompted Catherine Johnston to begin a career in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). Fifteen minutes into her initial tutoring session with a pre-literate speaker of Arabic, she decided to pursue a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at University of San Francisco. She previously earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English at DePaul University.
Since 1997, she has enjoyed teaching children and adults in language schools and universities, training teachers in a training certificate program, and writing and editing educational materials for several publishers. She has worked in educational settings in Hong Kong, Mexico, and various parts of the United States. She began teaching full time at Clark College in 2007.
Catherine said it is a privilege and a pleasure to have a role in the cultural adjustment process of her immigrant and refugee students, some of whom came here by choice and some of whom came here by circumstance.
She said, “Whether students are accomplished professionals, new to formal education, or somewhere in between, I appreciate the opportunity to help my ESL learners realize their goals. Serving alongside my Transitional Studies staff and faculty colleagues is a joy.”
Her student nominator wrote:“In the realm of education, there are teachers who simply impart knowledge, and then there are those rare individuals who leave an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of their students. Catherine Johnston, without a doubt, falls into the latter category. As an older student representing our diverse class, she is the best teacher I have encountered who helped me to believe in myself and have the courage to start a new life here in the United States, where English is not my first language.”
Exceptional Classified Staff Awards
Left to right: Terry Haye and Andra Spencer.
Andra Spencer,Office of Diversity Equity & Inclusion
Her nominator wrote:“Andra has been a part of ODEI for a little over a year, and the positive impact of her work and dedication were immediately felt. Andra’s passion for equity and education is contagious. She dove into creating a PPI training on recognizing and disrupting antisemitism this summer and introduced many to a body of knowledge previously undiscussed at the college.”
Teresa Haye, Bachelor of Applied Science Teacher Education (BASTE)
Her nominator wrote:“Terry has been essential to the success of this program, which grew from 5 students in the first year to 20 students in the second year. Her passion for student success, removing barriers, and prioritizing tasks that allow for those dynamics are all part of her superpowers.”
Exceptional Administrative-Exempt Award
Monica Knowles, Bookstore
Her nominator wrote: “They are a productive leader; their work performance is exemplary. This is due partly to the fact that they have created well thought out procedures for the operation of the Bookstore. More importantly, they make sure that team members understand the importance of their roles in the big picture and provide the proper training for team members to perform their roles well. They foster an encouraging environment in which staff members want to collaborate and give their best for the Bookstore.”
Lora Whitfield Social Equity Award
Ciera Jones, Athletics
Lora Whitfield was an Early Childhood Education professor at Clark College who cared deeply about this community. She was committed to the success of her fellow employees and the students she served. As a tenured professor, she promoted equity and inclusion, creating a culture of community for all.
Clark’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion reviews the nominations for this award and makes a recommendation based on a Clark employee’s demonstrated and sustained commitment to advancing equity. The recipient receives $1,000 and a plaque in honor of Lora Whitfield.
Her student nominator wrote: “Coach Ciera preaches equity and opportunity—and she stands by it. From allowing members onto her team who lack a background in the sport due to systemic failures, to promoting mental health resources and seeking ways to give back to the community, Ciera acts on her beliefs. She continuously goes above and beyond to ensure her team is involved on the field, in the school, and in the world around them. She is a shining example of leadership.”
“Coach Ciera demonstrates her leadership on the field, and in her office. When you speak with her, you can sense her respect for others. As a Deaf player on her team, I never felt lesser or othered by her. I was given numerous opportunities to grow in the sport, challenge my own obstacles, and better my mind and body. Her leadership instilled confidence in me that I carry to the classroom, and Ciera has reached out to me about partnering with the ASL Club to provide softball camps to the local Deaf community, furthering this inclusion and equity.”
Years of Service Awards
Brad Avakian, vice president of Human Resources, presented the years of service awards to employees with 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years of service. Thanks to an anonymous donor through the Foundation, all years of service awards also come with monetary compensation based on the number of years served.
5 years
Human Resources: Alicia Dingivan
Instruction: Aaron Ahn, Andrea Belleisl, Sandra Bennett, Opinderjit Bhella, Sarah Blanchette, Chris Cerone, Kristin Christophersen, Joanne Costello, Kymber Croft-Miller, Jennifer Denrow, Cassia Gammill, Hernan Garzon, Katherine Goforth, Jesse Kysar, Nicholas Luisi, Erin Lynch, Olga Lyubar, Kathryn Matsuura, Stacie Murdoch, Kenneth Murr, Valenti Pischanskaya- Cayanan, Brian Shannon, Richa Sharma, Tabitha Stokes, Christopher Thompson, Christina Wallace
Operations: Courtney Braddock, Laurie Mitchell, Darcie Daniel
Student Affairs: Michael Aguirre, Kelsey Gramm, Amanda Mabrey
Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Alyssa Montminy
Foundation: Andy Palmquist, Angela Torretta
10 YEARS
Instruction: Christopher Chaffin, Lindsay Christopher, Amy Ellis, Jay Fancher, Caron Ford, Jaron Gardiner, Rebecca Herman, Alec Josephson, Sergey Kachenkov, Darcy Kennedy, Manda Levie, Donald Ludwig, Brian McVay, James Powers, Cathy Reynolds, Jeffrey Snyder, Aubrey Tobias, Kurtis Trimbo, Michelle Vincent, Tiffani Young, Shelly Williams
Instruction: Linda Appert, William Athens, Jack Bohl, Loni Bramson, Amanda Brown, Erin Burrows, Amanda Crochet, Alison Dolder, Wendy Edgar, Nicole Ekle, Rebecca Engel, Heidi Fay, Cynthia Foreman, Michael Guerra, Marilyn Hale, Shanda Haluapo, John Jarvie, James Jensen, Divya Kashyap, Donna Marshall, Angelica Quinn, Julie Saiturn, Stephen Shepherd, Erin Staples
Operations: Kay Martinez
Student Affairs: Cindy Aplin, Margaret Estes
20 YEARS
Instruction: David Caldwell, Isaac Erskine, Gothard Grey, Izad Khormaee, John Kuhn, Gayle Lee, Kanchan Mathur, Christopher Milner, John Mitchel, April Mixon
Thao Schmidt and Dr. Edwards.Mark Bolke, Jennifer Dean, Sarah Gallow and Dr. Edwards.Sabra Sand, Monica Knowles, Billie Garner, and a poster of Damon Grady.Shirley Schwartz and Dr. EdwardsGail Robinson, Don Gonser, Judy Emenegger, Kayoko Barnhill, Kristine Barker, and Aaron Bingham.Mike Arnold and Dr. EdwardsLisa Hasart and Dr. Edwards
25 YEARS
Human Resources: Thao Schmidt
Instruction: Mark Bolke, Ray Cooper, Jennifer Dean, Sara Gallow, Kathleen Perillo
Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley More photos from Opening Day can be found on Flickr: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBHKt8
PPI guest speaker at Staff Development Days
Erin Jones shared her story, inspiring hundreds of Clark College employees who gathered in Gaiser Student Center for Staff Development Days on August 14.
Jones, a teacher, speaker, and the author of “Bridge to Heal US: Stories and Strategies for Racial Healing” presented a two-hour Power, Privilege, and Inequity (PPI) address that counted as a college-wide PPI training.
Her engaging presentation was filled with sage insights, including these:
“What you see is not at all my story. What you see is just a small part of who I am.”
“My experiences are not better than yours. They’re just different.”
“All great things start with courage.”
“This journey of healing as a nation is complicated.”
She asked Clark College staff members to consider these two questions:
Why do you do what you do where you do it?
What are you doing to fill your cup right now? What are you doing to feed your soul?
Then she introduced three postures that are useful in her own daily interactions with others.
Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards, Erin Jones, and Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Vanessa Neal.
Posture 1: Practicing Gratitude
Erin writes in a gratitude journal daily—even when she has an overflowing schedule. She said it’s a discipline that has made a difference in her life and her attitude.
“I practice gratitude every single day.”
“Gratitude changes your brain chemistry. It creates a positive neural network.”
“Gratitude is an equity practice for me.”
“In your team meetings, consider starting with a moment of gratitude.”
Posture 2: Creating a Brave Space
She introduced this posture by saying, “The idea of creating a safe space is a fraud. I want to create a place that is safe enough for you to be brave.”
She asked, “What is brave going to look like for us?”
Then she answered her question like this:
I commit to being vulnerable.
I commit to no shame, blame, or guilt.
When you mess up, ‘fess up.
Be curious. Stay curious.
When she encounters someone who says something that contradicts her own beliefs, she asks herself: “Do I have something to say right now that’s going to make them feel better, or do I want to say something to shame them? Shame shuts us down.”
She led the attentive participants in an arm exercise that can serve as a useful reminder: “Let’s call each other in and up to the best version of ourselves, not down and out to shame.”
Board of Trustee Chair Cristhian Canseco Juárez, right, shares with fellow Trustee Marilee Scarbrough.
Posture 3: Pausing or Breathing Before You Speak
When you find yourself in a challenging space, she suggested that BEFORE you speak or act, it is helpful to pause, take a deep breath, and count backwards from 10 to 1, preferably in a language that is not your native language. That will force you to take your time before you respond.
She reminded people to choose their words carefully: “Your words have the power to build or destroy.”
Members of the Staff Development Days planning committee with Erin Jones. Left to right: Carolyn Stark, Mary Chavez, Andra Spencer, Erin Jones, Donna Larson, Degundrea Harris, Haley Tucker; back row: Sandra Bush. Read more about 2024 Staff Development Days.
Buy her book, “Bridges to Heal US,” for a discounted rate at the Clark College Bookstore.
2024 Staff Development Days
Shelly Williams, back left, of the Fine Arts Division led a jigsaw puzzle competition and spoke about using hobbies to find work-life balance.
Hundreds of Clark College staff spent two days learning together during the tenth annual Staff Development Days on August 13 and 14.
The event, chock full of professional development training, allows staff time to connect with other staff on campus, learn valuable skills, and share department information. Six breakout sessions offered three dozen professional development opportunities focused on a variety of topics. This year’s workshops included a supervisor training series, mini-learning sessions, opportunities for department meetings, and time for individuals to complete Higher Ed Works online training.
In her welcome to staff, Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards quoted educator, Rudine Sims Bishop: “Mirrors allow you to see your own experiences, windows to see others,’ and sliding glass doors to enter other worlds.” Dr. Edwards added: “Over the next two days, there may be many mirrors, windows, and doors for you to explore, learn, and grow.”
Keynote Speaker on Building Community
Clark College Foundation CEO Calen Ouellette, pictured above, presented Tuesday’s keynote, “The Community We Build.” Calen focused on three key terms: Engagement, empowerment, and collaboration, and posed a reflective question for each term.
Engagement: What specific actions can you take to make your colleagues feel more engaged and valued in the workplace?
Empowerment: How can you empower team members to take the initiative and feel confident in their roles?
Collaboration: What steps can you take to foster better collaboration and communication within your team and across teams at Clark?
Departments presenting sessions included Accounting Services; Career Services; Clark College Foundation; Communications and Marketing (pictured above); Counseling and Health Center; Disability Support Services; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Event Services; Facilities Services; Fine Arts; Human Resources; IT-Network Services; Information Technology Services; Payroll; Planning and Effectiveness; Purchasing; Student Affairs; Teaching & Learning Center; Veterans Center of Excellence; and more.
Sessions addressed burnout prevention, conflict management, time block planning, and unlocking the power of data.
Some sessions focused on how best to assist others in our community.
Bellamy Holt from Entry Services taught” Etiquette to a T: Treating Trans Folks with Courtesy.” Bellamy provided vocabulary terms for allies and cis individuals to use and gave examples of how to politely ask for someone’s pronouns, and how to avoid misgendering people.
Tre Sandlin from the Teaching and Learning Center taught “Accessibility: Headings and Alternative Text.” Participants learned how headings enable folks who use assistive technology and how to use them to improve the navigability of their content. Teams of participants viewed images and discussed how to write alt text for different lenses.
Valentina Pishchanskaya-Cayanan from the Counseling & Health Center presented “Understanding the Ukrainian Student Experience.” She emigrated from Ukraine as a child and still has family in Ukraine. She shared a deeper understanding of the Ukrainian culture, various challenges that new arrivals from Ukraine are experiencing, and how folks can best support our Ukrainian students.
There was time for fun and relaxation, too.
Courtney Braddock from Accounting Services taught a lively line dance workshop to get staffers’ minds and bodies moving to a variety of music.
Jenny Shadley from Communications/Marketing led a “Creative Mindfulness” workshop to encourage participants to experiment using creative practices to be more present. After a guided meditation and a creative prompt, participants had an opportunity to take a short walk on campus and either take a photo or write a poem.
Shelley Williams from the Fine Arts division led two hands-on jigsaw puzzle competitions. While teams worked together to complete a puzzle, Shelly shared about how engaging in hobbies can help employees find a healthy work-life balance. The winning team received Symphony chocolate bars.
Many thanks to the staff who organized Staff Development Days: Andra Spencer, Vanessa Bural, Alyssa Montminy, Carolyn Stark, De’Gundrea Harris, Donna Larson, Haley Tucker, Lindsey Schuhmacher, Maggie Li, Michelle Golder, Sandra Bush, and Wendé Fisher.
Students from the McClaskey Culinary Institute with lunch boxes they prepared.
Thanks also to instructors, staff, and students from McClaskey Culinary Institute for providing delicious box lunches on both days and to the bookstore for providing free ice cream treats.
“The members of our planning team are so pleased with this year’s Staff Development Days,” said Andra Spencer, who works in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. “We saw the excitedness of staff members connecting across departments. When we gathered together in Gaiser Student Center, the energy was palpable. What a positive start to our 2024-2025 academic year.” Continue Your Professional Development Journey
For those who want to continue their learning journey, attendees can reflect on their conference experience and share feedback with the Staff Development Days planning team. Here’s how you can stay engaged:
Review session materials: Access presentation slides and other valuable resources from the conference: Presenter Files
Share your feedback: Your thoughts are crucial for improving future professional development events. Please fill out our feedback survey: https://bit.ly/SDD-24-feedback
“We hope these resources will help you build on the insights gained and continue your professional journey.” —Staff Development Days planning team
Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish
Guided Pathways Camps
Director of Medical Assisting Sarah Kuzera (above, far left) stood in her classroom and held up a medical mannequin torso affectionately named “Roberta.” Sixteen middle- and high-school students watched Kuzera demonstrate how to remove surgical stitches and staples. Then it was their turn.
These students were among about 100 students who attended career pathways camps at Clark College during the week of June 25-28. Clark College hosted Health Care Pathway Camp and STEM Pathway Camp for middle- and high school students to consider careers in health care and STEM fields. Both camps were funded by Guided Pathways, Clark College Foundation, and Career Connect Washington. This was the second year these camps were offered to systemically non-dominant students1. Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks were provided, along with a Clark T-shirt.
“Guided Pathways is thrilled to support both the healthcare and STEM camps again this year,” said Rhianna Johnson, director of Guided Pathways and Partnerships. “Sparking interest in young minds is critical for helping students believe that college is a viable path for them. Providing exploratory opportunities to gain hands-on experience in these careers and learning pathways is a hallmark of equitable access, a foundational component of the Guided Pathways model.”
In each classroom and laboratory, students were provided instruction from Clark faculty and were offered opportunities to learn hands-on skills used in those careers.
Health Care Pathway Camp
The Health Care Pathway Camp was attended by about 70 enthusiastic students who spent one day in Clark’s Allied Health building at Washington State University Vancouver. Students were introduced to a variety of potential careers, including dental hygiene, emergency medical technician, health information management, medical assisting, nursing, pharmacy technician, and phlebotomy technician.
In the medical assisting classroom, students practiced removing surgical stitches and staples, used a cuff to check blood pressure, performed vision and hearing tests, and wrapped arms with casting material.
Students in the pharmacy technician classroom practiced counting pill blanks, making hand sanitizer in a simulated compounding pharmacy, and performing syringe draws in a protective hood.
In the phlebotomy technician classroom, students used syringes to practice injections into artificial venipuncture and injection arms and more.
In the nursing simulation laboratory, students performed CPR compressions on lifelike interactive patient simulators, practiced treating a deep wound, and more.
In every classroom and laboratory, students were engaged and asked questions as they learned about potential health care careers.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Pathway Camp
The STEM Pathway Camp partnered with Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) to introduce systemically non-dominant students1 to biology, engineering, chemistry, rocketry, surveying and geomatics, and more. During the free, two-day camp, 30 attendees participated in six activities. Campers also received breakfast and lunch.
Engineering Professor Carol Hsu mentioned that she noticed students were already making connections with each other and exchanging contact information during lunch on the first day of camp.
Activities included:
Dissecting a lamprey eel.
Creating plastics from corn and milk to compare the strength, durability, and biodegradability of them.
Using rocket kits to build their own tiny model rockets. They will have to wait to launch them at an approved park.
3D printing. Students created tiny, plastic objects ranging from spiders to penguins.
A compass scavenger hunt plus a contest to see who could guess the length of 100 feet.
Touring Clark College campus.
Students were treated to a panel discussion by current Clark MESA students, who talked about their educational journeys, career pathways, and how the staff and faculty helped to demystify college and STEM fields specifically.
Johnson said, “Guided Pathways funding supports opportunities like the Health Care Pathways Camp and STEM Camp to ensure that potential students have access to information and experiences that will help them make positive career choices and challenge stereotypes about who can benefit from jobs in the healthcare and STEM fields.”
Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish and Carly Rae Zent
Nursing Program
Isaac Aguilar (pictured above recieving his nursing pin from his mother) has a heart for helping people. After working as a certified nursing assistant and an emergency medical technician, he realized he wanted to be a nurse and enrolled in Clark’s well-respected nursing program.
As a nursing student, he completed a residency in a hospital intensive care unit and had another realization: “I really like connecting with families on their hardest day.”
No doubt Aguilar will be a stellar, dedicated nurse.
Aguilar and 26 fellow nursing students from Clark College’s 147th nursing cohort graduated on June 20. The following night, they gathered with their loved ones to celebrate their achievement during their pinning ceremony on June 21 in Gaiser Student Center. These graduates earned their associate of arts in Nursing DTA/MRP. Next, they will take their exam to become a Registered Nurse. Most of them shared their plans to continue their education and earn their bachelor’s degree in nursing, or BSN.
Benjamin Kramer, the student speaker, provided medical care in the U.S. Navy before he enrolled in Clark’s nursing program. He thanked his wife and their two daughters for their support while he focused on Clark’s intense, two-year program.
He told his fellow nurses, “A lot of the medicine we do is not glitzy, but it will pay dividends for our patients.”
Allie Bryant (above, right) received the Clinical Excellence Award, bestowed on a graduate who has shown exceptional clinical performance.
In accepting the award, she said, “I decided to become a nurse because of my grandfather. He would be so proud.”
Juliah Larson and her family.Meghan Strizak and her family.
Then it was time for the pinning ceremony. In turn, each graduate stood and was pinned by someone essential in their journey to becoming a nurse: parents, spouses, partners, siblings, children, and best friends.
Allie Bryant was pinned by her father.
Isaac Aguilar was pinned by his mother.
Juliah Larson was pinned by her husband, while she held their baby.
Simon Kirpa was pinned by his wife.
Alicia Beach was pinned by her friend, Jennifer, a nurse.
Katy Hammond was pinned by her mother, and her husband and their children stood at the ready with congratulatory hugs.
Timothy Allen was pinned by his partner, Davin Kortt.
Kayla Brosius was pinned by her parents.
Alicia Bjur was pinned by her young daughter, accompanied by her husband and son.
Timothy Allen with his partner Davin Kortt.
After all 27 new nurses had been pinned, they stood and in unison, recited the nursing pledge, pledging to uphold certain ethics and standards within their profession. It is a modified version of the Hippocratic Oath for doctors.
Nursing graduates already have applied for licensure in the state they want to work in. They have one final step to earn an “RN” after their name. They must pass a rigorous exam, the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-RN. It is a nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses in the U.S., Canada, and Australia.
Many of these nursing graduates shared their plans to continue their education. Many have transferred to Washington State University Vancouver and will begin working toward their bachelor’s degrees in the fall, thanks to a seamless transition between the two schools and their nursing programs. Others have chosen online programs. Many graduates are heading for a well-deserved vacation after completing Clark’s rigorous nursing program.
After the ceremony, nurses, their families, and supporters headed for the reception. Several families walked outside into the warm, sunny evening to take photos.
But still inside Gaiser Student Center, new nurse Vanessa Kuhn (above, left) posed for a photo with her family. Her young son was fidgety. And hungry. When were they going to eat, he asked? She reassured him that they could go to the reception and eat after they took a photo to remember this celebratory night.
A photo was taken, and nurse Vanessa Kuhn stepped toward her new career.
Megan’s Nursing Story
Megan Boucher(above) dreamed of being a nurse, but as the mom of three young boys, she stepped toward her dream gradually. First, Megan completed the phlebotomy certification at Clark. She worked as a phlebotomist for eight years before returning to Clark to complete her prerequisites for the nursing program.
Megan persevered through breast cancer treatment while completing her nursing degree and raising her children as a single mom. It’s been almost two years since her diagnosis, and she is responding very well to her treatment.
Now her sons are teenagers. Megan said, “My sons are my inspiration… Even when I want to give up, I know that they are watching and need their mom to be strong and not give up.”
Megan hopes that sharing her own story will encourage those going through difficult times to keep going.
At last, she’s reached her longtime goal: Registered Nurse, and has accepted her dream job as a hospice nurse at PeaceHealth’s Ray Hickey Hospice House.
She said, “My heart is with hospice nursing. I desire to provide emotional, physical, and spiritual care for my patients and their loved ones during the end-of-life process. It is an honor to be allowed to walk that road with them.”
Megan Boucher graduated winter term 2024, but she participated in the June 20, 2024, commencement ceremony.
History of Nursing at Clark
First nursing cohort to begin associate degree program: 1962
Number of total nursing graduates: 4,434
Number of nursing classes graduating: 147
Nursing Pledge
In full knowledge and understanding, I promise to care for the sick with all of the skill and understanding I possess, without regards to race, creed, color, politics, or social status, sparing no effort to preserve quality of life, alleviate suffering, and promote health. I will respect at all times the dignity and beliefs of the patients under my care, holding in confidence all personal information entrusted to me, and refraining from any action which may endanger life or health. I will endeavor to keep my professional knowledge and skills at the highest level and give loyal support and cooperation to all members of the health care team. I will do my utmost to honor the international code of ethics applied to nursing and uphold the integrity of the nurse.
Learn more about Clark College’s nursing program here.
Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish
Spaceport America Cup
Clark Aerospace stands with its Emperor Penguin rocket and other college rocket teams from 20 nations.
The Clark Aerospace team launched its rocket, Emperor Penguin, at the Spaceport America Cup competition in Las Cruces, New Mexico on June 19. The event is the world’s largest Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) for student rocketry teams. A total of 6,153 rocketeers representing 152 institutions in 20 nations participated in the June 17-22 competition. Clark College was one of only three community colleges that participated.
Arriving at Spaceport
Xiunu “Sophie” Lin, Ph.D., professor of physics and director of Clark’s Aerospace student program, sent this email greeting to all Clark staff and faculty from the event: “I am excited to share that the Clark College rocketry team, consisting of 11 travelers (2 advisors, 1 mentor, and 8 students, including 4 minorities—females and LGBTQ+) have all safely arrived in Las Cruces, New Mexico to compete in the 2024 Spaceport America Cup Competition. We will be competing in the SRAD (Student Researched and Developed Motor) 10,000-foot category.”
Clark Aerospace at 2024 Spaceport America Cup with Emperor Penguin rocket. Photo by Tahoma Photography
Clark Aerospace students who participated in Spaceport America Cup:
Ethan Lloyd Walters
Vyacheslav Timofeyevich Lukiyanchuk
Alex Ramsey Kari
Rebekah Anne Irvin
Mia Juniper Autumn
Sydney Anne Erickson
Max Vaughn Baugess
Bladen Boone Mitchell
Professor Lin said, “Applaud for these students for the hard work they put together to make this launch possible.”
Emperor Penguin launching during 2024 Spaceport America Cup.
Clark Aerospace rocket specs:
Spaceport America Cup team number: 19
Rocket name: “Emperor Penguin”
Length: 122 inches
Weight: 71 pounds
Professor Lin explained that each team must work efficiently and compete to launch their rocket as early as possible. Teams that launch during the first two days earn extra points. The Clark Aerospace rocketry team passed the safety check for their rocket on Monday, the first day of competition. They made the recommended changes on Tuesday, and had their rocket ready for launch on Wednesday, the event’s first launch day.
Launches are halted if the surface wind speed is higher than 18 miles per hour. Clark’s rocket was on the launch pad and ready to be launched when winds suddenly gusted up to 24 miles per hour, causing event officials to halt all launches until the wind calmed down. Five minutes later, launches resumed.
Professor Lin said, “The rocket’s M motor was armed, and after 5 to 8 seconds of delay, it took off beautifully, leaving a trail of black-brown smoke behind.”
She sent this email update to Clark faculty and staff: “Yesterday, we launched our rocket before a thunderstorm hit the launch area, destroying the majority of the tents, and halting the rest of the launches that day.”
She added, “As the team advisor, I want to share that our journey to complete this project has been challenging. I often describe my experience as riding a roller coaster. It is a significant achievement that we made it to this competition. Clark College’s rocketry team is the only community college competing in the 10K SRAD (Student Researched and Developed) category. Our students have put in tremendous time and effort to build this project, wandering through many failures before they can make this journey possible. They are proud and excited to represent Clark College in this competition.”
Fall 2023: A team of six Clark students, an advisor, and a mentor was organized by the Clark Aerospace program to build a rocket for the 2024 Spaceport America Cup. The team spent about six months building the rocket for the competition. After flight tests and modifications, they had a rocket ready for the competition.
Clark Aerospace stands next to their Emperor Penguin rocket at the launch pad.
April 19, 2024, in Corvallis, Oregon: First Static Test on a 4-grains SRAD (Student Researched and Developed) motor under the help and support from the Rocketry team from Oregon State University. The test was conducted using a structure assembled by our own students.
April 26, 2024, in Brothers, Oregon: First test launch of Clark Aerospace’s Spaceport America contender, Emperor Penguin in the central Oregon desert. Professor Lin said: “The rocket soared to an altitude of 7,200 feet before safely landing approximately 0.5 miles from the launch pad. Despite a glitch in the GPS system onboard the rocket, the team successfully located it utilizing a radio tracker, with an unexpected assist from a team member and her dog, who managed to find the rocket before the radio tracker.”
May 18-19, 2024, in Brothers, Oregon: Second Static Motor Test on a 4-grains SRAD motor that measured both pressure and thrust.
June 2, 2024, in Brothers, Oregon: Third Static Motor test of our SRAD 6-grain motor for the ERSA competition. Performed above expectations, with expected pressure and higher than expected thrust.”
June 19, 2024, in Las Cruces, New Mexico: At Spaceport America Cup: Clark Aerospace students successfully launch their rocket, Emperor Penguin.
Clark Aerospace
The next challenge for Clark Aerospace: Building their project to compete in the next Spaceport America Cup competition in June 2025. The team plans to make their own motor, build a six-inch diameter rocket, and compete in the SRAD (Student Researched and Designed) 10,000-foot category.
Interested in joining? Clark Aerospace is looking for interested Clark students to join them. No prior experience with rockets is required. Clark’s Aerospace Club actively participates in science, technology, engineering, and math-based experiential project/aerospace design competitions, and students also attend launch events, museums, and aerospace-related activities. Email Clark Aerospace at clarkaerospace1@gmail.com
About Spaceport America Cup
Spaceport America Cup is the world’s largest intercollegiate rocketry conference and competition held in Las Cruces, New Mexico annually in June at Spaceport America, the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport. Spaceport America Cup is made possible by a partnership between Spaceport America and the Experimental Sounding Rocket Association (ESRA).
The event showcases the technical prowess of thousands of the world’s most intellectually gifted college students centered around the field of intercollegiate rocketry. During the event, 36 awards were presented. The 2024 Spaceport America Cup winner was University of Maryland; runner up was Istanbul Technical University.
2024 Spaceport by the numbers
6,153 total participating rocketeers (77% male; 23% female)
152 teams
86 U.S. teams representing 35 states
66 international teams representing 6 continents
Teams represented 20 countries: Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, The Philippines, Poland, Romania, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States
Teams of engineering students stood outside the STEM Building engrossed in testing the transforming catapults they had designed and built. How many foam balls would their catapult successfully throw into the target buckets? Could their catapult quickly transform from stationary to mobile, and would it be fast enough to cross the finish line before the clock ran out?
Every term, Engineering professors Tina Barsotti and Carol Hsu pose a real-world problem to their students and instruct them to design and build an object that solves the problem. Teams of students work together. At the end of each term, teams present their prototype to their peers, explaining their process and materials used. Finally, teams test their designs.
The spring 2024 challenge: Design and build a transforming catapult with two stages: stationary and moveable.
Requirements:
The catapult must pass under a twelve-inch bridge and shoot foam balls into target buckets placed at various distances.
The catapult must remain stationary while shooting.
It must transform into a moveable form before and after shooting the balls.
A student may not push the catapult across the finish line.
Timed test: Five minutes maximum was allowed for their mobile design to move from the starting line to the testing center, to transform to a stationary catapult, then to propel foam balls at the target, to transform back into moveable form, and finally to cross the finish line.
Materials: Student teams used various materials to build their catapult. Popular choices included radio control cars, lightweight wood, balsa craft sticks, cardboard, plastic cups, springs, string, rubber bands, and wheels and axles from a toy car. Some teams used high-tech carbon fiber, PET-CF, and TPU 3D printing filament to create parts of their catapult vehicle. Although all catapults shared some characteristics, such as wheels, a base, a long arm, and a bucket, each catapult looked different from the others.
Most teams were outside the STEM Building awaiting their turn to test their project. But not all teams had completed building their design. Team Proto A and a few other teams who were finishing their catapults worked at tables in the collaboratorium. Students wielded drills, glue guns, duct tape, and string to put the finishing touches on their designs before taking them outside to test them in front of their professors and their peers.
Each team took a turn running their catapult transformer through the course while other teams watched, cheered, and offered encouragement. Now was the moment of truth for Team Proto T and its “Squirrel Defeater” transforming catapult. It completed the tasks and crossed the finish line with 12 seconds to spare.
