The Healthy Penguin Nation wellness program conducted by human resources and the college well-being team has been awarded the Zo8 Award for 2024 by the Washington State Health Care Authority. The award is given to employers who promote wellness to support employees and their families by sharing resources and conducting wellness initiatives focusing on enhancing health, reducing health and injury risks, and improving overall health and well-being.  

This is the second time Clark College has received the wellness award. The college last won a Zo8 award in 2016.  

Each year, Washington Wellness honors organizations with the Zo8 award for their achievements in building, growing, and maintaining an effective health program. Organizations are invited to apply to highlight their institution’s wellness program and initiatives throughout the year to Washington Wellness.  

Clark College received the Zo8 award by promoting health and well-being through the College’s Healthy Penguin Nation program to the college community through newsletters, events, discounts, presentations, fairs, campus emails, promoting programs such as the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and SmartHealth, a Washington Wellness program for eligible PEBB (Public Employees Benefits Board) employees, which offers employees an annual $125 wellness incentive.   

About Clark’s Healthy Penguin Nation wellness program

The Healthy Penguin Nation program is a college-wide initiative to create a culture of well-being in support of the state of Washington’s initiative to promote healthy lifestyle practices in the workplace. 

We aim to engage, educate, and empower the Clark College Community in healthy behaviors by developing, implementing, and supporting various wellness activities based on solid research and best practices. As the Wellness Team, we encourage the Clark College Community to thoughtfully consider their relationship to health and prioritize well-being for each other. 

We do this by adhering to a holistic model of well-being that focuses on the whole person—offering a wide range of resources that support employees on their wellness journeys in Eight Dimensions that influence overall well-being. 

• Employee Assistance Program 
• Healthy Recipes 
• Penguin Paths 
• SmartHealth Incentive 
• Walktober Challenge! 
• Wellness Champions 
• Wellness Discounts 
• Well-being Team 

Find upcoming Healthy Penguin Nation wellness events: Calendar. Learn more here. 

About the Zo8 Award 

Each year, Washington Wellness recognizes organizations with our Zo8 Award for their achievement in building, growing, and sustaining an effective wellness program. A wellness program aims to help employees and their family members be their best through positive behavior changes. These changes focus on enhancing well-being, reducing health and injury risks, and improving overall health. Washington Wellness encourages organizations to use the SmartHealth Workplace Wellness Roadmap. It is an eight-step process based on industry-preferred practices to help build the infrastructure for a sustainable wellness program. The roadmap can help organizations plan for and target key areas for success. The Zo8 award represents the organization’s commitment to its employees’ well-being.  

To learn more about the Zo8 award visit the Washington State Healthcare Authority website. 

What do Zo8 award winners receive? Washington Wellness celebrates Zo8 award winners during an annual recognition ceremony. Winning organizations receive a physical award, certificates for contributing members, and a logo to use in publications, signature lines, and websites to recognize their achievements.  

About the Zo8 logo  

• Name Zo: In Greek, it means “live.”  
• Number 8: The eight steps in our wellness program project plan guide. 
•  Logo shape: Flower of Life pattern is known to inspire.  
• Colors: Based on the four elements that support life (air, earth, water, and fire)

Eight Dimensions of Well-being 

Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards delivered the annual State of the College address on February 14 in a packed Gaiser Student Center. The event originally was scheduled for January but was postponed due to a week of snow and ice. The space was filled with faculty, staff, students, members of the college’s board of trustees, Clark College Foundation staff and board members and community supporters.  

Emma Sturm, president of the Associated Students of Clark College (ASCC) kicked off the event and gave a report on increased student participation in college clubs and ASCC’s efforts to increase student engagement in campus activities.  

“It’s working!” Emma said. “More than 200 students participated in our ‘Barbie’ movie night.” 

Ray’s story 

Student and veteran Ray Jackson shared his Clark journey. After completing his U.S. Navy service, Ray enrolled at Clark in 2010, but he dropped out due to mental health issues, later diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. After working various jobs, he realized he needed more skills to be successful. His vocational and rehabilitation counselor at the Veterans Administration suggested he return to Clark College. 

So, in 2019, a decade after he’d started at Clark, Ray returned to Clark and earned an AAT degree in Machining Technology in June 2021, but realized he didn’t want to work in a machine shop with loud noises.  

Ray didn’t give up. He leaned into his interest in IT and earned his CompTIA A+ IT certification, an entry-level IT credential, which propelled him to return to Clark and earn an associate in applied technology degree in Network Technology in December 2023. Ray wanted to go further still. He returned to Clark yet again winter term 2024—this time to pursue a bachelor of applied science degree in Cybersecurity.  

Along Ray’s journey, he navigated college studies and parenthood with the help of several Clark College student support services, including the Veterans Center of Excellence, Disability Support Services, Advising Services, Financial Aid, Penguin Pantry, Counseling and Health Center, Child and Family Studies, and more. Ray thanked a long list of Clark programs, departments, and people for helping him be successful. 

Accomplishments and looking ahead 

During her speech, President Edwards announced that the college’s equity-centered strategic plan was approved by the college’s board of trustees last fall and provides a framework for all the college does. The new strategic plan is centered on students—to educate, empower, and elevate them to achieve their personal and professional goals. It also underscores a commitment to student success, empowerment, and equity. 

Community partnerships and philanthropy are essential for supporting student and college needs. President Edwards expressed gratitude for the ongoing support of Clark College Foundation and the community. Notably, a $1 million gift from the Cowlitz Indian Tribe will launch the Clark College Innovation Fund that will address pressing needs and drive innovation. Clark College Foundation has awarded more than $85 million over the past 50 years. This year alone, the foundation has awarded $2 million that directly assists more than 550 students.  

In addition, Clark has disbursed $24.5 million in financial aid from other funding sources, including state and federal grants and loans and community scholarships.  

Recently, the college was awarded a $2.2 million Title III Strengthening Institutions grant from the U.S. Department of Education primarily for increasing student completion rates. 

The college budget and its financial sources focus on supporting Clark College’s commitment to provide affordable education. Clark offers more than 100 degrees and certificates in over 70 programs, including 5 bachelor of applied science degrees. The annual tuition is $4,907 for 45 credits (during 3 terms). And 70% of Clark students transfer to four-year universities. 

Enrollment has increased by more than 10% this academic year compared to the 2022-23 academic year. Approximately 8,683 students enrolled during the Fall and Winter terms, translating to 5,932 full-time equivalent students. Increased enrollment is expected to impact the budget positively, reducing the need to use the fund balance as the college had to do in previous years during and immediately following the pandemic. 

New programs, degrees, and expansion of academic offerings are driven by community needs and workforce demands. The college will add a Civil Engineering Technology and Construction Management program, a Food Service Operations certificate, and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree that was recently approved on February 1. 

The programs under development include:  

• Clean Energy Technician program that will expand the college’s existing Mechatronic Technology and Automotive Technology programs to meet high-demand jobs. 
• Surgical Technician program will be the first in Southwest Washington. Pending final approval in May, graduates of the two-year program will earn an Associate of Applied Technology (AAT) degree in Surgical Technology.  

Additionally, the Advanced Manufacturing Center is currently under construction at the college’s Ridgefield location at Boschma Farms. Scheduled to open in fall 2025, this center will serve up to 1,200 students per term.  

Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives remain top priorities at Clark College. Achievements include increased diversity in hiring and ongoing professional development initiatives. In addition, the college organizes The Northwest Regional Equity Conference, now in its fifth year. The conference plays a pivotal role in promoting equitable experiences for historically underrepresented students and employees. 

Looking ahead, reflecting on the college’s achievements, President Edwards expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of faculty, staff, and the community. As Clark College looks toward the future, she said it remains committed to student success, expanding program offerings, and strengthening community partnerships. Clark College continues to be a beacon of opportunity and excellence in the region. 

Dr. Edwards said, “In a prior State of the College address, I drew inspiration from Michelle Obama’s memoir Becoming to frame our work here at the college. In her book, the former first lady emphasizes that becoming is an ongoing journey, not a fixed destination. I share her belief that maintaining the status quo leads to stagnation, and meaningful change requires breaking out of familiar patterns. She also said that ‘it is possible to have our feet planted in reality but pointed in the direction of progress. We may live in the world as it is, but we can still work to create the world as it should be.’” 

She said, “Today, I want to recognize our ongoing journey of becoming a beacon of hope, opportunities, and transformation rooted in social justice while providing excellent and equitable education.” 

Dr. Edwards added, “This journey hasn’t been without its challenges, including the ongoing effects of a global pandemic, declines in nationwide enrollment, and two years of substantial resource reductions, all while expanding services to meet the evolving needs of our students.” 

Then people gathered around for coffee, tea, and delicious heart-shaped cookies made by students in the Professional Baking and Pastry Arts program especially for the State of the College address on Valentine’s Day. 

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley
View more photos from the event on our Flickr Page.

International Day organized by Clark’s International Programs was a roaring success on February 13.

A line of preschoolers from Child and Family Studies walked into Gaiser Student Center with their teachers and immediately expressed delight at the array of activities happening around the room—including drummers, a flying dragon, martial arts, and belly dancing. The children seemed eager to try everything.

Alumni shine

Three Clark alumni shared their expertise with the Clark community during the event:

• Artist Christian Barrios was on hand at the unveiling of the mural “Coming Together for Art and Peace.” He designed the mural. It was painted by Clark students, staff, and faculty during a community mural project on campus during International Education Week last November. Barrios had taken the mural back to his studio to add outlines and a black background. He finished it with a protective coat. Later the mural will be installed near the coffee shop in Joan Stout Hall.
• Author Moses Korir read aloud his new children’s book, Moses and the Impossible Piano that tells his story of growing up in a village in Kenya, encountering a piano for the first time, and then embarking on a life-changing educational journey to the United States to follow his dream of becoming a music teacher.
• Belly dancing instructor Dr. Ona Parker taught a basic belly dancing lesson with about three dozen enthusiastic students, faculty, staff, and preschool children moving their hips to the music. Dr. Parker was an international student at Clark College and later was a faculty member.

In addition, students from McClaskey Culinary Institute and the Professional Baking and Pastry Arts program prepared empanadas, falafel, salad rolls, and salted dulce le leche blonde brownies. People waited in a long line to sample the delights.

Other highlights

• A video of Clark College international students talking about their experience
• Kendo Dojo demonstration by Camas Kendo Dojo
• Chinese drummers and dragon demonstration by Oregon Chinese Coalition · Information about the Study Abroad program
• Henna tattoos by Glitter Ruby’s
• Making origami penguins
• Much more

About International Programs

International Programs provides support services and opportunities to foster a global perspective and cross-cultural competence for Clark College and the communities it serves. The program also offers an intensive English Language program. During the 2023-24 academic year, Clark College has 57 international students. Learn more here.

In the sloping field between McLoughlin Boulevard and the softball field, the Penguin softball team gathered around Steven Clark, biology professor, and Bee Campus project manager.

First, he talked for a few minutes about the importance of native bees. He told them Clark is a certified Bee Campus that plants native wildflowers to attract native pollinators.

Because native wildflower seeds are expensive, costing about $160 per pound, Professor Clark explained the importance of scattering a handful of seeds over a wide area. Holding a sack of native wildflower seeds, he demonstrated the preferred seed-sowing technique.

Then directing the players to form a line and spread out, he walked down the line as each player grabbed a handful of seeds.

Sweeping their arms back and forth, the softball teammates sowed seeds as they walked uphill. With so many hands helping, the job was quickly completed.

The Penguin softball team was just one group of students, faculty, and staff who helped Professor Clark sow 18 pounds of seeds on about three acres in several areas around campus in mid-February. All these areas were seeded last spring, too.

As winter turns to spring and warmer weather arrives, the seeds will sprout. Wildflowers will bloom. The bees will emerge from being dormant underground and will feast on wildflower pollen.

Bee campus by the numbers:

• Acres sown with native wildflower seeds: 3
• Pounds of seeds sown: 18
• Informational Bee Signs around campus: 11

Campus Bee Gardens include:

• STEM Building
• Clark College Foundation
• Foster Hall
• Baird Administration
• Clark College sign at McLoughlin Blvd. and Fort Vancouver Way
• McLoughlin Blvd. and softball field (across from Marshall Community Center)
• And more

Map of Bee Campus gardens

Certified Bee Campus

In April 2023, Clark College earned certification as a Bee Campus affiliate, becoming the fifth college in Washington to earn that distinction. A Bee Campus USA affiliate is a college campus that includes a bee habitat.

In the spring of 2023, students, staff, visitors, and, importantly, bees, saw native flowers sprouting up in gardens across campus. These flowers and natural areas where bees can make nests and lay eggs are helping Clark establish this bee habitat. Clark College—and other Bee Campus USA affiliates—show that the built environment (such as campuses, neighborhoods, city parks, and even roadsides) can feature a thoughtful design that allows bees to thrive in shared areas.

What’s happening with the Bee Campus in 2024?

Tilling the soil: Last fall after the wildflowers had finished blooming, aggressive non-native grass overwhelmed many of the Bee Gardens. Tilling disrupts the non-native grasses, so they do not overwhelm flowers.

Planting more flower seeds: The flowers from last summer self-seeded into the soil, reducing the number of seeds that needed to be sown this spring. However, tilling the soil drove some seeds too deep into the soil to germinate, so Professor Clark ensured some extra seeds were sown.

Bee signs: Eleven informational bee signs were erected around campus last December. Now people can read about the biology of bees, where they nest, what they eat, how many species we have, and much more.

Native bees in winter: It’s unlikely to see bees on campus this winter because the bees are safe underground. Most of the adult bees that flew from flower to flower last spring and summer have died, but the eggs they laid (mostly underground) have hatched and are progressing toward adulthood. They will develop into adult bees this winter, but the new adult bees will stay underground until the flowers bloom. Although thousands of bees are on campus right now, they are dormant underground and are waiting for the flowers of spring.

Learn more at Bee Campus (clark.edu)

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish

Chef Earl Frederick has cooked elegant meals for discriminating diners—from a former president to Club Med movers and shakers.  

But the Clark Cuisine instructor’s roots started with humble, downhome cooking. As a boy, he learned to cook alongside his grandmother, Susie Lovely Lewis in her kitchen in small town Ellenville in upstate New York. 

Chef Earl shared his story—and his delicious food—with Clark students, faculty, and staff at the Winter Student of Color Luncheon on February 6. The free event is presented each term by Clark’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Multicultural Student Affairs. It provides opportunities for students to be encouraged by inspiring stories, meet faculty and new friends, consider different career paths, and identify community resources and potential mentors. 

Chef Earl designed the luncheon menu to represent Black History Month—with a nod to his beloved grandmother and her specialties: fried chicken, collard greens, cornbread, and red velvet cupcakes. To that, he added some of his favorites, including pork loin and Jambalaya with Cajun sausage.  

The delicious meal was prepared by Clark’s Cuisine students under the watchful eye of Chef Earl, who emphasizes cooking from scratch with no shortcuts. His students smoked pork loin and made Cajun sausage.  

Cooking with grandmother 

While appreciative Clark diners savored the meal, Chef Earl shared family photos and told his story. A child of separated parents, he divided his time between the big city of Yonkers, New York, and small-town Ellenville. Family is important to Chef Earl. His grandmother had 13 siblings, so he was surrounded by aunts, uncles, and cousins.  

One uncle got him interested in sports, encouraged him to play basketball, and got him to consider college. Another uncle modeled growing your own food and being sustainable.  

Because his father was a preacher, he says he grew up in the church. “I’m a preacher’s kid,” he said. “Church wasn’t just Sunday for me. It was every day—and all day on Sunday.” 

In the church kitchen, he helped his grandmother prepare meals for the congregation.  

He said, “At one point, I realized I was the only boy helping in the kitchen.” 

But he didn’t care. He liked to cook. And he was good at it. 

He shared an old photo of the church choir of his youth. He said, “All of those people never made it past sixth grade. On her deathbed, my grandmother told me to get an education. No one could take it away from me.” 

He did follow his grandmother’s advice to get an education, but his educational journey included bumps in the road and detours. 

Navigating rough patches 

When he was in high school, like many teens, he made some choices that did not please his family, particularly his beloved grandmother. Eventually, he was missing so many credits that he would not be able to graduate with his class. 

He was introduced to the local alternative school and told: “Either you don’t graduate, or you go here.” 

So, he enrolled in Ulster BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) Career & Technical Center. One of the selling points was its culinary program.  

“This place saved my life,” Chef Earl said. 

Chef Earl holds a baking and pastry diploma from Oregon Culinary Institute, a certificate in hospitality administration from University of Hawaii at Manoa, an associate degree in culinary arts from Johnson & Wales University, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Warner Pacific University. He also is a certified American Culinary Federation executive chef. 

After graduating from Johnson & Wales University at age 19, his first job was working in the kitchens at Walt Disney World. Throughout his career, Chef Earl has worked in kitchens in Intel, Club Med, and Nike, and taught culinary skills to Job Corps students and The Portland Kitchen, an after-school culinary and job skills program. 

Paying it forward 

Chef Earl has volunteered his expertise to many nonprofits focused on food, including serving on the board of directors for Vancouver Farmers Market.  

In 2017, Chef Earl returned to the alternative school where he entered the pathway to become Chef Earl. He visited the culinary arts classroom, shared his expertise, and led a food preparation demonstration. It was a full-circle experience for him. He advised students to never destroy relationships they could benefit from later. Read about his visit here. 

In 2022 he was named a NextLevel Postsecondary CTE Leadership Fellow through the Association for Career and Technical Education. 

Chef Earl has been teaching Cuisine students at Clark College since 2016. What he enjoys the most about teaching at Clark is “engaging with the students. I also enjoy when they come back and visit and tell me how successful they are!”  

His grandmother would be proud of his achievements. 

Most memorable meal 

Although he has prepared countless delicious meals, one of the most memorable was when he was a chef at Club Med Crested Butte, a ski resort in Colorado.  

“I had the opportunity to cook for former President Jimmy Carter, then with the Carter Foundation. I made Duck à l’Orange, a classic French dish,” he said. “I still remember that day. Jimmy Carter told me it was the best he’d ever tasted!” 

Chef Earl’s words of wisdom 

• “Food is my life. Bringing people together. Breaking bread together. Community.” 
• “When I was young, I went through a time when I was getting into trouble. My grandmother said, ‘You represent my name. Don’t put any bad ju-ju out there with my name.’” 
• “On her deathbed, my grandmother told me to get an education. No one can take that away from you.” 
• “I’m a preacher’s kid. Church wasn’t just on Sunday for me.” 
• “There’s nothing you can do about the past, but you can change the future.” 
• “Never burn bridges because you never know if you need to cross them again.” 
• “Don’t just talk about it. Be about it.”  

Advice to students 

“Building relationships is important. You never know how that person can help you in the future.” 

“Be persistent. I applied for more than 150 scholarships in the days before the internet. I applied for many scholarships where I thought I wouldn’t have a chance to get it—but I got it because I was the only student who applied. I got 53 scholarships. I applied for this teaching job at Clark College three times before I was hired. Don’t give up.” 

Fun Facts about Chef Earl 

• He writes and performs spoken word poetry 
• Favorite spoken-word poet: Earl Simmons aka DMX 
• Favorite dish to make: Jamaican curried oxtail with rice and peas  
• Favorite food to eat: New York pizza or fresh pasta 
• Favorite restaurant: Cochon in New Orleans, LA 
• Go-to comfort food: Cast-iron fried chicken, braised collard greens, rice and cornbread 

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish

The Veterans Center of Excellence at Clark College (VCOE) hosted an informational session with Lt. Col. Natasha Waggoner, Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps instructor from the University of Portland on February 5. More than a dozen Clark students participated in this opportunity to learn about the AFROTC program and options available to them.  

The AFROTC program at University of Portland has consortium agreements with Clark College and more than a dozen other colleges in the Portland-Vancouver metro area that allow students at those institutions to participate in the University of Portland’s AFROTC program at no additional cost to the student. Students who participate in AFROTC must attend weekly AFROTC classes at the University of Portland. 

The Air Force is interested in recruiting cybersecurity professionals. Professor Dwight Hughes, the director of Clark College’s Cybersecurity Bachelor of Applied Science program, joined Lt. Col. Waggoner in talking with students about opportunities for collaboration between the college’s Cybersecurity program and AFROTC, including career development, military job opportunities and Air Force ROTC guest speakers in cybersecurity classes. 

Full-time students may be eligible to join the AFROTC program at University of Portland, whether they are enrolled in a bachelor’s program at Clark or completing a bachelor’s degree at another college where AFROTC has an agreement.  

About AFROTC 

Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC): 

• Must be a full-time college student pursuing a bachelor’s degree 
• Eligibility is determined by Air Force ROTC 
• Opportunity to become an Air Force officer after completing a bachelor’s degree 
• Designed to prepare the student for active duty as an officer with increased responsibility year after year 
• AFROTC offers numerous programs and scholarship opportunities leading to an academic degree and a commission in the Air Force as a second lieutenant 

Learn more about AFROTC at University of Portland: 

• Web: www.up.edu/afrotc/
• Email: rotc695@up.edu 
• Phone: 503-943-7216 

About the Veterans Center of Excellence 

The Clark College Veterans Center of Excellence coordinates comprehensive support services for veteran students. These support services address academic, financial, physical, and social needs for student veterans and include math, science, and English tutors; textbook and calculator loans; textbook purchase; quiet study space; computer lab with printers; practical workshops; break area with comfortable furniture, piano, air hockey table, TV screen and more. To learn more, click here or visit PUB 015. 

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Biology student Lemman Gurre sat at a high bistro-style table next to the wall of windows in the new MESA Center on the third floor of the STEM Building. From her third-floor vantage point, she could see the campus, a ribbon of the Columbia River, and Portland’s hills. In the quiet study space, she took notes as she read from her laptop screen.  

Since the MESA Center opened fall term, the space has been well used by students. Director of MESA Román Lara said students use the center to study, plug in their laptops to work, use the center’s printer, check out textbooks from the lending library, or stop in for a snack and quiet moment between classes. The inner room offers large whiteboards and tables for students to study alone or to work on group projects. 

• In the reception area, MESA ambassadors, Maisy Pantua Sibayan and Karina Hottinger connect with students, welcome them to the space, and schedule students to use the space. Both are current Clark students pursuing STEM studies.  
• In the bright lounge, comfortable upholstered furniture in chartreuse, orange, and aqua invites students to sit in the quiet space to work on their classwork, study, or take a break. Students also can grab a snack in the kitchenette which includes a microwave, toaster oven, refrigerator, coffee pot, and hot water for tea. 

What is MESA? 

MESA (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement) is a national program designed to increase the number of historically underrepresented populations to succeed in STEM fields. This includes African American, Native American, Latino/Hispanic, and Pacific Islander/Hawaiian and women community college students who transfer to universities and earn STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) bachelor’s degrees.  

At Clark, this includes a dedicated space for studying and creating community, as well as opportunities for mentorship, assistance with books and fees, conference participation, campus visits, and more. 

Clark College began its MESA program during the 2018-19 academic year. The program can serve up to 100 students and currently serves more than 80 students. Between 20 and 30 students are very active in the program. Others use the basic services, such as the textbook lending library. Learn more about Clark’s MESA program here. 

Campus and industry tours 

During fall term, Lara took a group of second-year Clark students to Seattle to attend a transfer student preview event at the University of Washington. Students learned about UW’s admission and application process, took a guided tour of the campus, and attended program-specific sessions, including a 3D printing demonstration. Some students had the opportunity to meet with academic advisors.  

Lara is planning to take MESA students to tour the campuses of Portland State University and Washington State University Vancouver during winter term.  

He also is planning industry tours for MESA students to visit local employers who hire STEM graduates. His wish list includes ABSCI, Boeing, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, and Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. 

He also promotes opportunities for undergraduate internships and research opportunities to MESA students and is always on the lookout for new opportunities. MESA students will be eligible to apply for undergraduate research opportunities at WSU Vancouver during the summer.  

Eligibility for MESA: 

• Belong to historically underrepresented populations in STEM, including Black/African American, Indigenous/Native American, Latino/Hispanic, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and women in STEM. 
• Be a first-generation college student whose parents did not receive a bachelor’s degree 
• Intend to earn a bachelor’s degree in a STEM major 
• Be a citizen or resident of the U.S., DACA eligible or undocumented 
• Come from an economically disadvantaged background 
• Do not hold currently hold a bachelor’s degree in any field 

Services MESA provides: 

• MESA Center in STEM Building Room 358 
• Academic advising and transfer planning 
• Academic excellence workshops 
• Textbook lending library 
• Internship, research, and scholarship opportunities 
• University campus and industry visits 
• Professional development workshops 

About Washington MESA 

The Washington MESA program is an educational pathway program administered by the University of Washington and established by the Washington State Legislature. Clark College is one of 12 community colleges in Washington that offers a MESA transfer prep program center for its students who plan to transfer to a four-year college to earn a bachelor’s degree. Learn more here. 

Thanks to the student musicians, band directors, chaperons, family, and community members who attended the 60^th Annual Clark College Jazz Festival from January 25-27. Nearly 60 middle school and high school jazz bands performed and delighted the appreciative audience—from toddlers to seniors. I’m pleased to announce the 2024 Jazz Festival results. 

The top award of the competition is the Dale Beacock Memorial Sweepstakes trophy, named after the Clark College band instructor who brought the jazz festival to our campus so many years ago.  

Top award: 2024 Dale Beacock Memorial Sweepstakes trophy: Bothell High School Jazz 1, Bothell 

View the Results

Middle School Silver Division Jazz Ensemble: 

• 1^st place: Beaumont Middle School, Portland 
• 2^nd place: Chief Umtuch Middle School, Battle Ground 
• 3^rd place: Eckstein Middle School, Seattle 

Outstanding Middle School Jazz Musicians: 

Aspire Middle School, Lacey 

• Dylan Her  
• Nate Richardson 

Beaumont Middle School, Portland 

• Marilyn Ruthruff 
• Iris Ruthruff 
• Nate Lyon 

Chehalis Middle School, Chehalis 

• Ben Mittge  
• Maxton Hill 

Chief Umtuch Middle School, Battle Ground 

• Gavin DeMoss 
• Eli Lennick 

Eckstein Middle School, Seattle 

• Emily Chen  
• Ellie Bailey  
• Margo Cox  
• Oren Sternberg 

Hockinson Middle School, Brush Prairie 

• Oliver Armstrong 

Laurin Middle School, Battle Ground 

• Cody Halley 
• London Coy 

Liberty Middle School, Camas 

• Rowan Armintrout 
• Charlotte Summers 
• Katie Evert 

Skyridge Middle School, Camas 

• Elliot Foster 
• Daniel Liu  
• Jacob Weinstock 

South Whidbey Middle School, Langley 

• Lhamo Doryang 
• Judah Macarro 
• Dante Churchill 

Vancouver School of Arts and Academics, Vancouver 

• Danica Jahr  
• Zach Pan 

View Ridge Middle School, Ridgefield 

• Lizzy Bloom 

Wy’east Middle School, Vancouver 

• Tyson Ruark 
• Henry Ormson 

A Division—Outstanding Jazz Ensemble:      

• 1^st place: South Whidbey High School, Langley 
• 2^nd place: Seton Catholic High School, Vancouver 
• 3^rd place: Tukes Valley Middle School, Battle Ground 

A Division—Outstanding High School Musicians: 

Adna Middle/High School, Adna 

• Jordan Stout  
• Myra Medina 

Columbia High School, White Salmon 

• Anna Zendt – Columbia High School, White Salmon 
• August Peterson – Columbia High School, White Salmon 

Concordia Christian Academy, Tacoma 

• Danny McCarthy 
• Jason Nguyen 

Henrietta Lacks High School, Vancouver 

• Jeremy Solis  
• Graham Rank  

La Center High School, La Center 

• Kristin Dunlap 
• Dominic Stub  
• Aleks Chygasov 

Seton Catholic High School, Vancouver 

• Joseph DiPrima 
• Parker Zaemann 
• Kyler Dixon  
• Stephen Samwel 

South Whidbey High School, Langley 

• Olin Nelson 
• Corbyn Orchard 

Tukes Valley Middle School, Battle Ground 

• Lincoln Toland 
• Jackson Pierce 
• Basil Middlemas  

Woodland Middle/High School, Woodland 

• Stacti Dore 
• Emma McCaullough  
• Sam Purcell  
• Harland Wakefield  

AA Division—High School Jazz Ensemble: 

• 1^st place: Hockinson High School, Brush Prairie 
• 2^nd place (tie): Richland High School Freshman, Richland 
• 2^nd place (tie): Lakewood High School, Lakewood 

AA Division—Outstanding Middle School and High School Musicians:  

Battle Ground High School, Battle Ground 

• Hayden McCarty 
• Chloe Kalson 

Bishop Blanchet High School, Seattle 

• Zandy Owens 

Columbia River High School, Vancouver 

• Preston White 

Heritage High School, Vancouver 

• Naomi Halbrook 
• Cynthia Reyes-Mendoza  
• Jocelyn Cole 

Hockinson High School, Brush Prairie 

• Thilo Kluth  
• Jack Smith  
• Levi Brown 
• Adam Haunreiter  
• Blake Bruning 

Lakewood High School, North Lakewood 

• Leo Sandoval  
• Isaias Fuentes-Palominos 

Richland High School, Richland 

• Henry Van Mason 
• Victor Zinchuk 

Ridgefield High School, Ridgefield 

• Michael Grove  

W.F. West High School, Chehalis 

• Amanda Linwood  
• Parker Morrison  

AAA Division—High School Jazz Ensemble:             

• 1^st place: Heritage High School Jazz I, Vancouver 
• 2^nd place: Bothell High School Jazz II, Bothell 
• 3^rd place: Battle Ground High School Intermediate Jazz I, Battle Ground 

AAA Division—Outstanding High School Musicians: 

Battle Ground High School, Battle Ground 

• Logan Gillespie  
• Janae Clark 

Bothell High School, Bothell 

• Christian Oversvee-Choi  
• Nathan Bardsley  
•  Sachita Kadievelu  
• Aliah Bragg 

Grant High School, Portland 

• Nathan Lauruhn 

Heritage High School, Vancouver 

• Gavin Williamson 

Kamiak High School, Mukilteo 

• Heidi Anderson  
• Ryan Jackson 

Ingraham High School, Seattle 

• Maggie Roth  
• Felix Lewis 

Lake Stevens High School, Lake Stevens 

• Allison Llubit  
• Mark Rodeheaver 

Prairie High School, Battle Ground 

• Kyle Davenport  
• Judah Bollock 

Richland High School, Richland 

• Cannon West  
• Tyler Hornell 

Skyview High School, Vancouver 

• Liam Purcell 
• Cadence Sempk 

Union High School, Camas  

• Cooper Givens  
• Kieran Iyer  

Vancouver School of Arts and Academics, Vancouver 

• Sam Arslanian  
• McKelvey Brewer 

AAAA Division—High School Jazz Ensemble:          

• 1^st place: Bothell High School Jazz I, Seattle 
• 2^nd place: Lake Stevens High School Jazz I, Lake Stevens 
• 3^rd place: Grant High School Jazz I, Portland 

AAAA Division—Outstanding High School Musicians: 

Battle Ground High School, Battle Ground 

• Andie Townsend 
• Carter Stafford 

Bothell High School, Bothell 

• Dylan Reed  
• Thomas Holmes  
• Aaron Mamula 
• Nicholas Ang 

Buchanan High School, Clovis, Calif. 

• Kono Tiyaamornwong  
• Will Damrose  
• Trevor Nix 

Edmonds-Woodway High School, Edmonds 

• Gavin Bunbury  
• Addisyn Johnson 

Grant High School, Portland 

• Sasha Burns  
• Xander Buck  
• Oli Rangle 

Ingraham High School, Seattle 

• Henry Goss  
• Nathan Doyle 

Kamiak High School, Mukilteo 

• Ethan Park  
• Ian Park 

Lake Stevens High School, Lake Stevens 

• Phineas Ruji  
• Jack Santos 

Richland High School, Richland  

• James Brady  
• Henry Rice  

Skyview High School, Vancouver 

• Alejandro Santana  
• Sean Malcom  

Union High School, Camas 

• Izzy Cryan  
• Evelyn Lo  

Would you like to hear from some of the 57 international students who are enrolled at Clark and hear about their experiences at Clark? 

Do you enjoy learning about the art, music, dance and martial arts of other cultures? 

Does your mouth water when you consider sampling delicious food from all over the world?  

Would you like to view the finished Clark College mural, “Coming Together for Art and Peace” and meet the artist, a Clark graduate, who designed it? 

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, consider joining Clark’s International Programs for an International Day celebration geared for the entire family. 

What: International Day celebration presented by Clark’s International Programs 

When: Tuesday, February 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

Where: GHL 150 – Gaiser Student Center 

Who is invited: Clark College students, faculty, staff—and the community 

Activities: Free, family-friendly fun to learn about and celebrate cultures worldwide. It also is an opportunity to celebrate international education and exchange and to learn about the college’s International Programs department.  

Event webpage: Learn more here.  

Associate Director of International Programs Jody Shulnak said, “Bringing folks together to learn about a variety of cultures and celebrating global exchange are highlights of this annual event. It’s also an opportunity for international students and those in our ESL program to engage and share about their home countries. It’s a meaningful event all around.” 

International Day highlights 

• Unveiling the mural “Coming Together for Art and Peace” designed by artist Christian Barrios, a Clark College graduate. The mural was painted by Clark students, staff and faculty during a community mural project on campus during International Education Week last November. Barrios will be on hand to answer questions.  
• A panel of Clark College international students talking about their experience (video) 
• Kendo Dojo demonstration 
• Belly dancing demonstration by Clark alum, Ona Parker 
• Information about the Study Abroad program 
• Sampling of food from around the world 
• Henna tattoos by Glitter Ruby’s 
• Chinese drummers and dragon demonstration by Oregon Chinese Coalition 
• Story time by Clark College alum, Moses Korir, who will read his new children’s book, “Moses and the Impossible Piano” 

Schedule of Events

Time	Topic
11:05 a.m.	Welcome
11:05 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.	Art + Peace mural unveiling and remarks
11:15 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.	International student panel video
11:30 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.	Belly dancing demonstration
11:50 a.m. – 11:55 a.m.	Raffle drawing and announcement
12:00 p.m. – 12:20 p.m.	Chinese drummers, Oregon Chinese Coalition
12:20 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.	Dragon demo, Oregon Chinese Coalition
12:30 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.	Storytime: Moses & the Impossible Piano
12:45 p.m. – 12:50 p.m.	Raffle drawing and announcement
12:50 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.	TBD
1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.	TBD
1:20 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.	International student panel video
1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.	Kendo Dojo demonstration
2:00 p.m.	Closing remarks and final raffle draw

About Clark College International Programs 

International Programs provides support services and opportunities to foster a global perspective and cross-cultural competence for Clark College and the communities it serves. The program also offers an intensive English Language program. During the 2023-24 academic year, Clark College has 57 international students. Learn more here. 

I am excited to announce the next Archer Gallery exhibit, Afraid/Not Afraid, by Pamela Chipman (Portland) and Jan Cook (Seattle). This immersive photo-based art installation looks at gender and vulnerability. Please join us for the opening reception and artist talk (dates below). Exhibitions and art talks are free and open to the public. 

Exhibit title: Afraid/Not Afraid 
What: Immersive, photo-based art installation looks at gender and vulnerability 
Artists: Pamela Chipman and Jan Cook 

Exhibit dates: February 7 through April 25 

• Viewing hours: Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. 
• Opening reception—with free pizza: Wednesday, February 7, noon – 2 p.m. 
• Artist reception and performance by Lyra Butler-Denman: Saturday, February 17, 2 to 5 p.m. 
• Artist talk (in person): Thursday, April 18, 2-3 p.m. 

Website: Archer Gallery (clark.edu) 

Exhibition Statement: 

Afraid/Not Afraid immersive photo-based art installation looks at gender and vulnerability. 

Afraid/Not Afraid examines how women live with an ever-present threat of violence and the feeling of being unsafe in their world. Gender violence, sexual stereotypes, and the portrayal of women in the media and popular culture feed and perpetuate this fear in our society. This collaborative photo-based installation explores vulnerability and the artists’ relationship to it as women. The work looks at the emotional side of this subject and how these forces shape the lives and behavior of women, often in subtle ways, that become ingrained and normalized as part of their worldview.  

In this immersive installation, the viewer becomes the voyeur, peeping through an exterior window of a house before entering the space. The exhibition combines projected images, large photographic fabric panels, and sound. The images reflect the relationship between being watched and objectified and how women present their identities to the world. The photographs and projections on semi-transparent layers combine and interplay as the viewer moves through the piece, building an intimate space for reflection. 

The artists Jan Cook and Pamela Chipman created this installation together in an artist residency in Portland, Oregon. They are white cisgender women whose own experiences and concerns with safety and consent propelled them to make this body of work. In confronting this underlying fear, they want to call attention to and to create discussion and change around these issues.  

Jan Cook is a Seattle artist who works with photo-based imagery to examine the ideas that run through our collective unconscious and tie us together in our humanity. Pamela Chipman is a Portland-based visual artist who explores themes of memory, domesticity, and femininity. She creates work that speaks to the history, strengths, and struggles of women in our culture. 

About the Archer Gallery and Clark Art Talks  

Archer Gallery serves the students and community of Clark College by exhibiting contemporary art in a not-for-profit educational setting. Archer Gallery exhibits work by nationally and internationally renowned artists and connects the Clark College community with accessible and diverse perspectives from the contemporary art world. Learn more here. 

Clark Art Talks serves the students and community of Clark College by hosting a monthly art lecture series. Distinguished artists and art scholars from around the country share their experiences related to their art practices and provide unique insights into their varied career paths and artistic techniques.