Temple Lentz, Deena Pierott, and Jody Campbell are recipients of the 2017 Iris Awards.

Five women will be honored at the 2017 Iris Awards, honoring women of achievement in Southwest Washington. They will receive the awards at a ceremony held March 8 at Clark College.

Three Iris Awards for exceptional leadership, philanthropy and community service will be presented to Deena Pierott, founder of the nonprofit iUrban Teen and president of Mosaic Blueprint; Temple Lentz, host of the “Hello Vancouver!” talk show and former Parks Foundation executive director; and Jody Campbell, director of community partnerships for The Columbian newspaper.

Dr. Carolyn Long is the recipient of a new award category, sponsored by H-RoC, a non-partisan political action committee dedicated to the advancement of elected and appointed female leaders in Southwest Washington, to honor a woman in the community who has promoted civil discourse, teamwork, collaboration and cooperation. Additionally, the second annual Legacy Award will be presented to Judie Stanton, co-chair of the League of Women Voters of Clark County. Stanton was first honored in 2002 for her service as a county commissioner. The Legacy Award is presented to a former Iris Award or Women of Achievement recipient whose continued leadership remains an enduring inspiration for others.

The event is open to the public and tickets are on sale through the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce at http://www.vancouverusa.com/events/details/2017-iris-awards-reception-13714. The cost is $35 per person. A table sponsorship, which includes eight tickets, can be purchased for $310. Seating is limited.

Clark College is located at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver. Driving directions and parking maps are available at www.clark.edu/maps. Anyone needing accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event should contact Clark College’s Disability Support Services Office at (360) 992-2314 or (360) 991-0901 (VP), or visit Penguin Union Building room 013, by February 26.

About the Iris Awards

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

This year’s awards are sponsored by Clark College, the Clark College Foundation, the Vancouver Business Journal, the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, and H-RoC. The Iris Award winners will be featured in the Vancouver Business Journal’s 2017 “Women in Business” directory, the only Portland/Vancouver metro area directory of businesses that are owned, directed or managed by women.

2017 Iris Award Recipients

Deena Pierott

Deena Pierott

A passion for inclusion and equal opportunity drives Deena Pierott’s work in both the private and public sectors. As the founder and executive director of iUrban Teen, a nationally recognized program providing career-focused education and mentoring to underrepresented teens, Pierott helps expose science, technology, engineering, arts and math careers to young men of color and aims to create an employment pipeline of diverse talent into technology fields. Since the organization was founded in 2011 in Portland, Oregon, iUrban Teen has served over 4,000 youth and expanded to five states.

Pierott is also the president and CEO of Mosaic Blueprint, a boutique consulting firm located in Vancouver, Washington. The company specializes in recruiting and on-boarding; multi-cultural communications; equity and inclusion training; and event planning. For the past seven years, Pierott has been the chief organizer of the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast at Clark College.

Pierott’s achievements have been widely recognized. In 2013, she was honored by the White House as a Champion of Change for Technology. Her other recognitions include: Washington State African American Achievement Award (2017), AKA Global Impact Award (2016), Ebony Magazine Power 100 List (2013), Business Journal Orchid Award (2013), and MED Week Minority Business of the Year (2010).

Temple Lentz

Temple Lentz

Community advocate, fundraising and marketing professional, and political consultant Temple Lentz has made a sizable impact on Southwest Washington during her 10 years of residency. As the former executive director of the Parks Foundation of Clark County, an agency that administers donations and gifts for local parks and recreation programs, Lentz was instrumental in facilitating more than $750,000 in grants and donations to support projects throughout Clark County. Showing her interest in good governance, Lentz was elected as a Clark County Freeholder in 2013; in that position, she helped write and pass a new county charter.

Lentz is also a partner and director of content and communications for High Five Media, a political and marketing consulting firm. High Five Media also produces “Hello Vancouver!” a live talk show about Vancouver and Clark County that Lentz conceived and co-created, and which she hosts regularly in Downtown Vancouver. Through the show, she provides an important spotlight for local causes and organizations.

Early in 2017, Lentz joined Cascade Sotheby’s International Realty as business director.

In addition to her professional efforts, Lentz is an active volunteer, having served as board member for Friends of the Columbia River Gorge, Arts of Clark County, Leadership Clark County, and KXRW Radio.

Jody Campbell

Jody Campbell

Jody Campbell joined The Columbian newspaper at 21 years old. Three decades later, she is now a co-owner, sits on the editorial board, and spearheads The Columbian’s community giving efforts. As the director of community partnerships, Campbell has been instrumental in supporting nonprofit organizations in Southwest Washington through advertising sponsorships and public service announcements. Each year, Campbell manages the advertising portfolios for hundreds of nonprofits that work for diverse causes, including: breast cancer research, hunger and homelessness, affordable housing, social justice, education, and women’s rights. Through community partnerships with The Columbian, nonprofit groups are able to promote their programs and fundraising efforts more effectively.

Campbell is a board member of the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington and the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce and a member of Empower Women + Girls, a giving circle of more than 50 local women that uses member donations to award grants to organizations working towards gender equality. She also co-founded Pink Power, an annual fundraising event that helped build the Kearney Breast Care Center at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver, Washington, which provides digital mammography and medical care services for breast cancer.

2017 Iris H-ROC Award: Dr. Carolyn Long

Dr. Carolyn Long

Washington State University Vancouver political science professor Dr. Carolyn Long has an extensive history in the field of civics and promoting civil discourse. She received bachelor’s degrees in political science and in rhetoric and communication from the University of Oregon and a Ph.D. in political science from Rutgers University. Dr. Long’s research interests focus on American institutions, public law, and American public policy, and she was recently named as the Sam Reed Distinguished Professor in Civic Education and Public Civility.

In 2015, Dr. Long helped launch the Initiative for Public Deliberation, a program sponsored by WSUV and the Thom

as S. Foley Institute that brings together students, faculty, and community members with different opinions and perspectives for small-group discussions. Participants learn listening skills, practice facilitating conversations, and enhance understanding of complex policy issues. The ultimate goal of the program is to strengthen democratic government by replacing partisanship with collaborative problem-solving.

In addition to her academic work, Dr. Long is a regular speaker and panelist for local organizations such as the Rotary Club, CREDC Clark County, and H-RoC. Dr. Long’s recent topics of discussion have included local economic forecasting, intergovernmental relations, and an examination of incivility in the 2016 elections.

2017 Iris Legacy Award: Judie Stanton

Judie Stanton

Judie Stanton is the co-chair of the League of Women Voters (LWV) of Clark County. Formed in 1920, LWV is a non-partisan civic organization that encourages active participation of all citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. As co-chair, Stanton runs board meetings, provides direction and oversight, and represents Clark County at the local, state, and national levels within the organization. Stanton was instrumental in leading discussions for a Washington state study on climate change and supporting the national LWV “Get Out the Vote” initiative. She is recognized within the Clark County community for providing consistent, thoughtful, and balanced leadership.

Stanton also serves as a member of the state of Washington’s Commission on Judicial Conduct (CJC), an appointment she was granted by Governor Jay Inslee in 2014. The CJC oversees the process of all complaints and discipline of judicial officers in the state of Washington.

Stanton received a Women in Achievement award in 2002 for her leadership and commitment to community involvement as a Clark County Commissioner. Through her ongoing contributions to the region, Stanton continues make an invaluable impact on Southwest Washington.

President Robert K. Knight

Clark College President Robert K. Knight has been named Clark County’s 2016 First Citizen, an award recognizing a Clark County resident who has modeled exemplary citizenship through their actions and service to the community. The award, which was announced in July, will be presented to Knight at a reception on November 2.

“I am honored by this prestigious recognition from the people I feel lucky to have called friends and neighbors for nearly two decades,” said Knight upon learning of the award. “Knowing that I am now counted among such amazing contributors to our community inspires me to continue serving that community in any way I can.”

The nomination focused heavily on Knight’s career at Clark College, where he is said to have “brought stability to a position he did not seek.” Knight, who originally joined the college as vice president of Administrative Services in 2004 and was named acting president in 2006, has overseen several major achievements at the college, including: construction of both Clark College at Columbia Tech Center and a new state-of-the-art, 70,000 square-foot building devoted to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math; the opening of the college’s Veterans Resource Center; and one of the largest enrollment spurts of any community college in Washington State. Last year, Clark was listed among the nation’s 150 best community colleges by the Aspen Institute. Much of this success is the result of Knight’s leadership, which is defined by his ability to listen intently, build relationships, support others and foster collaboration.

Letters of support also noted Knight’s giving of time and resources, off campus and outside of work. For years, Knight volunteered 30-to-40 hours each month in addition to overseeing the college. He was a leadership force behind the City of Vancouver’s 150th anniversary celebration and was important in bringing the Vietnam Traveling Wall to Vancouver. His involvement was instrumental in bringing prominent speakers to the region for the George C. Marshall Lecture Series, which included news anchor Tom Brokaw and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. In 2000, he helped Vancouver become one of only six cities in the nation selected to host a regional commemoration for the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, which drew a crowd of 3,000 to the Vancouver National Historic Reserve.

Described as “one of the most active community volunteers in our region” by former Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard, Knight has given his time and talents to organizations including the local chapter of the American Red Cross, Boys and Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington, the Columbia River Economic Development Council, Fort Vancouver National Trust, Greater Portland, Washington State University Vancouver and Workforce Southwest Washington.

In truth, though, Knight’s service began long before he landed in Clark County and reaches far beyond this region. For 21 years, he served with the U.S. Army in various ranks and across two continents. Numerous letters of support cited his military career as an example of his leadership, especially during his role as commander of the Vancouver Barracks when the base was targeted for closure. Knight convened community members in a thoughtful, open process that Vesta Hospitality CEO Rick Takach characterizes as being “critical to the jewel that is the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.”

In all, each of the 29 letters of support—seven of which came from former First Citizens—demonstrate how Knight has shown effectiveness in leadership roles, raised standards and expectations, strengthened community identity and civic pride.

“In everything he does and every role he performs, Bob always puts service over self, mission over personal interest,” wrote former U.S. Representative Brian Baird. “Without question, Vancouver, Clark County, Southwest Washington and indeed our nation are better places because of Bob Knight.”

About the First Citizen Award

Recipients of the First Citizen Award, presented since 1939, are selected by a volunteer committee of community leaders and past award recipients. Recipients are chosen for their accomplishments and contributions to the community in a number of areas, including effectiveness in leadership roles, raising community standards and expectations, strengthening community identity and civic pride, and exemplary giving of time, self and resources. For a full listing of criteria and past recipients, please visit www.cfsww.org/our-community/first-citizen.

About the First Citizen Awards Event

Knight will receive the First Citizen Award during a community event scheduled for Wednesday, November 2 at Warehouse ‘23. The event will begin at 4 p.m., with the formal awards program at 5 p.m. Regents Bank is the presenting sponsor of the First Citizen Award reception. Biggs Insurance and PeaceHealth are supporting sponsors, and the event is organized in partnership with The Columbian and the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington. Tickets for the event are $35 and can be purchased at the door or in advance by visiting www.columbian.com/firstcitizen.

Clark College’s Economic and Community Development program recently welcomed two talented leaders to its team. Francois Wevers joined ECD as the Director of Economic & Community Partnerships and Kelli Gizzi is the incoming Director of Professional and Personal Development.

About Francois Wevers

Francois Wevers

Francois Wevers has a long, rich and successful track record in sales and business management. He has most recently been the National Sales Manager for Lightspeed Aviation in Lake Oswego. Prior to Lightspeed, Wevers held a number of key sales management positions with Hewlett-Packard, based out of the United States, France and Germany. He has helped to build large new businesses, created new retail and commercial sales channels, and managed sales organizations in both Europe and the U.S.

Wevers has a Bachelor in Business Administration from Pacific Lutheran University, in Tacoma, and a DSCAF in Business Administration from Ecole Supérieure de Commerce, Le Havre, France. Wevers was born and raised in the Normandy Region of France and relocated to the Pacific Northwest in 1996. He and his wife, Bracy, have three daughters; they all live in the area.

About Kelli Gizzi

Kelli Gizzi

Kelli Gizzi is a veteran of both Intel Corporation and Motorola, Inc., where she held a number of key roles including marketing in emerging markets, online learning, enterprise channels, enterprise software, information technology, mobile apps, and social media.

Gizzi lives in Battle Ground with her husband, Jim, and daughter, Jenna—all avid soccer fans. Gizzi has a strong community focus and has served on the board of directors of the Women’s Center for Leadership, a greater Portland nonprofit, for four years—the past two years as the board president. Gizzi is also a parent volunteer for Battle Ground Citizens for Better Schools.

Gizzi has a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri – Columbia. While Gizzi is a longtime resident of the area, she has also lived and worked in other countries, including Indonesia, Singapore, and Japan.

About Clark College Economic and Community Development

Clark College Economic & Community Development (ECD) is Southwest Washington’s premier provider of workforce training and non-credit learning, serving more than 10,000 people annually. These elements are part of ECD’s vision to maintain and continually develop its status as the region’s premier provider of classes, seminars, certificate programs and training opportunities that serve the residents and businesses of the Southwest Washington region.

President Knight congratulates Linda Healy, left, and Vanessa Meyer on receiving the 2016 Exceptional Classified Staff Award.

Opening Day on Sept. 12 marked several celebrations of employee contributions to the college. Employees were recognized for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years of service to the college. Four employees–Facilities Services Maintenance Mechanic Michael Conder, ITS Specialist David Sims, Business Professor Patti Serrano, and eLearning ITS Specialist Scott Coffie–earned recognition for 35 years of service to the college.

Additionally, the recipients of the annual Exceptional Faculty Awards and quarterly Classified Staff Excellence Awards were recognized. The faculty awards are announced at Commencement and the quarterly Classified staff awards are announced each quarter. Additionally, two Classified Excellence Award recipients were announced to be recipients of the annual Exceptional Classified Staff Awards: Linda Healy and Vanessa Meyer.

Six Clark College employees received Presidential Coins during Opening Day. Introduced in 2007 by President Bob Knight, the coin is given to faculty and staff members who provide exemplary service to Clark students, the college and the community. The honorees are decided by the president and are kept secret until the names are announced–generally on Opening Day in the fall or during the annual State of the College address. The newest coin recipients are:

Prof. Adnan Hamideh at Opening Day.

Adnan Hamideh

Originally joining Clark College in 2001 as a temporary business instructor, Dr. Hamideh received tenure in 2005 and now serves as the division chair of the Business Department. He holds a Doctorate of Education from Portland State University. President Knight called Dr. Hamideh a “tireless proponent” of the new Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Management degree that Clark will begin offering this academic year. In addition, Dr. Hamideh has led the development of the Business Core classes that help students prepare for business majors.

Rebecca Kleiva receives a Presidential Coin.

Rebecca Kleiva

After graduating from Clark College in 2010, Kleiva was hired as a program coordinator in Eligibility Programs (now Workforce Education). She was promoted to her current position of program specialist in 2011. In this position, she has managed the Worker Retraining Financial Aid program, which helps support students as they transition into new career paths, and developed partnerships and strategies that have helped the program exceed its target enrollment every year.

“She has consistently performed her job duties with the highest degree of integrity and professionalism,” said President Knight. “She is an innovative thinker who continues to evaluate how she can improve processes and procedures to better serve her students. … Her knowledge and eagerness to learn things that are outside of her normal job responsibilities help to ensure that the customer service that she provides to the public, community partners, co-workers and students is exemplary.”

Felisciana Peralta receives a Presidential Coin.

Felisciana Peralta

Felisciana “Felis” Peralta joined Clark College in 2008 as a Multicultural Retention Manager and was recently promoted to Director of the Office of Diversity and Equity.

“In her eight years at the college, she has been a strong advocate and partner on issues related to diversity and social justice, helping to create and support a supportive learning environment for our students,” said President Knight. “She is a champion of equity and inclusion and has played a vital role in the development of the college’s Diversity Plan, Social Equity Plan, and Diversity Center.”

Peralta sits on the Cultural Pluralism Committee, Academic Early Warning Committee, and the Incident Response Team at Clark. On the state level, she has been a leader of the Multicultural Student Services Directors’ Council and its annual Students of Color Conference. In June, she received the 2016 Val Joshua Award, recognizing her leadership in working towards eliminating racism and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people.

Brenda Shular receives a Presidential Coin.

Brenda Shular

Brenda Shular graduated from Clark College in 1996 and was hired the following year as a purchasing assistant. She currently serves as a procurement and supply specialist in the college’s Office of Purchasing and Central Services.

“She is a rock-solid employee who manages an enormous amount of orders in Purchasing in a timely way and with great customer service,” said President Knight. “She’s played a key role in getting the STEM Building orders processed in time to ensure furniture and equipment is ready for the building’s opening.”

Mike Silva receives a Presidential Coin.

Mike Silva

Mike Silva graduated from Clark College in 2001 and was hired as a computer maintenance technician later that same year. He was promoted to an Information Technology Systems Specialist in 2002 and now serves as the supervisor of the Multimedia Department.

Last year, Silva led a collegewide effort to redesign the college’s standard classroom technology configuration. Working with faculty and staff, he developed a new design that not only provides additional teaching tools for faculty, but saves nearly $10,000 per classroom in equipment costs. He has also been part of the effort to make the college’s new STEM Building ready for students and faculty.

“Over the past 14 years, he has been in a variety of technical roles providing outstanding customer service and a calm, reassuring voice able to solve the thorniest technical problems,” President Knight said. “As the labs supervisor, he hired and mentored hundreds of student workers, preparing many for jobs and life after their graduation from Clark College. In mentoring these students, he clearly demonstrates that we all have a role to play in student success. … He is an outstanding supervisor, technician, and friend to many on campus.”

Prof. Caleb White receives a Presidential Coin.

Caleb White

Caleb White joined Clark College as a tenure-track welding instructor in 2013 and received tenure in 2016. He holds an associate degree in automotive and diesel technology from Universal Technical Institute and previously worked at Christensen Yachts, where he helped build some of the biggest luxury yachts in the world.

“He has not been at the college for a long time, but he has already made an impact,” said President Knight.

White has worked to redesign the welding curriculum to include more hands-on learning that can be translated directly into the workplace. Each quarter, his students use their skills to create a project. Projects have included aluminum stools for students to use in the welding lab, a large pressure vessel that can be used on job sites, and an aluminum fishing boat that was a star attraction of the college’s display at the 2016 Clark County Fair.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Roslyn Leon Guerrero

Clark College Administrative Assistant Roslyn “Roz” Monique Leon Guerrero was recently appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee to the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA).

Leon Guerrero, who is of Chamorro descent, was born and raised on the island of Saipan, in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). She has more than 15 years of experience working in education, with community organizations and outreach to Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) both on the islands and in Southwest Washington. Originally hired in Clark’s Office of Instruction in 2010, she currently works in the Office of Diversity and Equity where she monitors, manages, and supports the Diversity Center and the office’s leadership. She also does outreach, recruitment, and retention of AAPIs. She is the advisor of the Asian Pacific Islanders Club that leads events, education, and outreach for AAPIs at Clark College and the greater Clark County community.

Leon Guerrero works with many organizations and boards in Southwest Washington focusing on AAPIs. She is a standing member of the Faculty and Staff of Color Conference Planning Committee (a statewide committee composed of representatives from all Washington colleges) and a Washington Public Employees Association steward representative for Clark College. In 2015, she completed the Social Justice Leadership Institute, an institute designed for individuals working in higher education in Washington to hone skills, build community, and network with other higher-education professionals.

“Being appointed to the Commission on Asian Pacific America Affairs is an honor and privilege,” says Leon Guerrero. “This will actually benefit Clark College in outreaching to diverse populations. My goals while on the commission are as follows: to be the voice and advocate for equitable services for AAPIs in health, education, safety, etc.; to do outreach and educate AAPIs of Washington on the resources available to them; to represent and call out barriers and systemic challenges for AAPIs in Washington; and to work collaboratively with the other commissioners to support AAPIs in Southwest Washington.”

Leon Guerrero is not the first employee from Clark’s Office of Diversity and Equity to sit on a Washington State commission. Last year, Diversity Outreach Manager Dolly England was appointed to the Commission on African American Affairs, and Program Specialist Rosalba Pitkin served on the Commission on Hispanic Affairs for two terms.

Founded in 1972, the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs has an advisory board made up of twelve Governor-appointed commissioners representing the state’s diverse Asian Pacific American communities. Commissioners advise the Governor and state agencies on issues that concern APA communities. Commissioner terms are for three years.

Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Clark alumnus and employee Narek Daniyelyan was named to the WSU Board of Regents. Photo courtesy of WSU.

Clark College alumnus and employee Narek Daniyelyan has been appointed by Governor Jay Inslee as the student member of the Washington State University Board of Regents for the 2016-2017 academic year.

“I am excited to have Daniyelyan as our student representative on the regents,” said WSU President Kirk Schulz. “He has an impressive background and will bring a strong student voice to board deliberations.  I look forward to working closely with Daniyelyan during my first year as WSU President”

Daniyelyan has a long history of service to institutions of higher learning. During his time at Clark, he was a Student Ambassador, helping to guide new students around the college and supporting Clark events. He graduated from Clark with his Associate of Arts transfer degree from Clark in 2009, but soon returned to the college to work as a recruitment specialist. He currently works in the college’s Office of Instruction as its Education Partnership Manager, engaging with local schools, businesses and other higher education institutions to create and maintain mutually beneficial student partnership agreements. His other past work includes serving as a recreation leader for the City of Vancouver and as an intern with the Clark County Juvenile Court system.

Daniyelyan continued his education after Clark, graduating from WSU Vancouver in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in Human Development. In 2013 he began his master’s degree studies in public affairs at WSUV.

“Upon graduation, I plan to continue working in higher education and serving students in our community,” said Daniyelyan. “Education has given me an opportunity for social mobility, so I want to help others see their potential and become the best versions of themselves.”

“I am ecstatic to be serving as the Student Regent and am looking forward to representing all WSU students,” Daniyelyan said of his appointment. “During my time as student regent I hope to learn about some of the amazing things that past Student Regents have accomplished, work with current board members on some of the pressing initiatives for the year, and serve as a liaison between students and the board.”

Daniyelyan was elected vice president of the Associated Students of WSU Vancouver and has held a variety of other student leadership positions, including serving as a student ambassador and as director of Leadership Development for ASWSU-Vancouver.

Effective July 1, Daniyelyan’s appointment will run through June 30, 2017. He succeeds current Student Regent Jansen VanderMeulen, of Burlington, Wash.

This article adapted from the Washington State University news site.

The 2016 Exceptional Faculty Award recipients are, left to right, Joseph Cavalli, Dr. Kathleen Chatfield, Heather McAfee, and Doug Mrazek.

During the 2016 Commencement ceremony, President Robert K. Knight announced the names of the recipients of the 2016 Clark College Exceptional Faculty Awards. The awards are presented annually to full-time and part-time faculty members. Nominations can be submitted by Clark College students, faculty, classified employees, administrators, alumni, Board members, and Foundation directors.

The awards are made possible through an endowed trust fund established by the Washington State Legislature and the Clark College Exceptional Faculty Endowment Fund, which was established in 1993. That fund provides recognition of exemplary work performance, positive impact on students, professional commitment, and other contributions to the college.

This year’s Exceptional Faculty members are:

• Joseph Cavalli, instructor of history
• Dr. Kathleen Chatfield, instructor of business technology
• Heather McAfee, professor of geography
• Doug Mrazek, professor of French

Joe Cavalli, History

Joseph Cavalli has taught history at schools in Croatia, Italy, and Bahrain. He began teaching at Clark shortly after returning to the Pacific Northwest in 2006. For the past five years, he has also served as the director of Clark’s award-winning Model United Nations program. He also teaches history through Clark College’s non-credit Mature Learning program and at Mt. Hood Community College.

Cavalli says he sees history more as a context for understanding the world than as a rote memorization of names and dates. “It’s not about me giving students information,” he says. “What I want to impart is the love of learning and the need to be curious.”

Students appreciate Cavalli’s efforts to make history relevant to their current lives. “I had no interest in history whatsoever until I took his class,” wrote one student. “After my first class with him, I was enthralled. Now, history is my favorite subject and my current major.”

Dr. Kathleen Chatfield, Business Technology and Management

Over the course of her 21 years at Clark, Dr. Kathleen Chatfield has taught a variety of courses, including keyboarding, microcomputer applications, Microsoft Excel, e-commerce, and project management. In truth, however, her influence goes far beyond those subjects. In fact, she has been a part of every online class offered at Clark College through her work as the senior instructional designer for the college’s eLearning Department, where she helps Clark faculty learn how to develop online classes.

“It is a daunting task to guide so many full-time and part-time instructors through all the different learning systems, while also helping them to maintain their unique styles and philosophies of teaching,” wrote one nominator. “Yet Dr. Chatfield manages to accomplish this task.”

Dr. Chatfield continues to teach classes to students as well, saying that this experience helps her better understand the needs and challenges of faculty. This adds up to more than a full-time workload, but Dr. Chatfield says, “I’m doing what I love. I’ve never woken up in the morning and said, ‘Oh no, I have to go to work.’”

Heather McAfee, Geography

Heather McAfee first became interested in geography while working for the U.S. Department of Defense, doing cultural analysis of Iraq that included mapping the civilian population there. “I love geography because it is the most interdisciplinary subject you can study,” she says. “It touches everything, even health—we have medical geography. Recently in my classes, we’ve looked at and mapped the spread of the Zika virus.”

McAfee serves as chair of the Geography Department at Clark; she also serves on the college’s AA Transfer Committee, the Library of the Future Taskforce, and the Learning Communities Taskforce. Additionally, McAfee has worked to create connections between Clark and community organizations, including the Water Resources Education Center and the Vanport Mosaic.

“She made her classroom a comfortable area where every person’s opinion and outlook was highly valued,” wrote one student. “Her teachings went much deeper than the textbook material. She wanted us to dig deep and relate every lesson to our personal lives and experiences, and it taught all of us so much about the world around us.”

Doug Mrazek, French

When Doug Mrazek was job-hunting after receiving his master’s degree in French from the University of Illinois in 1978, one of his professors told him that the Pacific Northwest was so beautiful that if he took a job there, “you’ll never want to leave.”

Those words turned out to be prophetic; Mrazek has devoted 38 years to teaching French at Clark. He has taught generations of Clark students how to conjugate être, led dozens of them on trips through France and Quebec, and helped the French Club put on countless events as its academic advisor.

Small surprise, then, that Mrazek received more than 30 nominations for this award this year. “I’m in amazement,” he says. “It’s a tremendous sense of closure. After a career of 40 years, it’s a nice way to move on.”

Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Jane Jacobsen

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

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

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

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

Dr. Roberto Anitori, Biology

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

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

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

Kushlani de Soyza, Women’s Studies

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

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

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

Dee Anne Finken, Journalism

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

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

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

Grant Hottle, Art

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

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

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

Dr. Garrett Hoyt, Health and Physical Education

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

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

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

Drew Johnson, Business Technology

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

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

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

Kenneth (Ken) Luchini, Mechatronics

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

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

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

Sarah Luther, Mathematics

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

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

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

Dr. Mika Maruyama, Psychology

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

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

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

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

Heather J. McAfee, Geography

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

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

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

Natalie Miles, Transitional Studies Language Arts

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

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

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

Erin Schoenlein, Transitional Studies Mathematics

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

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

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

Caleb White, Welding

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

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

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

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

As retired Clark College art professor James Archer stood in the gallery named after him and gazed at the works hanging on the walls, his expression was slightly wistful. Archer was attending the reception for “Archer @ Archer,” an exhibit of selections from Archer’s private art collection, which he is donating to the college where he taught for 23 years.

“It’s pretty overwhelming,” he said, standing between two colorful abstract prints of his own and a row of prints made by a former student who is now an art professor himself. “Many of these works were done by young people whom I mentored over the years. Most of them, I never was able to frame, so this is my first time seeing them framed and hung as a collection. It’s a very emotional experience for me.”

Carson Legree, left, with Jim Archer at the opening on January 12.

The college has received many donations of art through the Clark College Foundation over the years, but this donation is unusual both because of its size and its historical significance. Archer is donating 129 works total, about 40 of which are on display at the gallery. These works include drawings, paintings, prints, and collage, many of them by Clark instructors or students. Not only do they form an impressive collection of regional art, but they also represent the artistic vision of Archer Gallery’s founding director.

Archer originally became curator of the gallery in 1982, when it was still located within the Clark College Bookstore and was called the Index Gallery. Successful in attracting well-known Northwest artists, the Index Gallery became known as one the region’s top alternative venues for contemporary artists. In 1995, the gallery—which by then had been relocated to a larger space within Gaiser—was renamed in Archer’s honor. It moved to its current location in the lower level of the Penguin Union Building in 2005.

“This donation is significant because it has a lot of regional pieces, many with a strong Clark connection,” said Clark art professor and current Archery Gallery curator Senseney Stokes. “There are works here from [retired art professor and former Archer Galley curator] Carson Legree, from Jim himself, from [retired art professor] Jim Baker. But even beyond these connections, some of the work here is so strong, so beautiful. Jim collected some really great stuff, and we’re lucky to have it in our campus collection.”

Professors bring art students to the Archer Gallery regularly as part of their instruction.

Clark’s Art Committee will be deciding where to place pieces from the collection after the show ends February 20. Members of the college community are invited to provide the committee with feedback on placement of particular objects.

Asked why he chose to donate his collection to Clark, Archer explained that he was downsizing to a smaller home and that Clark seemed the natural place to donate these works. “I’m an alumnus of this college, I worked here,” he said. “I’m happy that they won’t just be put in a closet here. People will see them, and react to them, for a long time to come.”

Photos of the exhibit can be viewed on our Flickr site.

Photos Clark College/Jenny Shadley