Amelia Palmer Hansen, an experienced mechanical engineer, sat at a table with five female Clark College students pursuing degrees in STEM fields.

Palmer Hansen described her work inspecting building projects seeking LEED certification. “My job is super interesting, and it pays well.”

She also spoke about the difficulty of engineering courses. “It’s hard to go to school to be an engineer, but it will open so many doors for you. I feel very fortunate to have my engineering degree.”

Palmer Hansen was among five women working in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) careers who shared their expertise with Clark College women pursuing technical degrees during the Women in STEM Tea on May 15.

The event is organized by Professors Tina Barsotti and Carol Hsu. At last year’s event, a panel of Clark alumnae working in STEM fields sat at a table at the front of the room.

Professor Hsu said, “Always looking to improve and create more interactions to help our students network, we decided to try a different format this year: speed networking.”

The speed networking format proved a useful way for Clark College students pursuing STEM careers to mingle and connect with women who paved the way by earning degrees years and even decades earlier. Students formed groups and every 15 minutes, they rotated to another table to converse with other professionals.

Some high school students and women from the community also attended.

Participating STEM professionals were:

• Lisa Barsotti, Clark College Allied Health programs
• Melanie Handshaw, ConMet
• Amelia Palmer Hansen, Glumac
• Cynthia Stewart-Irvin, H.B. Fuller
• Susan Wagner-DeBusman, Kaiser Permanente

The advice given and comments made by the professionals included:

“The communication, collaboration, and team-building skills that women have are assets in STEM fields.”

“As a woman studying engineering, don’t beat yourself up if you’re getting B or C grades. I’ve rarely seen men questioning their ability. Be patient with yourselves. It takes a while to get there.”

“Get involved in professional development and networking groups, even as a student.”

“It’s exciting to see young women going into the engineering field because we need innovation.”

“The industry could use more diversity today.”

The format worked. Students interacted with the professionals, who offered advice and answered questions. Connections were made.

STEM at Clark College

In Clark’s STEM programs, students gain hands-on, real-world experience—doing everything from studying microbes to designing rockets to troubleshooting computer networks. With an emphasis on innovation, collaboration, and creative problem-solving, our programs prepare students for a rapidly changing global society.

Learn more

Clark College STEM programs: https://www.clark.edu/academics/programs/science-technology-and-engineering/

Clark’s state-of-the-art STEM Building: https://www.clark.edu/academics/programs/science-technology-and-engineering/SBG.php

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish

Gage Gwynn was pursuing a general associate degree at Clark College when he mentioned to his math professor that he enjoyed baking and had heard positive reviews of Clark’s Professional Baking and Pastry Arts program. His professor talked so effusively about it that Gwynn eventually enrolled in the program.

“I’m really good at math,” he explained. “And I also like baking. They go together.”

Gwynn was one of eight second-year baking students who presented their capstone project to the college community and their families on May 9 in the McClaskey Culinary Institute Food Court in Gaiser Hall.

An enthusiastic crowd of Clark students, staff, and community members waited in a very long line for an opportunity to sample artful and delicious baked goods prepared by the students.

The much-awaited annual event is the culmination of their capstone project. They spent the first five weeks of spring term creating their final presentations. Each student chose their focus: bread, plated dessert, or viennoisserie (laminated doughs).

Before the ravenous crowd was allowed to storm the bakery tables, all the baked goods were judged by professional bakers who examined the baked goods, asked students questions about their techniques and ingredients—and then tasted everything.

Finally, the judges finished. By this time, the crowd was growing restless. The line snaked through the food court, down the hall, and nearly to the north entrance of Gaiser Hall.

Then Alison Dolder, Professional Baking and Pastry Arts instructor stepped to the front of the waiting crowd and introduced the 2024 capstone project. She stepped aside as people made a beeline to tables where baking students stood behind mouth-watering displays of their baked goods. 

The bakers patiently offered samples of pain au chocolat, tiramisu, cambozola cheesecake Napoleon, salted caramel cream puff, chocolate babka, and much more to the eager tasters.

Real-world experience

These students have completed their classes at Clark. Next, they will get hands-on real-world work experience immersed in internships in professional bakeries in Vancouver and Portland. During the five-week internships, students must work a minimum of 24 hours per week. Some will work more.

In June these students will earn an associate in applied technology degree in Professional Baking and Pastry Arts Management.

Meet the Bakers

Miranda Kirby

Capstone focus: Viennoiserie (laminated doughs)
Internship: Bakeshop in Portland

Isabella Alvarez

Capstone focus: Individual desserts
Internship: Di Tazza Gourmet Coffee and Café, Vancouver 

Max Harrell

Capstone focus: Viennoiserie (laminated doughs)
Internship: Forevers Bakery, Hazel Dell

Genesis Skjeie

Capstone focus: Viennoiserie (laminated doughs)
Internship: Di Tazza Gourmet Coffee and Café, Vancouver 

Annika Davila

Capstone focus: Individual desserts
Internship: Farina Bakery, Portland

Emily Baker

Capstone focus: Individual desserts, particularly petit four
Internship: Chandelier Bakery, Vancouver 

Jessica Ray

Capstone focus: Individual desserts
Internship: Dream Cakes, Portland

Gage Gwynn

Capstone focus: Artisan breads, particularly sourdough
Internship: Fleur De Lis Bakery & Cafe, Portland

View photos on our Flickr page: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBpucE
Photos Clark College/Jenny Shadley

The Clark College community celebrated the annual publication of The Swift, the college’s student-run literary journal at a release party that included student readings, coffee and pastries, and stacks of the 2024 issue on May 9 in PUB 161.

As people entered the room, they picked up the journal, sat, and began reading. Many who attended were published in this issue. For some, it was their first time being published.

The Swift’s contributing writers and poets are Clark students and alumni. This edition features the work of 23 writers and includes 10 poems, 10 works of short fiction, and 6 works of short nonfiction. The annual journal was edited by first-time student editors.

In 2023, Clark published the first issue of The Swift. Formerly, Clark College featured art and literature in a single magazine Phoenix, which now focuses strictly on art: www.clarkphoenix.com. This is the second annual volume of The Swift.

Poet Colin Sandberg (pictured above) introduced his poem, “Rock and Stone” by saying, “This is my first published work. It starts with an epigraph from Mary Oliver’s A Poetry Handbook.”

As he read, all listened intently. When he finished reading, they clapped. Then the next published writer walked to the podium.

About The Swift

Funded by the Associated Students of Clark College (ASCC), The Swift: Clark College Literary Journal is dedicated to publishing skillful and inventive creative writing by Clark students, alumni, and staff. The journal is student-run and supported by faculty and staff from the Art and English Departments. Students enrolled in English 277 start the production of the journal each Fall Quarter. An editorial staff of literary students continues production work during winter term with the publication and distribution of the annual journal occurring spring term each year.

Learn more

Submit your poem, fiction, or nonfiction short piece for publication: The Swift: accepts submissions from the Clark College community, including students, faculty, staff, and alumni. For submission guidelines and timelines contact theswift@clark.edu.

Get involved as a staff member: Contact faculty adviser Dawn Knopf, Director of The Swift at dknopf@clark.edu or theswift@clark.edu

Become a better writer. Sign up for a writing class offered during the 2024-25 academic year:

• English 121: Intro to Creative Writing
• English 125: Fiction Writing
• English 126: Poetry Writing
• English 127: Creative Nonfiction Writing
• English 128: Graphic Fiction Writing
• English 277: Literary Publication

View photos from the event on our Flickr page https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBpz2q
Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Spring Welcome Week kicked off on Monday, April 8. Students returning to campus for spring term were greeted by blossoming trees and flowers—and a plethora of Clark staff members volunteering at information tables inside buildings around campus. Helpful volunteers answered students’ questions, offered directions, provided campus maps and more. These information tables were successful in helping students feel welcomed by the many staff and faculty who volunteered to help Clark students.

Warmer, dry weather invited students to gather outside to sit on benches or walk the paths around campus, and particularly to view and take photos of the blooming cherry trees. Inside Gaiser Hall, students congregated in their favorite gathering spots to catch up with friends and classmates.

Student Involvement Fair

Gaiser Student Center bustled with activity as students, staff, and faculty gathered for Clark’s Spring Term Involvement Fair on April 10. Students stopped at the tables that filled the hall to ask questions and to learn more about the college’s support services, student clubs, and programs.

Clark College wants to ensure students know about and can access wrap-around services, including Penguin Pantry, Disability Support Services, Counseling and Health Center, and more. The Student Involvement Fair, which is held during the first week of every quarter, is an excellent way for students—particularly new students—to learn more about these programs, services, and opportunities. Standing at the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion table, Rosalba Pitkin offered flyers and information about the Students of Color Luncheon, Noche de Familia, and other upcoming events. At the Counseling and Health Center table, students could learn about free health and counseling services and the center’s new sensory room, which has been popular among students.

At Clark’s ASCC student government table, student leaders answered students’ questions and shared information about getting involved with student government. Students stopped by the Activities Programming Board table to learn about upcoming opportunities to connect with fellow students—including making a Swiftie-themed bracelet, crafts, movies, free pizza and ice cream sundaes.

Students connected with peers with shared interests by stopping at many student club tables where club members talked about practicing speaking in Spanish to creating comics to bingeing on Korean K-dramas and more. At the Columbia Writers Series table, Professor Dawn Knopf chatted about the upcoming event with author Andrew Leland on April 26. At the Spanish Club table, students learned about opportunities to practice speaking in Spanish and participate in activities to immerse themselves in Hispanic culture. At the Clark Aerospace Club table student Ethan Walters showed off the club’s new rocket, dubbed “Emperor Penguin” and talked about their April 27 test flight in Brothers, Oregon.

Students also connected with representatives from various useful community resources. Volunteers from Clark County Food Bank offered flyers with food pantries and housing resources around the county. At the League of Women Voters of Clark County table, volunteers assisted students to register to vote. At the Clark County Volunteer Lawyers Program table, students who need legal assistance could find help.

Eight financial institutions participated in the event: Bank of America, Columbia Credit Union, IQ Credit Union, Key Bank, OnPoint Community Credit Union, Rivermark Community Credit Union, Umpqua Bank and US Bank.

In addition to helpful information and connections, the event also provided opportunities for students to pick up useful items at no cost. At the Activities Programming Board table students Hannah Colwell, Austun Fuerstenberg and Austin Newton offered reusable bags filled with travel-size toothpaste, shampoo and more.

They had placed many other free items on another table. Pointing to an electric air pump to inflate an air mattress, Hannah Cowell said the goal is to provide useful items that students can use and that might not be in their budget. Almost immediately, the air pump was snapped up by a student.

All around Gaiser Student Center, Clark students were making connections, learning about opportunities and receiving free items that will make their lives easier. Another Involvement Fair that lived up to its name.

Students can find all these resources and more at Support Services (clark.edu)

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish

Leadership from Clark’s Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) student honor society traveled to the national PTK Catalyst conference April 4-6 in Orlando, Florida, and brought home a trophy. Clark’s chapter was among 34 chapters selected to receive the Hallmark Award for Distinguished College Project. There are 1,247 PTK chapters nationwide.

PTK Co-advisor Heather Leasure said, “We also were honored as a top 100 chapter out of 1,247 chapters, so that is exciting as well.”

Catalyst National Conference

PTK Catalyst is Phi Theta Kappa’s annual event that brings together members, advisors, and their supporters for professional development and to celebrate the accomplishments of the PTK community. The event includes opportunities for personal and professional development, college transfer guidance, inspiring speakers, and opportunities to network and learn from other members of the PTK community.

Clark College PTK leadership who attended the conference are Ziyad El-Amrani, president; Natalie Perdun, vice president of scholarship; Mike Harrison, vice president of service; Fennic Tatum, vice president of fellowship and Mary Harter, director of history and records. Additionally, both PTK advisors, Heather Leasure and Darci Feider attended the conference with the students.

“Catalyst is not just the culmination and celebration of the whole year and being awarded for your hard work,” said Heather Leasure. “It is also a time to connect with other chapters and pull ideas from their success. This reinvigorates the officer team to come back with energy to train their successors for the next academic year.”

College Project Award

The purpose of the PTK’s college project is to establish or strengthen a supportive relationship between the chapter and the college administration. Clark’s PTK chapter president met with President Edwards to discuss needs at Clark College and to determine a project that supports Clark’s mission. Then the PTK members discussed the project and how they would implement it.

This academic year, PTK’s project was two-fold:

• Supporting and assisting with Penguin Pantry, and,
• Backpacks and school supplies for Clark students

Both projects support the college’s strategic plan tenet of Equitable Student Experience through priority two which is to remove barriers and provide inclusive support to increase student success.

Project 1: Supporting Penguin Pantry

PTK leaders advertised volunteer opportunities with the Penguin Pantry—including packing boxes with food, distributing food boxes to students in a drive-through format, scheduling volunteers, and volunteering at pantry events.

• 32 volunteers
• 196 volunteer hours
• 31,890 pounds of food packaged and distributed
• 3,775 people served

Project 2: Fall term backpack and school supply giveaway

PTK members worked with Monica Knowles, Clark College Bookstore manager, who provided ideas for backpacks and school supplies and provided the products at cost. Then PTK asked Dr. Edwards for permission to hold a school supplies fundraiser on Opening Day, she made their request to Executive Cabinet and they approved it. PTK created advertising. Dr. Edwards published it in her weekly newsletter to the college and in her Opening Day invitation.

On Opening Day, PTK placed multiple donation barrels. Clark College Foundation set up a way for people to donate funds for the project. The Clark community was generous.

• 116 backpacks filled with school supplies and Clark College water bottles
• Distributed to 116 Clark students in need

Each chapter’s project entries were scored at the international PTK headquarters. Winners were announced at the Catalyst national conference.

Clark’s PTK chapter attends the national conference every year. The trip was funded by services and activities fees through the Associated Students of Clark College (ASCC).

In March, Clark’s PTK chapter received three awards at the Great Northwest Spring Conference on March 23 at Bates Technical College in Tacoma:

• Honors in Action project, 2nd place
• Honors in Action theme, 2nd place
• College project, 3rd place

Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society for two-year colleges. PTK recognizes the academic achievement of college students and provides opportunities for its members to grow as scholars and leaders. Clark’s PTK chapter is Alpha Sigma Phi. Students are invited to join PTK when enrolled in at least 12 credits per term and achieve a minimum 3.25 grade point average.

• Learn more about Clark’s PTK chapter here.
• PTK is recruiting its 2024-25 leadership team. Complete the application here.

Photos courtesy of Heather Leasure.

Congratulations to the four outstanding students who will represent Clark College at the 27th annual All-Washington Academic Team ceremony on April 25 at South Puget Sound Community College in Lacey. The event recognizes students from Washington State for their academic excellence and community service. The All-Washington Academic Team is a program of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges.

The four Clark College scholars are:

• Alexander Cole
• Addison Johnson
• Ethan Mahan
• Lisa Segretto

These Clark students are among 92 students from across the state named to the All-Washington Academic Team. They are pursuing transfer and workforce pathways at Washington’s 34 community and technical colleges.

Alexander D. Cole

Alexander D. Cole did not attend school until he was 15 years old. With determination, he taught himself to read and write and graduated from high school. While learning to repair his car, he found his future career. Alexander is enrolled in the T-TEN automotive technician program at Clark College and is apprenticing at a local Toyota dealership garage. After he earns an associate of applied technology degree in June 2025, he will be a full-time repair technician at the same dealership. His dream career is to work on vehicles for Toyota.

Addison Johnson

Addison Johnson’s mother and grandmother encouraged her to work passionately toward her goals. The Running Start student will earn her diploma from Camas High School and her associate degree from Clark College in June. She plans to transfer to Oregon State University to earn a baccalaureate degree in bioengineering. Next, she plans to pursue medical school and a career as an orthopedic surgeon.

Ethan Mahan

Ethan Mahan’s high school teacher inspired him to pursue a career in healthcare. Ethan will earn an associate in applied technology degree in Medical Assisting with an additional certification in Phlebotomy from Clark College in August 2024. He plans to work as a medical assistant, gain healthcare experience, and eventually, continue his education to become a physician’s assistant. It has been challenging balancing work, assignments, and a phlebotomy internship, but it is worth it as he prepares to begin his career.

Lisa Segretto

After breaking free from generational cycles of abuse and neglect, Lisa Segretto was inspired by her daughter to seek therapy and attend college. She’s graduating from Clark with a 4.0 and her associate degree and plans to attend either Portland State University or Washington State University to pursue a Bachelor of Psychology. She dreams of earning her Master of Clinical Psychology and Doctor of Psychiatry, eventually opening a mental health practice for children and adults who have experienced childhood trauma.

All-Washington Academic Team Ceremony

The ceremony’s keynote speaker is Governor Jay Inslee. The event will be livestreamed at 12:30 p.m. on April 25 on the SPSCC YouTube channel.

Each student will receive a medal and a $250 scholarship from Key Bank. They also are eligible for additional scholarships from private sponsors and transfer scholarships for four-year colleges and universities.

Program sponsors are Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges, Washington State Association of College Trustees, Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, and Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of two-year colleges.

Scholarship sponsors:

• KeyBank: $250 awarded to every team member
• Washington State Employees Credit Union: $750 awarded to the top 16 members
• Washington State Association of College Trustees: $1,000 awarded to the top 3 team members

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

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. 

Clark College students who plan to transfer to Washington State University Vancouver will find a smoother, more intentional path, thanks to a new transfer agreement.

Clark and WSU Vancouver launched a new transfer agreement on January 22. The two institutions partnered to create a seamless guaranteed transfer pathway for students who are completing an associate degree at Clark and plan to transfer to WSU Vancouver to complete a bachelor’s degree.

The impetus for the agreement:

• To make pursuing a bachelor’s degree more accessible and equitable.
• To reduce barriers to a smooth transition to WSU Vancouver and eventually, to earning a bachelor’s degree
• Specifically targeted to reach underrepresented, underserved, and students of color.
• Long term: To increase the number of students who earn bachelor’s degrees in Southwest Washington.

The Guaranteed Admission program enables Clark College students to transfer seamlessly to WSU Vancouver and to reduce the time required to earn a bachelor’s degree. The reverse transfer agreement will make it easier for Clark College students to attain an associate degree if enrolled at WSU Vancouver prior to completing their program at Clark College.

“This agreement will create a clear path for Clark students transferring to WSU Vancouver,” said Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards. “By removing barriers, more first-generation students and students of color can earn a bachelor’s degree and help close the equity gap.”

Clark’s Director of Advising and Career Services Emily Meoz explained that the previous system required students interested in transferring to make the first move by contacting either a Clark advisor or the admissions office at WSU Vancouver.

“This program takes the guesswork out of the transfer process for our students,” Meoz said. “Now, instead of waiting for students to come to us, we go to them. We will create intentional outreach to students to get them on the transfer pathway early.”

Q & A about Guaranteed Admission Program

Q: How does this transfer agreement benefit Clark students?

A: Here are the benefits to Clark students:

• Direct pathway to WSU Vancouver to pursue a bachelor’s degree
• Intentional, additional support and guidance with transfer process
• Guaranteed transfer advising at Clark at least twice per year
• Early connection and long-term plan review by WSU Vancouver at least twice per year
• Special events to guide and support transfer process
• Automatic reverse transfer opt-in to earn a Clark College credential even if the student transfers prior to completing Clark’s program

Q: How does a Clark student become eligible for this transfer agreement?

A: Any student who plans to transfer to WSU Vancouver must:

• Pursue a direct transfer degree at Clark College
• Complete a declaration of intent form
• Meet with Clark academic advisor at least twice per year
• Apply to WSU Vancouver
• Complete minimum 60 credits of college-level units towards an associate degree and earn a 2.0 minimum grade point average from 100-level and higher coursework, as calculated by WSU Vancouver. Some majors at WSU Vancouver require a higher GPA.

Q: What is the essence of this transfer program?

A: It provides intentional support and guidance for students so the credits they take at the outset will transfer to WSU Vancouver. That results in students saving money, reducing student debt and increasing graduation rates of transfer students.

Q: Wasn’t there already a transfer agreement between Clark and WSU Vancouver? How is this different from the previous transfer agreement with WSU Vancouver?

A: Yes. Clark graduates with a minimum 2.0 GPA already are guaranteed admission to WSU Vancouver, but it is not widely known or marketed directly to students. The previous system required students interested in transferring to make the first move by contacting either a Clark advisor or the admissions office at WSU Vancouver. Under the new transfer agreement, Clark will create intentional outreach to students to get them on the transfer path early.

Q: How was the transfer agreement developed?

A: This transfer program was developed by Advising leaders from both Clark College and WSU Vancouver who participated in a year-long Aspen Institute project focused on increasing transfer success and reducing inequitable graduation rates among underrepresented students. Learn about The Aspen-AASCU Transfer Student Success and Equity Intensive here.

Q: Does Washington State University have similar guaranteed admission agreements with other community colleges in the state?

A: Yes. WSU has similar agreements with three other community colleges:

• WSU Pullman with Spokane Falls Community College
• WSU Tri-Cities with Columbia Basin College
• WSU Everett with Everett Community College

Welcome Week kicked off on Monday, January 8 with the first day of winter term and for the first back-to-school day of 2024. A popular feature of Welcome Week is the staffing of information tables set inside buildings all around campus with helpful volunteer staff answering students’ questions, helping them find their classes, and offering campus maps. The tabling to assist students would not be possible without so many staff and faculty volunteering their time to help Clark students. 

Just as in fall term, parking lots were crowded as thousands of students returned to classrooms and labs across the main campus, at the Clark College Building at Washington State University Vancouver, and Clark’s Columbia Tech Center after winter break.  

Unlike the beginning of fall term, when the weather invited students outside, students gathered indoors to greet friends and catch up before dashing off to their next class.  

Student Involvement Fair 

Later in the first week, Gaiser Hall’s Student Center bustled with activity as students, staff, and faculty gathered for Clark’s Winter Beach Party Involvement & Financial Wellness Fair in the Gaiser Hall Student Center on January 11. Students stopped at the tables that filled the hall to ask questions and to learn more about the college’s support services, student clubs, and programs. 

Clark College wants to ensure students know about and can access wrap-around services, including Penguin Pantry, Disability Support Services, Counseling and Health Center, and more. The Student Involvement Fair, which is held during the first week of every quarter, is an excellent way for students—particularly new students—to learn more about these programs, services, and opportunities. 

Students had the opportunity to learn more about the college’s student clubs, programs, on-campus jobs, and college and community resources. Students also connected with peers with shared interests—from learning Spanish to building a rocket to drawing comics, and more.   

To promote a fun atmosphere, students lined up for free fruit smoothies and snow cones.  

At Clark’s ASCC student government table, student leaders answered students’ questions and shared information about getting involved with student government. Read about ASCC here. 

Students stopped by the Activities Programming Board table to learn about upcoming opportunities to connect with fellow students—including Bingo, movies, trivia games, free pizza, and more. Read about APB here. 

At the Spanish Club table, students learned about opportunities to participate in field trips to learn more about the Spanish language as well as immersing themselves in Hispanic culture. 

At the Model United Nations Club table, students learned about the opportunities to participate in mock UN representations and delegations.  

 At the Columbia Writers Series table, students learned about the literary series and an upcoming opportunity to meet Anis Mojgani, the poet laureate of Oregon, on February 13. Learn more about CWS here.  

Students and graduates who have had their work published in The Iceberg, the art department’s annual student comics anthology, offered copies of the 2023 Iceberg as well as several past issues. They encouraged artists and writers to submit their work for the 2024 Iceberg. The deadline is May 1 for the 2023 Iceberg comics anthology that will be distributed in October.  

At the Korean Culture Club table, students saw traditional clothing and learned what the club offers: K-Pop, K-Dramas, Korean food, history, and more. The club kicked off the year with a dance event. Next, club members are organizing a Lunar New Year celebration in February. 

Several students crowded around the Clark Aerospace Club table to chat with aerospace club students to learn more about opportunities to help build a rocket. Behind them, their “Little Penguin” rocket they designed and built last academic year reached toward the sky. Over the summer, some of the students competed in the world’s largest intercollegiate rocket competition in Las Cruces, New Mexico.  

An increasing number of students have been requesting food assistance from the Penguin Pantry. But many students are not aware of a plethora of other food pantries offering food assistance. Students stopped by the Clark County Food Bank table to talk with volunteers who provided a comprehensive list of free food pantries available throughout Clark County.  

A student thanked the food bank volunteer, accepted the printed list of food resources, and tucked it into his backpack.  

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish