Recently I gathered with our college community to celebrate the opening of our Basic Needs Hub that will connect our students with resources and opportunities that can help them stay in school, complete their education, and achieve their academic and career goals.

Standing in that welcoming space, I felt gratitude for our basic needs team who will be working with our students: Caitlin Malvar, Basic Needs Navigator, is assisted by two Portland State University graduate students earning master’s degrees in social work, Meagan Montalto and Pearl Brown, who are the team’s Basic Needs Program Specialists. And of course, Oso, our Basic Needs therapy dog!

That experience in our Basic Needs Hub caused me to contemplate how education, opportunity, and support can impact lives.

The youngest of eight children, I grew up in one of New York City’s housing projects in the South Bronx. I attended public schools until my seventh-grade teacher noticed that I wasn’t being challenged enough academically and suggested I consider attending a private school, which I did. I received support from A Better Chance, an organization that opened the door for me to attend Columbia Prep—and changed my life.

At Columbia Prep, I was in the same city I’d lived in my whole life, but it seemed like an all-new city to me. I was exposed to many new experiences: the ballet, the symphony, museums, Broadway shows, all of which were part of my academic experience. That is when I first experienced the transformative power of education as well as the disparities that exist between the haves and have-nots.

One teacher assigned us to do research at the New York Public Library’s flagship location downtown where I was greeted by Patience and Fortitude, the regal marble lion sculptures at the entrance at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. It was a long way from the South Bronx, in many ways. In my music appreciation class, we were assigned to attend the New York Philharmonic. Although I used my free transit pass to travel to Lincoln Center, it was a stretch both culturally and financially because I had to pay for my own ticket.

I was fortunate. I had a home, my mother’s home-cooked meals, clean clothes to wear, and a loving family. But money for extras like symphony tickets was not easy to come by.

That experience got me thinking: Why aren’t my friends in the Bronx afforded the opportunity to the symphony or the ballet or the museum? Why did I have to leave my neighborhood to get a good education? I realized how unfair that was. My quest for education was driven by that realization—that “aha” moment.

Straddling the two worlds of midtown Manhattan and the South Bronx, I developed survival skills to co-exist in both worlds. I got an excellent education at Columbia Prep, but I was frustrated that I couldn’t get the same quality education in schools in the Bronx. That’s been part of the reason for my advocacy for equity. It has led me on the quest for equal access and equitable success for students. It is what drives me to champion Clark College’s equity-centered strategic plan.

Eliminating barriers for students

During my entire career working in higher education, I have learned that providing opportunities for equitable success for college students means eliminating barriers that can prevent them from beginning or completing their education. Many students struggle with maintaining basic needs including housing, food, clothing, healthcare, childcare, paying their utility bill, and more.

Today more than half of the state’s college students qualify as low-income, and about half also reported experiencing food insecurity or housing insecurity, and more than 10% reported experiencing homelessness, according to the Washington State Achievement Council.

We are seeing these same barriers reflected in Clark College students:

• 31% of our students are low-income
• 45% of our students are first-generation college students without a family member to help them navigate college, including financial aid concerns
• Our campus food pantry saw a 70% increase between 2022 and 2023 in the number of students accessing food for themselves and their households.

Clearly, our students’ needs are great—and even overwhelming for so many. At Clark College, we continually ask ourselves:

• How can we eliminate barriers for our students?
• How can we help them stay on their path and complete their degree?

We already were offering free food pantry boxes every month, free bus passes, reduced membership to our campus fitness center ($10 per term), free counseling and health center, and much more.

But it wasn’t enough. Many students at Clark College and throughout our state still face so many barriers. Recognizing this need, the Washington State Legislature passed Second Substitute House Bill 1559 in 2023 requiring all public postsecondary institutions to address student basic needs by employing a benefits navigator, a single point of contact for students to access resources including public benefits, emergency assistance grants, housing supports, and more.

Providing access to basic needs

The state’s plan includes these action points for every public college or university:

• Hiring a basic needs navigator (or benefits navigator)
• Creating and implementing a hunger-free and basic needs campus plan
• Providing services through a basic needs hub (or benefits resource hub)

I am pleased that we have hired a basic needs navigator, a new role supported by the state to provide a single point of contact for students seeking essential resources.

Our navigator, Caitlin Malvar, first developed a comprehensive, holistic plan of action for addressing our students’ food insecurity, housing instability, and other basic needs so that they can focus on their education.

Next, our navigator focused on establishing a basic needs hub in our student union building. It provides a single location on campus where students can connect with our navigator to access a range of vital services, learn what benefits they may be eligible for, and get help completing various enrollment applications for food, housing, healthcare, utilities, and more. Although many college students can qualify for assistance, most do not realize they are eligible for these resources.

“So many of our students do not realize they are eligible to receive SNAP benefits,” said Caitlin, who is helping eligible students apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). “We are destigmatizing the need for essential resources to thrive in higher education and in life.”

Crashing through barriers

Through the collaboration of our basic needs hub and our Workforce Education Services (WES) office, our students can now access wrap-around services and resources to help them complete their education. With all of these in place as we step into a new academic year, Clark students—and students around Washington State—are crashing through barriers as they step toward achieving their academic goals.

Photo: Clark College/Susan Parrish

Vice President of Instruction Dr. William “Terry” Brown shared his story with Clark students, faculty, and staff at the Fall Student of Color Luncheon on November 12 in PUB 161.

The free event is presented each term by Clark’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Multicultural Student Affairs. The purpose of the student luncheons is to allow students and employees to hear inspiring stories, connect with faculty, meet new friends, consider different career paths, and identify community resources and potential mentors.

Dr. Brown began by saying, “Today I have the opportunity to address the most important people here at Clark College—our students.”

Then he spoke directly to the students, weaving his personal stories into his narrative as a Black man growing up in Florida at the beginning of desegregation. He challenged societal norms, earning a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and then a doctorate.  

Dr. Brown said, “Never underestimate what students can achieve.”

He talked about how during the Civil Rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s, and how students were instrumental in bringing about societal change.

“When I look around this room, I see people who are fully capable of changing the world,” he added, “I am convinced that when capable, talented people are supported, there’s no limit to what they can achieve.”

He challenged students: “Nobody does anything really important by themselves. Surround yourself with people who will help you become successful.”

Decide who you want to be:

• Conceive your vision of yourself as a fully functioning human being.
• Choose – There’s power in choice: what you choose to be, where you choose to go, who you choose to spend time with. Not choosing is also a choice.
• Commit to where you’re going and what you’re doing.
• Challenge limitations, especially if they are self-imposed.

Dr. Brown told students: “Challenge your own limitations. Sometimes the biggest obstacles are the limitations we put on ourselves. To students of color, there are enough limitations out there. Don’t put limitations on yourself.”

He added, “People challenged my intellect, my competence, my identity, even my personhood.”

Here are some of the questions people have asked him:

• “Who the hell do you think you are?”
• “Why are you here?”
• “You’re too black.”
• “You’re too white.”

Dr. Brown said, “For the person of color, there will always be some challenge to your personhood. Take time every day to affirm your personhood. Your strengths. Your weaknesses. Where you come from. Where you’re going. This is a fight for our personhood.”

He spoke about the importance of finishing what we start: “Completing a task gives you a record of your accomplishment. You look back on what you’ve already done. That can be your guide to go forward.”

He charged the students to have the courage to conceive their vision of who they are and who they want to be, then to commit to their vision and achieve their vision. “It takes courage to see this through to the end.”

Dr. Brown concluded with a quote from author Marianne Williamson: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?”

Read a story here about Dr. Brown’s Penguin Talks presentation at Vancouver Community Library.

Connect with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI)

• In-person: Diversity Center, Gaiser Hall 214
• Phone: 360-992-2292
• Email: diversity@clark.edu
• Website: www.clark.edu/cc/diversity

Photo: Clark College/Susan Parrish

Clark College students, staff, and supporters gathered with the Clark College Foundation on November 6 at the Hilton in downtown Vancouver for a dinner event to celebrate the intersection between students, scholarships, and the community. The Clark College Foundation Annual Event: A Scholarship Story focused on the impacts of scholarships, not just in a student’s life, but how they ripple throughout the entire community.

Clark College mascot, Oswald, greeted guests and posed for photos. The evening ended with a rousing performance by White Lotus Dragon and Lion Dance Team.

The Foundation awarded more than $1.6 million in scholarships to Clark students during the 2023-2024 academic year, contributing to the over $9 million in financial aid grants and loans distributed to the students. Since the Foundation’s inception in 1973, it has supported Clark College with more than $85 million, including scholarships and grants for education and essential needs.

Cheree Nygard, chair of Clark College Foundation board of directors said, “Every scholarship represents an investment in the future, helping students who might not otherwise pursue their dreams. Whether it’s a single parent balancing work and school, a first-generation student blazing new trails, or someone retraining for a new career, scholarships make these stories of success possible. Education is the foundation of a thriving community, and at Clark, we are shaping the future of Southwest Washington, one student at a time.”

Nygaard continued, “I’m passionate about this work because I’ve seen firsthand how it changes lives. When we support education, we’re not just helping individuals — we’re empowering families, building stronger neighborhoods, and creating a ripple effect of positive change that touches us all.”

Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards said, “It is truly a privilege to be here tonight, as we come together to celebrate the transformative impact of scholarships on our students and our community. Scholarships are more than just financial aid—they represent hope, opportunity, and belief in the future. They give students the chance to pursue their dreams, and they remind us that when we unite in support of education, we can achieve incredible things. This sense of unity, this collective commitment to making a difference, is what sets Clark College apart.”

A Scholarship Story

First-generation college student and scholarship recipient Malina Siharath, pictured above, spoke from the podium about how receiving three scholarships from the Foundation is making her second year at Clark much less stressful than her first year.

She said, “In my first year of college, I paid all expenses out of pocket or with personal loans. Because of the Darby/Smith Scholarship, Fordham Scholarship, and the Clark Alumni Scholarship, I will graduate from Clark College with only that first year of debt.” She added, “When the community helps students through scholarships, they truly change students’ lives on their academic journeys.”

Siharath is pursuing a communications degree, with a goal of working in public relations and social media. She already is putting her skills to work as director of public relations of Clark’s Phi Theta Kappa honor society.

Clark College Foundation CEO Calen Ouellette, said, “What an incredible evening this has been! We’ve heard powerful stories of how scholarships transform lives—creating opportunities, igniting dreams, and opening doors that might otherwise stay closed. But the best part? This story doesn’t end tonight. In fact, it’s just beginning, and you’re all part of it.” He added, “If you’ve been inspired by the stories and would like to continue being a part of this ongoing narrative, I invite you to support Clark College scholarships. Every dollar you give helps write the next chapter in a student’s life.”

Thank you to the event sponsors

• Waste Connections
• U.S. Bank
• U.S. Bank Wealth Management
• Peterson & Associates
• Moss Adams
• The Columbian

Learn more:

Learn more about the Clark College Foundation here
Support future Clark College scholars – Donate here

Photos courtesy of the Clark College Foundation and photographer Emily Shirron.

On Tuesday, November 5, the Associated Students of Clark College (ASCC) and Activities Programming Board (APB) presented Democracy, Dogs, and Donuts to celebrate civic engagement on election day. Students handed out “I voted” stickers, provided voter information and delicious donuts. Therapy dogs — dressed flamboyantly in patriot red, white, and blue — mingled in the crowds to help soothe election anxiety.

For many Clark students, it was their first time being eligible to vote in either a general or a presidential election. ASCC student government led the effort to encourage new voters by hosting voter registration events on campus and directing students to the ballot box on campus.

ASCC Civics and Sustainability Director Keith Christian said, “ASCC and APB held the election day event as a way for Clark College students to celebrate our nation’s right to vote and get more engaged in the Clark College community. Helping Clark College students by engaging them in activities, volunteering, and getting more involved, we can find more ways to connect with each other and the community we live and work in.”

About ASCC and APB

The Associated Students of Clark College (ASCC) student government advocates and represents Clark College students by serving as the liaison between students and faculty, staff, administration, and the community.

The Activities Programming Board (APB) is charged with the creation of a comprehensive events calendar to include cultural, educational, family, and social events for Clark students both on-campus and virtually.

Photos: Clark College/Carly Rae Zent

On Friday, November 1, Clark College welcomed the community to its annual POWWOW as it hosted Educating for the Seventh Generation, a celebration of Indigenous cultures in Gaiser Student Center.

It was a family affair for all ages — from toddlers to teens, from young parents to senior grandparents and great-grandparents all reveling in the cherished community event. Vendors set up at tables to sell their crafts, including jewelry, art, and clothing.

First, Native American veterans presented the colors. Next, drummers sitting in a circle on the stage, pounded rhythms and chanted. That was the signal for the dancers. Wearing colorful regalia, dancers moved rhythmically along the floor as the bells on jingle dresses tinkling along with the drums.

Attendees were invited to participate in a round dance, and they jumped in, including Vancouver, Washington mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle. A blanket dance was also performed, and the blanket was spread out to collect donations for the college’s Dreamcatcher Scholarship.

Dreamcatcher Scholarship

One highlight of the event is announcing the students who were selected to receive a Dreamcatcher Scholarships. The scholarship is designed to help current and future Clark College students who identify as Native American Indian, Alaska Native, Hawaiian Native or indigenous to the Americas. The Dreamcatcher Scholarship will be awarded from the fund in the name of Becky Archibald and Anna Schmasow for their endless commitment advocating the education for the Seventh Generation. 

The 2024 Dreamcatcher Scholarship recipients are:

• Michelle Britz
• Dabai Do Che’
• Kayla Morgan

Scholarship recipient Kayla Morgan said, “I’m from Aniak, Alaska. I proudly embrace my Yup’ik heritage.”

The Clark College student is in her first quarter of the dental hygiene program pursuing her goal to become a dental hygienist.

Morgan said, “The Dreamcatcher Scholarship allows me to pursue this path, providing crucial support as I advance in my education and work toward making a difference in dental health.”

Scholarship recipient Michelle Britz has Tlingit ancestry. She is pursuing an associate in arts degree at Clark College and plans to transfer to a university to earn a bachelor’s degree to pursue her career goal of occupational therapist. Britz is a single mother of three young sons. Her oldest son with disabilities has been an influencing factor in her direction of study.

She said, “It’s been amazing seeing him grow and learn from various therapies. I’m very interested in how the mind and body work together. I’ve also always enjoyed helping people. Working with people directly keeps me engaged.”

Britz added, “It feels like I have a mountain in front of me, but I am going to do my absolute best to provide a happy and full childhood for them. Luckily, I have an opportunity to gain a degree that would allow me to help people and still be available for my children in the after-school hours. This scholarship, along with FAFSA, would relieve me and my family of some of the financial stress that tuition presents.”

History of the POWWOW at Clark College

Since 2009, Clark College has celebrated Indigenous cultures during the first weekend of November with a powwow that includes music, dance, food, vendors, honoring of veterans, and the announcement of the Dreamcatcher Scholarship honoring our vision of Educating for the Seventh Generation.

Clark College coordinates and hosts this annual event in honor of Native American Heritage Month. “Educating for the Seventh Generation” references our responsibility to teach the future Seventh Generation to maintain our resources, traditions, and customs. It is the way of caring and preserving for the Seventh Generation, which is a true sustainable practice to consider the impacts of every decision for the next seven generations into the future.

Learn more about Clark’s POWWOW here.

Photos: Clark College/Carly Rae Zent

On a misty, rainy morning in October, Josie Lesage’s Environmental Science 101 students gathered around her in the gravel parking lot at Sams Walker Recreation Area near Skamania Landing in the Columbia River Gorge, about 34 miles from the Clark College main campus.  

Lesage distributed gardening gloves and asked for volunteers to carry supplies to the work site. One student carried a bucket of garden spades. Others carried flats of Canada goldenrod. The native plants are grown by Clark students in Environmental Biology/Biology 101 classes at the Native Plant Center’s greenhouse. As they hiked along a gravel trail, Lesage stopped to point out a field that previous Clark students had seeded with native plants.

“Clark students have been involved with a habitat restoration project here for the past two years,” says Clark Professor Kathleen Perillo, Environmental Science and Biology, and co-director of the college’s Native Plant Center. Students gain hands-on experience learning about and working with native plants at the Native Plant Center and planting them at the U.S. Forest-managed restoration sites in the Columbia River Gorge. 

This restoration effort is a partnership with Clark College, the U.S. Forest Service, and The Center for Ecodynamic Restoration, a nonprofit organization based in Washougal. 

Restoring habitat

After Lesage demonstrated the preferred planting technique, the group stepped off the trail and passed a sign that read: “Please keep off. Revegetation in progress.” As they walked uphill to the planting area, they snaked around a rusty relic of farm equipment, its iron wheels encased with thick moss. This artifact and a crumbling foundation are the few remaining remnants of the farms operated by the Sams and Walker families on this land in another era.

But much more recently, this entire area—the field and adjacent wooded areas—was overgrown with non-native invasive species including reed canary grass, pasture grasses, and towering Himalayan blackberry plants. Now, the ground is covered in decomposing blackberry canes. Over the past two years, Clark students and other volunteers have begun planting non-invasive native plants. Fields are sewn with a mix of 33 different native species including Canada goldenrod, western yarrow, streambank lupine, bigleaf lupine, Douglas aster, milkweed, and more.

Reaching a broad hillside, the group stopped while Lesage offered final instructions. Setting down their umbrellas, backpacks, and clipboards, the students carried pots of Canada goldenrod all along the field, then knelt on the rain-soaked ground and got to work.

With so many hands working, the planting was soon completed. Although these plants are tiny now, they soon will mature and reseed with the help of the wind and birds. To demonstrate how quickly this transformation can occur, Lesage led her students over the hill and stood amid a thriving native landscape students had planted two years earlier.

Sams Walker Recreation Area

Sandy Haigh, a former Clark College biology professor, is the president of The Center for Ecodynamic Restoration (CEDR). She manages the restoration project at Sams Walker Recreation Area, which was established by the U.S. Forest Service in the 1990s. Working with the Forest Service, Clark College, and other partners, CEDR works to restore native habitats at the site. The project is funded with National Forest Foundation grants to CEDR.

Haigh defined ecological restoration as the process of restoring damaged or disturbed ecosystems to their natural state. CEDR works closely with Clark College Native Plant Center. Biology students propagate native plants in the campus greenhouse. Then professors Lesage and Perillo’s environmental science students plant the native species at Sams Walker and at St. Cloud, another project two miles west. This cooperative work introduces students to ecology, demonstrates the role of natives in ecological systems, and encourages them to enter related fields of work.

Perillo said, “We want our students to learn what a healthy Pacific Northwest ecosystem looks like and what it takes to restore it. We are teaching them about native plants and their role in native systems. But it goes beyond that to be able to show how a healthy system starts from the ground up and goes from soils to plants to pollinators on up to our apex predators. Everything in the system relies on everything else. That’s an important takeaway.”

She added, “We also want to empower students to see that they can be a part of worthwhile work in restoring systems and even take that knowledge back to their own backyards. It’s a way to tackle some of the nihilism that infuses many of our students in the face of climate change and the biodiversity crisis.” 

Becoming an Environmental Scientist

First-year Clark student Kylie Miller (pictured above), one of the students who participated in the restoration work at Sams Walker, is pursuing a career as an environmental scientist. “I chose this field because I grew up in Southern Oregon and constantly being in nature made me a proud tree hugger.”

Miller grew up hiking, kayaking, snowboarding, gardening “and doing just about anything outdoors I could.” In high school, she took environmental science classes and was inspired by her teacher to pursue a career in the field. She helped start an environmental activism group, worked toward restoring the campus greenhouse, and planned local cleanups.

She chose Clark College for its strong environmental science program and because she was recruited to play volleyball for the Penguins. Miller is pursuing an associate transfer degree in environmental science and plans to earn her bachelor’s degree at Oregon State University, University of Oregon or Washington State University.

Miller said the planting project at Sams Walker Recreation Area “was a great experience to get a taste of what it would really be like to work in the field. I know for a fact I want to be hands on and in the field making change and impacting the ecosystems I’m working with for the better.”

Learn more

• Call to action: Volunteer at the October 26 work party at Sams Walker Recreation Area. Click here to sign up.
• Visit the site:

  • Sams Walker Day Use/Picnic Area: Located 34 miles from Clark College and 12 miles east of Stevenson, Washington.
  • Directions: No street address. Take Washington State Highway 14 west into the Columbia River Gorge. Turn right at milepost 32.8 onto Skamania Landing Road. Drive ¼ mile, crossing the railroad tracks. Turn right into the parking lot.
  • Amenities: Trails, toilet, picnic table. NW Forest Pass required. Learn more here.

• Learn more:
  • Project partner The Center for Ecodynamic Restoration, Washougal.

  • Habitat restoration at the Sams Walker Recreation Site near Skamania Landing along Highway 14 in the Columbia River Gorge here.

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish

Isaac Aguilar (pictured above recieving his nursing pin from his mother) has a heart for helping people. After working as a certified nursing assistant and an emergency medical technician, he realized he wanted to be a nurse and enrolled in Clark’s well-respected nursing program.

As a nursing student, he completed a residency in a hospital intensive care unit and had another realization: “I really like connecting with families on their hardest day.”

No doubt Aguilar will be a stellar, dedicated nurse.

Aguilar and 26 fellow nursing students from Clark College’s 147^th nursing cohort graduated on June 20. The following night, they gathered with their loved ones to celebrate their achievement during their pinning ceremony on June 21 in Gaiser Student Center. These graduates earned their associate of arts in Nursing DTA/MRP. Next, they will take their exam to become a Registered Nurse. Most of them shared their plans to continue their education and earn their bachelor’s degree in nursing, or BSN.

Benjamin Kramer, the student speaker, provided medical care in the U.S. Navy before he enrolled in Clark’s nursing program. He thanked his wife and their two daughters for their support while he focused on Clark’s intense, two-year program.

He told his fellow nurses, “A lot of the medicine we do is not glitzy, but it will pay dividends for our patients.”

Allie Bryant (above, right) received the Clinical Excellence Award, bestowed on a graduate who has shown exceptional clinical performance.

In accepting the award, she said, “I decided to become a nurse because of my grandfather. He would be so proud.”

Then it was time for the pinning ceremony. In turn, each graduate stood and was pinned by someone essential in their journey to becoming a nurse: parents, spouses, partners, siblings, children, and best friends. 

• Allie Bryant was pinned by her father.
• Isaac Aguilar was pinned by his mother.
• Juliah Larson was pinned by her husband, while she held their baby.
• Simon Kirpa was pinned by his wife.
• Alicia Beach was pinned by her friend, Jennifer, a nurse.
• Katy Hammond was pinned by her mother, and her husband and their children stood at the ready with congratulatory hugs.
• Timothy Allen was pinned by his partner, Davin Kortt.
• Kayla Brosius was pinned by her parents.
• Alicia Bjur was pinned by her young daughter, accompanied by her husband and son.

After all 27 new nurses had been pinned, they stood and in unison, recited the nursing pledge, pledging to uphold certain ethics and standards within their profession. It is a modified version of the Hippocratic Oath for doctors. 

Nursing graduates already have applied for licensure in the state they want to work in. They have one final step to earn an “RN” after their name. They must pass a rigorous exam, the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-RN. It is a nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses in the U.S., Canada, and Australia.

Many of these nursing graduates shared their plans to continue their education. Many have transferred to Washington State University Vancouver and will begin working toward their bachelor’s degrees in the fall, thanks to a seamless transition between the two schools and their nursing programs. Others have chosen online programs. Many graduates are heading for a well-deserved vacation after completing Clark’s rigorous nursing program.

After the ceremony, nurses, their families, and supporters headed for the reception. Several families walked outside into the warm, sunny evening to take photos.

But still inside Gaiser Student Center, new nurse Vanessa Kuhn (above, left) posed for a photo with her family. Her young son was fidgety. And hungry. When were they going to eat, he asked? She reassured him that they could go to the reception and eat after they took a photo to remember this celebratory night.

A photo was taken, and nurse Vanessa Kuhn stepped toward her new career.

Megan’s Nursing Story

Megan Boucher (above) dreamed of being a nurse, but as the mom of three young boys, she stepped toward her dream gradually. First, Megan completed the phlebotomy certification at Clark. She worked as a phlebotomist for eight years before returning to Clark to complete her prerequisites for the nursing program.

Megan persevered through breast cancer treatment while completing her nursing degree and raising her children as a single mom. It’s been almost two years since her diagnosis, and she is responding very well to her treatment.

Now her sons are teenagers. Megan said, “My sons are my inspiration… Even when I want to give up, I know that they are watching and need their mom to be strong and not give up.”

Megan hopes that sharing her own story will encourage those going through difficult times to keep going.

At last, she’s reached her longtime goal: Registered Nurse, and has accepted her dream job as a hospice nurse at PeaceHealth’s Ray Hickey Hospice House.

She said, “My heart is with hospice nursing. I desire to provide emotional, physical, and spiritual care for my patients and their loved ones during the end-of-life process. It is an honor to be allowed to walk that road with them.”

Megan Boucher graduated winter term 2024, but she participated in the June 20, 2024, commencement ceremony.

History of Nursing at Clark

• First nursing cohort to begin associate degree program: 1962
• Number of total nursing graduates: 4,434
• Number of nursing classes graduating: 147

Nursing Pledge

In full knowledge and understanding, I promise to care for the sick with all of the skill and understanding I possess, without regards to race, creed, color, politics, or social status, sparing no effort to preserve quality of life, alleviate suffering, and promote health. I will respect at all times the dignity and beliefs of the patients under my care, holding in confidence all personal information entrusted to me, and refraining from any action which may endanger life or health. I will endeavor to keep my professional knowledge and skills at the highest level and give loyal support and cooperation to all members of the health care team. I will do my utmost to honor the international code of ethics applied to nursing and uphold the integrity of the nurse. 

Learn more about Clark College’s nursing program here.

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish

Clark College honored its 88^th graduating class at the 2024 Clark College Commencement ceremony on Thursday evening, June 20, at the RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater. Over 640 graduates and their guests gathered with college faculty and staff to celebrate their achievements. This auspicious ceremony honored students graduating with their bachelor’s or associate degrees, and those earning certificates, high school diplomas, and/or GED completion.  

2024 Commencement Highlights

Clark College conferred a total of 1,783 degrees and certificates on the next generation of our community’s workers, leaders, and scholars. This translates to the following: 

• 1,193 Associate degrees including: 
• 1,024 graduates earned direct transfer associate degrees to continue their education seamlessly at a four-year university 
• 617 graduates completed their associate degree or certification in career-focused fields, ready for the workforce 
• 96 Bachelor of Applied Science degrees in the fields of applied management, cybersecurity, dental hygiene and human services including: 
• 5 graduates from the first cohort earning a Bachelor of Applied Science in Teacher Education  
• 446 Running Start students who also are graduating from high school 
• 431 certificates of proficiency, achievement and completion 
• 63 graduates earned  high school diplomas 

2024 Degrees and Certificates conferred included the: 

• Bachelor of Applied Science degree; 
• Associate in Arts degree; 
• Associate in Fine Arts degree; 
• Associate in Science degree; 
• Associate in Applied Science degree; 
• Associate in Applied Technology degree; 
• Certificate of Proficiency; 
• Certificate of Achievement; 
• Certificate of Completion; 
• High School Diploma; and  
• General Educational Development (GED) Completion 

Speakers at the 2024 Commencement included:  

• Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards 
• Clark College Board of Trustee President Cristhian Canseco Juarez, in both English and Spanish 
• Graduating Student Ziyad El Amrani, Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Management degree  
• CCAHE Faculty Union President and Professor of Communication Studies Suzanne Southerland 

Clark President Dr. Karin Edwards touted recent Clark successes: enrollment has increased 10%, more in-person classes are being offered, student engagement has increased, and its new campus at Boschma Farms in Ridgefield is nearing completion. 

After sharing the inspiring stories of three graduating students, Dr. Edwards said, “These are just three examples of the transformational power of a community college education. Graduates, whatever path your future takes you, the return on your investment is invaluable. You believed in yourself and invested in bettering yourself. The result is that everyone benefits. You, your family, your community, and the world benefit by having your well-educated mind at work. We congratulate and applaud you for your dedication, your hard work, and your sacrifice.”  

Trustee Cristhian Canseco Juarez (pictured above) followed with these words, “What an accomplishment! Through your perseverance and hard work, you did it! Congratulations!” He added, “Many of you, like me, are the first person in your family to graduate from college. Did you know that about 45% of Clark students are the first in their family to attend college? You have sacrificed to make a difference for your family and your future… Penguins Class of 2024, tonight you begin an exciting new journey. Pursue your dreams, reach toward your goals—and make the world a better place. All of Penguin Nation believes in you.”  

Transformed Lives 

Before the commencement ceremony, students waiting outside the amphitheater shared their stories that spoke to the transformational power of education. 

Clark Libraries employees earn degrees. Amanda Brown (pictured above third from the left in white robe), Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Management (BASAM): Brown is the program manager in Clark Libraries. She realized she would have more opportunities with a bachelor’s degree, so she worked full time while attending Clark full time and achieved her goal. Amanda stands with fellow Clark graduates Courtney Cichosz, a former Clark Libraries student employee, and current Clark Libraries employees Shay Walter and Bridgit Callaway.

A trio of Running Start students Lemman Gurre, Aalaa Hassan, and Nevaeh Fang earned direct transfer associate degrees and are headed to University of Washington and Washington State University Vancouver to pursue bachelor’s degrees. Gurre plans to become a pharmacist; Hassan, a biomedical engineer. Fang is undecided. 

Slade Samson Griffith, a first-generation college graduate who was adopted from Haiti, earned a direct transfer associate degree. He has joined the U.S. Navy and plans to continue his education after he has completed his military service. 

Rachel Kreitel, (pictured above) had not completed high school, but 20 years later, she enrolled at Clark and earned her GED and then an associate degree in Nursing. She realized she wanted to pursue a career in human resources, so returned to Clark again to earn a Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Management. 

Life got in the way for Elizabeth Rivera, and she hadn’t had an opportunity to graduate from high school. She has four children, ages 6 to 18, and has worked full time at an assembly job for 16 years. Rivera wants to move into a leadership position, so she enrolled in Clark’s Transitional Studies high school plus program full time while working 12-hour shifts Friday, Saturday and Sunday—and caring for her family. Now she plans to pursue a project management position and is considering returning to Clark to earn an associate’s degree.   

The following were recognized during commencement

2024 Community College Presidents’ Award in honor of Val Ogden was received by Graduate Simon Kirpa (pictured above). This annual scholarship is awarded to a Clark College graduate who is transferring to Washington State University Vancouver.  The recipient must demonstrate leadership potential, a commitment to community service, and academic achievement.  

Kirpa joined the U.S. Army and served as a medic in Iraq, where he demonstrated his leadership skills and his ability to put patients at ease. He chose to continue pursuing medicine after completing his military service and applied to Clark’s nursing program. He completed this challenging program while balancing being a husband and father, caring for his mother, and volunteering weekly at his church to offer free meals to those in need. Despite his responsibilities, he consistently completed high-caliber work in his classes, performed his duties with diligence, and provided excellent care in hospital settings. At WSU-Vancouver, Kirpa will study to become an Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner and specialize in family medicine. 

Thanks to the generosity of Clark College Foundation, the Presidential Scholarship taskforce selected two other recipients of a $1,000 scholarship each: 

• Alexandra Rose, associate of arts 
• Alita Sundberg  

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society for two-year colleges selected the following graduating students for its All-Washington Academic Team, based on academic excellence and community service: 

• Addison Johnson, direct transfer associate degree in Bioengineering 
• Lisa Segretto, direct transfer associate degree in Psychology 
• Ethan Mahan, associate in applied technology degree in Medical Assisting; additional certification in Phlebotomy   

Faculty and Staff Awards were also recognized during commencement

2024 Exceptional Faculty Award recipients: 

• Halina Brant-Zawadzki, Nursing 
• Sarah Luther, Mathematics 
• Sarah Blanchette, Human Services 
• Tanya Diaz-Kozlowski, Women’s Studies  
• Rebecca Engel, American Sign Language  
• Catherine Johnston, English as a Second Language 

2024 Exceptional Classified Staff Award recipients: 

• Cheryl Davenport, Collections and Specialist, Library  
• Jennifer Lea, Program Specialist, Business department  

2024 Exceptional Administrative Exempt Award recipient:  

• Vanessa Watkins, Director of Entry Services 

2024 Lora Whitfield Social Equity Award: 

• Ezekial Wells, Program Specialist 3, Workforce Education Services 

View more photos in the Flickr Album https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBw9HL

Clark College Diversity Center, International Programs, and Bachelor of Applied Science in Teacher Education program celebrated their graduating students at ceremonies on Thursday, June 13.

Diversity Center Graduation Ceremony and Reception

More than a dozen graduates were celebrated at the Diversity Center graduation reception. Systemically non-dominant graduating students (students of color, queer students, and students with disabilities) of Clark College and their families or support network participated in the college’s annual Diversity Center graduation reception to honor the hard work of graduates and uplift the support provided by family and communities.

The program presenters were:

• Welcome: Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards
• Opening remarks: Alum Kodi Findlay
• Meaning of the stoles: Alyssa Montminy, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• Keynote speaker: Eduardo Javier Ramirez-Guzman, Spanish Club President who is graduating on June 20
• Flower ceremony: Rosalba Pitkin, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Closing remarks: Vanessa Neal, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Vanessa Neal, told graduates: “In our vision as a college one of the key components is being a beacon of hope, and it is you and your determination which truly serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration, not only for yourselves and families but also future generations.”

Congratulations, Class of 2024!

Learn more: https://www.clark.edu/campus-life/student-support/diversity-and-equity/

International Programs Graduation

Clark College International Programs students, faculty, and staff gathered to celebrate the graduation of 16 students representing 12 countries. Four of the graduating students have earned bachelor’s degrees. The celebration also recognized students completing the Intensive English Language Program, scholarship recipients, students who engaged in Optional Practical Training work experiences, and International Peer Mentors.

• Thomas Antis, Germany, AA Transfer DTA
• Raju Chaudhari, India, Mechatronics
• Tu Do, Vietnam, Dental Hygiene BAS
• Isabella Kern, Austria, AA Transfer DTA
• Ju Hyung Kim, South Korea, Dental Hygiene BAS
• Emiri Sato, Japan, Web Development 
• Keyli Alvado Pineda, Costa Rica, AA Transfer DTA
• Shedrack Mollel, Tanzania, Pre-Nursing
• Huijun Tao, China, AA Transfer DTA
• Chan Tran, Vietnam, AA Transfer DTA
• Nacius Chamtany, Kenya, Pre-Nursing
• Mercy Krugat, Kenya, Pre-Nursing
• Sharon Kimani, Kenya, Pre-Nursing
• Afnan Ajina, Qatar/Palestine, Engineering
• Ami Teramura, Japan, Teacher Education, Bachelor (BAS)
• Ziyad El Amrani, Morocco, BASAM

Jody Shulnak, associate director of International Programs, Maggie Li, International admissions manager, and Kristen Fowler, international programs coordinator, presented graduating students with colorful stoles representing their country’s flag. Students will wear these stoles over their robes at commencement.

 “Each of you in this room took a giant leap of faith and invested a tremendous amount of effort to make your way to Clark College,” Shulnak told the students. “Today commemorates the many ways you have thrived here, and it is a privilege to be a part of your journey.”

Some of the graduating students shared their exciting next chapters. Six students are transferring to four-year universities to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Sharon Kimani has been accepted into Clark’s Nursing program. Raju Chaudhari, who is earning a Mechatronics degree at Clark, has accepted a job with Intel in New Mexico.

International Programs provides support services and opportunities to foster a global perspective and cross-cultural competence for Clark College and the communities it serves. The program also offers an Intensive English Language program. During the 2023-24 academic year, the college had 64 international students.

Learn more: https://www.clark.edu/international/

For reference, here’s 2023 story: https://news.clark.edu/2023/06/international-programs/

Bachelor of Applied Science in Teacher Education

Clark College celebrated the first cohort of students graduating from its Applied Science in Teacher Education (BASTE) program at a moving pinning ceremony in Child and Family Studies. Family and friends gathered to support the graduates.

The five students graduating with a BASTE degree are:

• Caroline Abernathy
• Tammy Salazar
• Olivia Stevens
• Ami Teramura
• Emily Thompson

“As I think about the arc of the BASTE program from inception to the culmination of the first graduating class, I’m reminded of the ‘village’ it takes to bring forth the quality of this program these students represent,” said Sarah Theberge, Bachelor of Applied Science in Teacher Education and Early Childhood Education faculty. “There have been many voices embedded into BASTE and none more important than these fabulous five folx who have proven to be the finest of learners and have shared the gifts of their learning broadly in classrooms across our community. It’s a proud day for all of us.”

The Bachelor of Applied Science in Teacher Education (BASTE) degree program is a two-year program that leads to certification in preschool-through 8th grade and endorsements in bilingual education, special education, and early childhood special education.

Learn more: https://www.clark.edu/academics/programs/public-service-society-and-education/baste/

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish and Carly Rae Zent

Clark College students were recognized for their outstanding achievements during the annual OSWALD Awards on May 30 in Gaiser Student Center. These students were selected because they are Outstanding Students With Academic Leadership and Development Skills (OSWALD).

Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards welcomed the students and their families. She told the students who will graduate in three weeks: “I’m incredibly excited for you. Don’t let anyone minimize your accomplishment. Congratulations!”

To all the award winners she said, “I want you to know how happy I am for you. Know that you are always a part of Clark College. You can wear your Penguin proudly.”

More than 100 awards were bestowed on Clark students in these categories: Academic Award, Outstanding Student Employee Award, Outstanding Student in a Department Award, Outstanding Student in an ASCC Club Award, and Outstanding Student in an ASCC Program Award.

The Penguin Award

The final award was the Penguin Award, awarded annually to a student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and service to the Clark College community. This award is based on the student’s performance in the following areas: academics, leadership, community, and college service. A committee of staff and students reviews nominations and selects the student for this award.

Penguin Award Nominees

• Stephanie Crocker
• Melina Doan
• Ziyad El Amrani
• Sienna Hahn
• Emily Subroto

Penguin Award Winner

• Elizabeth Swift, ASCC Vice President

Academic Award

• Jasmina Camacena, Communication Studies
• Pamela Crawford, Communication Studies
• Dorji Damdul, Communication Studies
• Joshua DeWees, Communication Studies
• Tysson Dykes, Communication Studies
• Sidney Exum, Communication Studies
• Vella Hongel, Communication Studies
• Avery LeCocq, Communication Studies
• Carolina Lovato, Communication Studies
• Emma Mady, Communication Studies
• Ian McCuen, Communication Studies
• Cassandra McDaniel, Communication Studies
• Natalie Perdun, Communication Studies
• Angeline Stefanyuk, Communication Studies
• Kimberly Troncoso, Communication Studies
• Elliott Vazquez, Communication Studies
• Spencer Venable, Communication Studies
• Kristina Zubrovych, Communication Studies
• Cameron Steiger, Communication Studies/College 101
• Mieta Branch, Early Childhood Education
• Vanessa Herrera, Early Childhood Education
• Vash Martinez, Early Childhood Education
• Brenden Prothe, Physics
• Paige Cook, Sociology

Outstanding Student Employee Award

• Anna Bondar, Child and Family Studies
• Olena Bondar, Child and Family Studies
• Mia Caggianese, Child and Family Studies
• Grace Chen, Child and Family Studies
• Jozi Eller, Child and Family Studies
• Cindy Ildefonzo, Child and Family Studies
• Kristen Jensen-Minkler, Child and Family Studies
• Aspen Mallory, Child and Family Studies
• Uliana Rudoi-Kostyshyn, Child and Family Studies
• Ami Teramura, Child and Family Studies
• Naomi Lauser, Environmental Health & Safety Dept.
• Cassandra Williams, Environmental Health & Safety Dept.
• Jessie Donehey, Library
• Paden Geddings, Library
• Preston Hagan, Library
• Daniel Diego Hernandez, Multicultural Student Affairs Peer Mentors
• Tracy Fung, Multicultural Student Affairs Peer Mentors
• Leonardo Miguel Gallardo Dextre, Multicultural Student Affairs Peer Mentors
• Mercy Kariuki, Multicultural Student Affairs Peer Mentors
• Susanna Sixto, Multicultural Student Affairs Peer Mentors
• Zachary Pfenning, Transitional Studies
• LilyAnna Babien, Tutoring Services
• Caroline Campbell, Tutoring Services
• Hailey Cassell, Tutoring Services
• Anna Chaffee, Tutoring Services
• Jessica Clark, Tutoring Services
• Gurraj Dhami, Tutoring Services
• Hana Feldheger, Tutoring Services
• Eric Holtz, Tutoring Services
• Grant Hovik, Tutoring Services
• Kennadi Jones, Tutoring Services
• Nicholas Le, Tutoring Services
• Emma Mady, Tutoring Services
• Michelle Nguyen, Tutoring Services
• Ambrosia Stringer, Tutoring Services

Outstanding Student in a Department Award

• Lindsey Bross, Art
• Tanya English, Early Childhood Education
• Sarah Timmer, Early Childhood Education
• Ian Arellano Mendez, Music Department
• Lana White, Music Department
• Casey Nichols, Pharmacy Technician
• Eduardo Ramírez, Spanish Department
• Rohan Benda, Tutoring Services

Outstanding Student in an ASCC Club Award

• Colton Coughran, Japanese Club
• Jessie Mendoza, Japanese Club
• Sydney Phanthamath, Japanese Club
• Braedon Pitman, Japanese Club
• Zoe Rojas, Japanese Club
• Yaksi Amezcua, Spanish Club
• Ayden Borgoyne, Spanish Club
• Justin Cayambe, Spanish Club
• Nathan Gauna, Spanish Club
• Carolina Lovato, Spanish Club
• Eduardo Ramirez, Spanish Club
• Emily Subroto, Spanish Club
• Stephanie Wagner, Spanish Club

Outstanding Student in an ASCC Program Award

• Justin Cayambe Molina, Activities Programming Board
• Hanna Colwell, Activities Programming Board
• Austin Newton, Activities Programming Board
• Jaelyn Sayler, Activities Programming Board
• Mia Autumn, Aerospace & Robotics
• Alex Kari, Aerospace & Robotics
• Ethan Walter, Aerospace & Robotics
• Emma Sturm, ASCC Student Government
• Kathryn Johnston, Model United Nations
• Chela Donaldson, Orchestra
• Hana Feldheger, Orchestra
• DayAn Le, Orchestra
• Jackie Steidel, Orchestra
• Ziyad El Amrani, Phi Theta Kappa
• Michael Harrison, Phi Theta Kappa
• Mary Harter, Phi Theta Kappa
• Addison Johnson, Phi Theta Kappa
• Natalie Perdun, Phi Theta Kappa
• Nikhil Sahgal, Phi Theta Kappa
• Fennic Tatum, Phi Theta Kappa
• Connor Slattery-Piatt, STEM Nerd Girls & Engineering Program
• Johanna Wagner, STEM Nerd Girls & Engineering Program
• Madi Beck, Student Ambassadors
• Kaden Cole, Student Ambassadors
• Ziyad El Amrani, Student Ambassadors
• Jude Georgeades-Tambara, Student Ambassadors
• Mary Harter, Student Ambassadors
• Tiffany Lounsbury, Student Ambassadors

Learn more at  OSWALD Awards (clark.edu)

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish