Clark College honored its 87th graduating class at the 2023 Clark College Commencement ceremony on June 15 at the RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater. The college conferred 1,833 degrees and certificates on 1,601 graduates, the next generation of our community’s workers, leaders, and scholars. More than 520 graduates and their guests gathered with college faculty and staff to celebrate their achievements.  

• 1,601 graduates who earned 1,833 degrees and certificates  
• 1,406 associate degrees  
• 1,100 direct transfer associate degrees 
• 81 bachelor of applied science degrees 
• 257 certificates 
• 89 high school diplomas  
• 450 Running Start students who graduated 
• 13 graduates from Larch Corrections Center; 12 students earned high school diploma or equivalent and 1 student earned the first Associate in Applied Science degree in Supervisory Management 

President Dr. Karin Edwards told the students, “We hope we have inspired you to excel and empowered you with the tools you need to transform your own life and others around you. Use the power of your degree to make the world a better place! As you move on to the next step of your life —and your next success — know that we are cheering you on to achieve the extraordinary!” 

Trustee Cristhian Canseco Juarez followed with these words, “For those of you who also come from another culture, embrace your differences. Use your language skills and gifts to connect across cultures, to advocate for and uplift others, and to make your community a better, more equitable place.” 

2023 Commencement Speakers:

• College President Dr. Karin Edwards 
• Trustee Cristhian Canseco Juarez, who spoke in both English and Spanish  
• Student speaker Darah Watts, Running Start student who earned her associate degree 
• CCAHE Faculty Union President and Professor of Communication Studies Suzanne Southerland 
• Interim Vice President of Instruction Dr. Jim Wilkins-Luton  

“We are entering a new chapter in our lives; this new chapter leaves behind our doubts, fears, and uncertainties. Because we have succeeded. Clark College has allowed us to have this precious moment by giving us, not only the power, but the tools to earn it.”

Darah Watts, Student Speaker

Sitting in the upper section of the amphitheater, Ruby Lainez-Pintor held up a large sign in support of her sister who was graduating: “Congratulations, Berenice!” 

After the last student had crossed the stage and the students had been conferred, the amphitheater crowd erupted with a cacophony of cowbells, kazoos, whoops, and clapping. 

Student Success Stories

It was a commencement that highlighted students’ legacy, courage, and second chances. 

Ashley Freese, Biology 

Ashley originally enrolled at Clark when she was 18, but shortly afterward became very sick with Hodgkins’ lymphoma and had to drop out of school. She returned to Clark in her 30s during the COVID pandemic. At commencement she crossed the stage and received an associate degree in biology. She is transferring to WSU Vancouver in the fall to earn a bachelor’s degree in environmental science. 

Bradon Monahan, Welding 

Bradon served his country as a Marine in Afghanistan, then Okinawa, then stateside. After a series of injuries, he was honorably discharged and faced surgeries and physical therapy. He enrolled in Clark’s Welding program because he likes working with his hands and welding helps him focus and calms his mind. Bradon earned his associate in applied technologies in Welding Technology. The day after commencement, Bradon, his wife, and their six children left for their next chapter in rural Oklahoma, where they bought a home. Although Bradon’s injuries prevent him from the rigors of fulltime welding, he plans to help local farmers by making welding repairs on their equipment.  

Amelia Harris, Running Start 

Amelia earned her associate degree while concurrently graduating from Fort Vancouver High School. She is a fourth-generation Clark College student. Her great grandmother, grandmother, grandfather, mother, and father all attended Clark. Amelia’s grandmother also worked for the college for 25 years. Amelia, who was captain of her high school’s bowling team, received a bowling scholarship to Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina, where she plans to major in business management and marketing.  

Thavian McKinney, Surveying & Geomatics 

On his last day of high school, Thavian severely fractured his leg, which required extensive surgery, and left him unable to walk for three months, followed by months of physical therapy. While he was recovering and could not stand for long, he enrolled in Clark’s Surveying & Geomatics program and completed his core classes online. But Thavian had to delay his first-year survey classes, which required lots of walking. He was given permission to complete two years of surveying courses during his second year. Before he graduated and earned an associate in applied science degree, he was hired as a lead survey technician at a design firm.  

Student Awards

Community College Presidents’ Award: Sonia Talero-Pachon 

Sonia received the 2022-2023 Community College Presidents’ Award in honor of Val Ogden. This annual scholarship is given to a Clark College graduate who demonstrates leadership potential, a commitment to community service, and academic achievement and is transferring to WSU Vancouver.  

Sonia exemplifies the resiliency and tenacity of first-generation college graduates. As a peer mentor in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, she worked with students in various cultural contexts, fostering connectivity, and embracing inclusivity. She believes in contributing to the community by cherishing her diversity, growing as an individual, and honoring her Colombian roots. Higher education is important to her because it opens the door to her dreams of owning and running a successful cultural events company to help systemically non-dominant communities demonstrate their artistic talent. She intends to become the first female in her family to graduate from a four-year university. 

Thanks to the Clark College Foundation’s generosity, two other graduates were selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship each:  

• Madelaine Debarber 
• Alexandria ‘Lexi’ Kneipp 

PTK All-Washington Academic Team Graduates  

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the honors society for two-year colleges, chose the following graduates based on academic excellence and community service:  

• Alexandria ‘Lexi’ Kneipp 
• Ella Merusic

Read more about the honorees

Faculty and Staff Awards

2023 Exceptional Faculty Award 

• Dan Alberghetti, Network Technology 
• Chef Earl Frederick, Cuisine Management 
• Dr. Jacob Funk, Music 
• Rebecca Herman, Dental Hygiene 
• Dr. Julian Nelson, English 
• Michiyo Okuhara, Japanese 

2023 Lora Whitfield Social Equity Award (announced at Opening Day 2022)

• Christina Smith, English 
• Cydney Topping, English  

2023 Exceptional Classified Staff Award (announced at Opening Day 2022)

• Chris Layfield, Security and Safety 
• Jessica Sanders, Transitional Studies 

2023 Exceptional Administrative Exempt Award (announced at Opening Day 2022) 

• Alyssa Voyles, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 

Tammy Thomas fulfilled her decades-long dream of becoming a nurse when her mother walked across the stage and attached a Clark College Nursing pin to her daughter’s lapel. Tammy was one of 29 nursing graduates celebrating completing their Registered Nurse education at Clark’s Nursing pinning ceremony on June 16 in Gaiser Student Center.  

The room was packed with families and friends—and so many babies, toddlers and young children—who had supported and cheered on their hard-working nursing students through the rigors of Clark’s program.  

During the ceremony, Ethan Cockerham received the Florence Nightingale Award, which is bestowed upon a graduate who has shown exceptional clinical performance. He spoke about how Clark’s nursing program is well respected throughout the region. When he first moved to the metro area to eventually attend nursing school, he was working as an emergency medical technician (EMT). At every hospital he walked into, he asked the staff which was the area’s best nursing program. Overwhelmingly, the answer was the same: Clark College.  

Ethan told his fellow nursing graduates: “We started at the height of COVID when it was chaotic and complicated with nursing strikes and vaccine refusals.” He added, “We’ve arrived! We have so much good to do in this world.” 

Angie Bailey, Nursing faculty department chair, explained that the Nursing graduates already have applied for licensure in the state they want to work in. They have one final step to take 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. 

Standing in the back of the room, she nodded toward the stage where the 29 new nurses sat and said, “Our students are phenomenal.”  

In turn, each graduate stood and was pinned by someone who was important in their journey to become a nurse.  

• Emilio Gomez was pinned by his wife, an ER nurse, with the help of their two children. 
• Janey Hume was pinned by her sister, Esther, a former graduate of Clark’s RN program. 
• Miriah Mallory was pinned by her husband, who held their baby. She had become pregnant and given birth while completing the nursing program. 
• Tammy Thomas was pinned by her mother, a nurse and nursing professor. 

Tammy’s nursing story 

Tammy always wanted to be a nurse because her mother, Linda Rose, was a nurse. After graduating from high school, Tammy enrolled in a nursing program at a community college in California, but life got in the way. With only two classes to go, she became pregnant. After her daughter was born, Tammy finished her general associate degree in 2000, but she had to put nursing school on hold to raise her daughter.  

Tammy said, “I worked as a human resources manager for 16 years while I was raising my daughter, but I was always thinking about nursing.” 

Tammy watched her mother’s fulfilling nursing career, which included working at Oregon Health Sciences University and then becoming a nursing professor at Concordia University. 

Meanwhile, Tammy’s daughter, Daryl Hogan, grew up, went to nursing school and is an oncology nurse. She is earning a master’s degree so that she can become a nursing professor just like her grandmother. 

Now inspired by both her mother and her daughter, Tammy decided to return to college to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse.  

She said, “I chose Clark because it has one of the best and most prestigious nursing programs around.”  

At age 52, Tammy graduated with an AA in Nursing DTA/MRP, and next will take her exam to become a Registered Nurse. Tammy is not planning on stopping there. She plans to earn her bachelor’s degree and to work in neonatal intensive care (NICU) or women’s health.  

In earning her nursing degree, Tammy joins her mother and daughter and completes their three-generation nursing family. 

“It’s been quite the journey,” Tammy said. “I have learned that I have the perseverance and courage to follow my dream,” Tammy said. “My advice to students: Don’t give up on your dreams. Believe in yourself. It doesn’t matter how old you are. Just set a goal to do what you love, believe in yourself, and take that first step. Then the next.”  

Then all 29 nurses stood and recited the Nightingale Pledge, pledging to uphold certain ethics and standards within their profession. It is a modified version of the Hippocratic Oath for doctors.  

Many of these nursing graduates have transferred to Washington State University Vancouver and will begin working toward their bachelor’s degrees in the fall. There is a seamless transition between the two schools and their nursing programs. 

History of Nursing at Clark

• First pinning ceremony: 1962 
• Number of total nursing graduates: 4,351 
• Number of nursing classes graduating: 144 

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.  

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish

The Mathematics Department is excited to announce the recipients of this year’s Sigma Scholarship. This scholarship was established in summer of 2020 to support and encourage students who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields to pursue higher-level mathematics.  

Congratulations to our 2023 Sigma Scholarship recipients: 

Abou Bakar Berthe 

STEM field: Mining Engineering 

2023-24: Clark College 

Oliver Rosas 

STEM field: Civil Engineering 

2023-24: Clark College 

Spencer Henwood 

STEM field: Computer Science 

2023-24: Portland State University 

Isaac Osorio Beltran 

STEM field: Computer Science or Engineering 

2023-24: Clark College 

Post and photos contributed by Kayoko Barnhill

Engineering and Computer Science students preparing to graduate presented their projects in an expo in the STEM Collaboratorium on June 6.  

Engineering Professor Izad Khormaee explained that at the beginning of the academic year, students were assigned a task: to build and design a project that solves a real-world problem. Students proposed their project and designed it in Fall term, built it in Winter term, and improved on it in Spring term.   

Brandon Eastman (above) designed and built an electric-powered robot for use in production line automation. His project combines mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science. 

“It’s very simple,” Brandon said. “It is three motors equaling three degrees of freedom. Each motor is a wheel.”  

Brandon is earning his associate degree in electrical engineering and transferring to WSU Vancouver to pursue a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.  

Mellanie Martin (above) displayed the bioinformatics program she created that applies computer science principles to biological data.  

“This program takes a DNA strand and transcribes it to RNA,” she said. “Bioinformatics is a growing field. We have so much biological data, but we don’t know what to do with it.”  

Mellanie is transferring to WSU Vancouver to earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science.  

Linnea Castro (above) a mother of three children, enrolled at Clark in her late 30s to pursue a career in computer science. She is transferring to WSU Vancouver to pursue her bachelor’s degree. She created a homework timer to encourage kids to focus for 25 minutes. 

“It’s fun to do a project that’s manifested around something you want to learn,” Linnea said.    

Outside on the terrace, Carlos Aragón (top of page) demonstrated his renewable energy project, Ram Power Energy, a wave-powered generator that transforms hydraulic energy into electrical energy. He hopes to use this technology to harvest the energy of the ocean waves to produce electricity and to extract hydrogen.  

Carlos is earning his associates in electrical engineering and is transferring to WSU Vancouver, where he plans to earn his bachelor’s degree while continuing to improve his project. Eventually, he believes this process could not only be used to generate energy but also to clean the oceans.   

“I’m excited to see how to use it,” he said. “I hope to inspire more students at Clark to research new sustainable and clean energy sources.” 

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish

Clark College International Programs students, faculty and staff gathered on June 8 to celebrate the graduation of eight students representing five countries: Canada, Colombia, Norway, South Korea, and Vietnam. Three of the graduating students have earned bachelor’s degrees.  

• Chau Boi Nguyen, Vietnam, Bachelor of Applied Science, Cybersecurity  
• Heymi Park, South Korea, Bachelor of Applied Science, Dental Hygiene  
• Jennifer Garcia-Caro, Canada, Bachelor of Applied Science, Dental Hygiene 
• Kiet Huang Ahn Pham, Vietnam, Associate of Science Transfer, Engineering 
• Oeyvin Fluge Rydland, Norway, Associate of Arts, general AA-transfer
• Sonia Talero Pachon, Colombia, Associate in Applied Science, Business Administration   
• Justin Craig Willis, Canada, Associate in Applied Science, Business Administration   
• Sungmin Yoon, South Korea, Associate in Arts, Studio Arts  

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

“The honor is ours to be a part of your story,” Shulnak told the students. 

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 2022-23 academic year, the college had 55 international students. 

International students hear about Clark College in a number of ways. The college’s international recruitment plan includes armchair recruitment, working with agents, both virtual and face-to-face recruitment fairs, social media campaigns, print and online marketing around the world, partnering with EducationUSA, and more. In addition, many students have relatives living in Vancouver or Clark County. 

Shulnak said, “We offer holistic support for our international students. We also provide opportunities for students to study abroad for an academic term.”  

International students who are acclimating to living in a new country, culture, language environment, and college campus community, go through an intense adjustment period. Shulnak said the college community can help foster a sense of belonging for our international students by making an effort to learn their names, offering assistance, inviting them to share their perspectives, encouraging campus engagement, and generally creating a welcoming environment.  As a college, adopting a culture of inclusion will help international student retention. 

International Programs students were recognized for completing the Intensive English Language program, for receiving scholarships, being student athletes, and more.  

Some students spoke at the podium to offer their insight and advice for students who are not yet graduating. 

“Living abroad away from your family can be very hard,” said Sonia Talero Pachon. “Check your mental health. I have friends at Clark, at my job, and outside of Clark. That’s what keeps me sane.” She added, “The unconditional support that Clark has given me made this graduation possible, and I am forever grateful for that.” 

A slideshow highlighted the program’s connections with students throughout the year, from a space to hang out in Penguin Union Building, to Sakura Festival, bowling, a Halloween party, and field trips to Port of Vancouver and the beach. 

Shulnak recognized the program’s 2022-23 International Peer Mentors, Sungmin Yoon from South Korea and Ziyad El Amrani from Morocco. The program is accepting applications for peer mentors for the 2023-24 academic year. Students need not be international students, but must be enrolled at Clark for fall, winter, and spring terms. For information, contact International Programs at international@clark.edu or 360-992-2390. 

About International Programs:  

International Programs provides support services and opportunities to foster a global perspective and cross-cultural competence for Clark College and the communities it serves. Learn more here.  

View International Programs electronic brochure here.     

Learn about Study Abroad programs here.  

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish

Graduates were celebrated at the Diversity Center graduation on June 7. 

Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards challenged the graduates: “Don’t minimize your accomplishment. Be proud of it. Don’t ever forget where you came from. Be your true authentic self. Every day of my life, I remind myself I’m from the Boogie Down Bronx.” 

Three graduates participated: 

• Matty Quinn, Associate in Fine Arts (Fine Arts: Studio Arts AFA) 
• Rona Young, Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Services 
• Tracy Taylor, Associate in Applied Science in Supervisory Management 

Alum Dee Harris, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion executive assistant, shared her story of living in a homeless shelter and being unsure of her future when a Clark College employee from Workforce Education Services spoke at the shelter about opportunities at Clark. Soon after, she enrolled at Clark and became a paralegal. Later she earned a bachelor’s degree. She has worked at the college for more than a decade. She has raised seven children.  

Dee said, “I never felt I didn’t have an opportunity at Clark College. This degree is yours. This is what you have accomplished. No one can take that from you.” 

In the keynote address, graduating student Matty Quinn shared their story of growing up in a low-income household that was unsafe and toxic. They first enrolled at age 18 but dropped out because “my life was a mess.” 

Later, when they decided to return to college, their mother was critical and unsupportive. Matty got help in therapy and returned to Clark. 

Matty said, “The past couple of years have been one of the biggest journeys of my life. I no longer have connections with people who bring me down. I’ve made my own family here.” 

Matty also took on leadership roles as a Student Ambassador and a peer mentor.  

“I was finally proud of myself,” they said.  

Next, Matty will be starting an internship as a paraeducator to help the future generation of kids and artists. 

Interim Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Vanessa Neal, closed with this inspiration: “Change is a constant part of life. You’ll face challenges and adversity. You’ll meet people who don’t understand you. Embrace your curiosity. Follow your opportunities. Lean into your courage over fear. Honor your truest self. Remember what matters and keep going.

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish

Congratulations to the 24 seniors of Clark College’s Dental Hygiene program, who presented their community oral health group projects via Zoom on June 5.

Over the course of eight months, students worked with various community groups to create and implement oral health projects for an identified need in that group. They assisted oral health patients at Kamlu Retirement Inn, Washington State School for the Blind, Clark College Child & Family Studies, SeaMar Community Health Centers Women’s Clinic, and Truewood Senior Living. The presentations via Zoom presented the group they worked with, the project they created and implemented, and what they learned.

Students get ample hands-on experience in the Firstenburg Dental Hygiene Education and Care Center on the college’s main campus. Under the direct supervision of licensed dental hygienists and dentists, students provide affordable dental care for more than 2,000 patients from the community annually.

“This year’s senior class has worked diligently to gain all the skills needed to work in our community to improve oral and overall health,” said Kristi Taylor, Dental Hygiene department chair and program director. “I am proud of each of them for their perseverance and dedication to learning the profession and providing compassionate care to our community.”

Professor Taylor added that the job placement rate for Clark’s Dental Hygiene graduates is 100%. Many of the graduating seniors already have been offered a position or have accepted a position.

Student Projects:

Group 1: Stephanie D., Aria B., Valentyna S., Ilona S., Arnoldo P.

Project: Community Oral Health Project with Older Adults (age 60+)

Description: Provide oral and systemic health education for residents (age 60+) at Kamlu Retirement Inn

Group 2: Lauren D., Rebecca H., Andrea A., Jennifer G., and Stephanie B.

Project: Community Oral Health Project with Visually Impaired Adolescents

Description: Provide oral health education and nutrition information for visually impaired adolescents at the Washington State School for the Blind

Group 3: Nicole F., Mackenzie C., Ceaira J., Savannah G., Mallary V.

Project: Community Oral Health Project with Children Ages 2-6

Description: Provide oral health and nutrition education for children ages 2-6 at Clark College Child & Family Studies

Group 4: Arghawan P., Sophia A., Caroline W., Ellie C., Brittany J.

Project: Community Oral Health Project with Pregnant Women

Description: Provide oral health and nutrition education for pregnant women at SeaMar Community Health Centers Women’s Clinic

Group 5: Alvina S., Arielle R., Chime L., Hyemi P.

Project: Community Oral Health Project with Older Adults

Description: Provide oral and systemic health education for residents at Truewood Senior Living community

About Clark College’s Dental Hygiene program

• Competitive 7-term program, with 61-64 units required prior to entry; total of 184-unit program
• Bachelor of Applied Science Dental Hygiene · Learn more about the program
• Learn about affordable dental care in the college’s Firstenburg Dental Hygiene Education and Care Center

Clark Queer Agenda kicked off Pride Month with its first-ever clothing swap on June 1. Students chose clothing new to them. Clothing was neatly stacked on tables in PUB 161. One table had jackets. Another held pants, another shirts, another dresses.  

Although many students donated clothing, students did not have to contribute clothing in order to shop. Blake chose a black overcoat and paired it with eggplant pants. Leilani found a peach shirt and black pants with multiple decorative zips. Lillian chose a lime green crop top with metal chain straps. Xoxia chose a black lacy button-up shirt.  

It was also just a hangout space where students could connect. One student played acoustic guitar while others sat around chatting. 

Alexsander Havens, president of Queer Agenda said the group promoted the event through its Discord server of about 70 students. ASCC President Casey Figone had posters made to hang around campus. 

Students engage in Mutual Aid 

The event was brainstormed during a Queer Agenda meeting when students were discussing future plans for the club and a desire to get more involved with advocacy. 

The idea of mutual aid was introduced by Jill Forgash, a student success coach who works in Clark’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion office and Cassandra Walsh, a Student CARE intern at Clark who is earning a master in social work degree at Portland State University. The group had expressed interest in arranging a clothing swap, and the event was a perfect fit with mutual aid. 

At its core, mutual aid is simply students helping other students.  

“Students in the group already were doing mutual aid without realizing it,” said Jill Forgash. “They share resources. They share clothing. They bring home-baked goodies to meetings.” 

“As the students started planning the clothing swap, we advocated for the event to be student run, student centered,” said Walsh. “It’s been cool to see this idea on paper and then see them run with it.” 

Forgash looked around the room and said, “This is a powerful example of community building.” 

Queer Agenda plans to offer a clothing swap at least annually, if not each term. In the future, they may partner with other clubs such as Black Student Union and Theater and would like to connect with other students interested in mutual aid. 

Clark Queer Agenda 

• Meets every Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Diversity Center (GHL 220) 
• Contact Alexsander Havens or Alyssa Voyles 
• Follow on Instagram: @clarkqueeragen

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish

Alpha Sigma Phi, Clark College’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa celebrated its new 424 members at the 2023 Induction Ceremony on the evening of June 1. About 120 new members will graduate this spring term.  

The official Honors Society for two-year colleges, Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) recognizes the academic achievement of college students and provides opportunities for its members to grow as scholars and leaders. Clark’s first PTK induction ceremony was in 1991. And it has been a five-star chapter for 27 out of 32 years since its inception. 

From the podium, Clark College President, Dr. Karin Edwards welcomed the scholars.  

Looking around the room, she said, “Congratulations on your achievements! I am so proud of all that you have accomplished. I look forward to seeing how you will impact the world.” 

Guest Speaker Clark College Trustee Rekah Strong spoke about being raised by a hardworking single mom in Northeast Portland. Their family lived in public housing. She remembers the shame of standing in the grocery store checkout line while her mom paid with food stamps.   

“Always honor where you came from,” she said. 

Trustee Strong said that her mother instilled in her the value of education, but she wasn’t equipped to guide her. She enrolled in Clark College and worked to improve her grade point average. 

“The beauty of community college is that you have people who will wrap around you and show you the way,” she said. 

Trustee Strong told the students, “You already understand that excelling in your academic life opens doors for you. You’ve found the internal tenacity, the internal drive. Make sure you hold onto that. It makes me excited how every one of you will influence this community.” 

Interim Vice President of Instruction Dr. Jim Wilkins-Luton did a show-and-tell with his martial arts white belt and black belt. He challenged students to consider what their own black belt journey—a long-held goal or dream—might be.  

He asked, “What’s one thing you can do tomorrow to start your black belt journey?” 

Michelle Lowery, Clark alumni and past PTK officer, told students the value of PTK and how it influenced her life. She said, “I want to thank the PTK members who helped me to see the good I can do.” 

2022-23 officers are Eliza Butters, Jasdeep Atwal, Lizbet Jimenez, Kaylee Bathe, Lexi Kneipp, Meridian Bonser, and Leo Sanchez.  

2023-24 incoming officers are Ziyad El Amrani, Kristin Mahan, Addison Johnson, Fennic Tatum, Nikhil Saahgal, and Natalie Perdun.  

Advisors are Darci Feider and Heather Leasure. 

About Phi Theta Kappa 

Phi Theta Kappa is the official Honors Society for two-year colleges. Established in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa has a presence on almost 1,300 community college campuses in 11 nations. The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two-year colleges in 1929. More than 3.5 million students have been inducted since 1918, with approximately 250,000 active members in the nation’s community colleges, making Phi Theta Kappa a true catalyst among members and colleges. Learn more at https://www.ptk.org/ 

Photos: Clark College/Maureen Chan-Hefflin

Nicole Harris, Director of Student Equity and Inclusion, (second from the right) stood in the Diversity Center and greeted people coming through the doors to participate in the Black Student Union (BSU) Kickback on May 24. The informal event occurs every term.  

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion provided food, music, and games. Mostly, it’s about connection and community. 

Harris explained, “This is a space for Black students, staff and faculty to gather to celebrate our accomplishments, Black Joy and share our stories.” 

People took turns introducing themselves to the group. Some are current students. Some are current Running Start students. Some are future students who plan to enroll at Clark next academic year.  

Then, it was time to fill their plates and gather together to listen to music, play games, and talk.  

If you are interested in getting notifications for this event, please reach out to Clark’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) at diversity@clark.edu or call 360-992-2292. 

ODEI is located on the second floor of Gaiser Hall (GHL) 214. The elevator is located by Financial Aid. 

Photo: Clark College/Susan Parrish