Rotarians from around Clark County joined Clark College Foundation and Clark College for a tour of the new Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC) at Boschma Farms on February 4. Located just east of the Ridgefield Junction, the building will welcome its first general education classes during spring term. The Advanced Manufacturing program is under development.

Angela Torretta, above, of Clark College Foundation welcomed the Rotarians: “Clark College at Boschma Farms exists due to community demand. The college has been in conversation with individuals and organizations in Clark County who have shared the need for a local training center to provide skills to the current and future advanced manufacturing workforce.”  
 
Next, Amy Easton, president of the Rotary Club of Greater Clark County, stood on the steps of the AMC and greeted her fellow Rotarians: “This is a unique opportunity for all seven Clark County Rotary clubs to come together, foster collaboration, and celebrate our shared commitment to supporting education and strengthening connections within our community.”

Jay Schmidt, board chair of the High-Tech Council and Clark College’s Advanced Manufacturing Advisory Committee, paraphrased Dr. Terry Brown, Clark’s vice president of instruction: “This building will be a great place for experiential learning.”

Then the Rotarians divided into groups for a guided tour of the state-of-the-art building. They toured the classrooms equipped with the latest advanced manufacturing technology, the light-filled general education classrooms with high ceilings and tall windows, the quality assurance lab, the computer lab, and the collaboration spaces. They also toured conference rooms and other spaces that will be available for the community to rent for meetings, community groups, and other events.

The tour ended in the impressive high bay—the heart of the building. Here students will learn the fundamentals of advanced manufacturing, which is a network of automated technology designed to produce products with high efficiency in manufacturing processes, while reducing lead times, materials, and manufacturing defects.

Will Zander, above far left, director of the new Advanced Manufacturing program, stood in the enormous high bay and pointed out the equipment to the Rotarians.

In the next 10 years, the region of southwest Washington and northwest Oregon anticipates a shortage of 1,755 advanced manufacturing technicians. Designed with input from industry partners, this high-bay, and the entire Advanced Manufacturing Center, is where students will gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities to step into an in-demand career and meet the growing industry need.

Soon, Clark College’s Advanced Manufacturing Center at Boschma Farms will be a hub of experiential learning that will train the workforce for tomorrow.

All seven Rotary clubs in Clark County were present:

• Rotary Club of Greater Clark County
• Rotary Club of Vancouver
• Rotary Club of Vancouver Sunrise
• Rotary Club of Battle Ground
• Rotary Club of Camas-Washougal
• Rotary Club of Lewis River
• Rotary Club of Three Creeks

Q & A with Amy Easton, president, the Rotary Club of Greater Clark County

It was Amy Easton’s idea to offer Rotarians a tour of the AMC.

Q: Why did you decide Rotarians should tour the AMC?

AE: Rotarians are deeply committed to supporting education, workforce development, and community engagement, so when I learned about the new Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC) at Clark College, I saw a great opportunity for all seven Clark County Rotary clubs to come together and experience this transformative project firsthand.

The AMC represents a major investment in technical education and job training, which aligns with Rotary’s mission to foster economic development and strengthen communities. I wanted our members to see how this facility will prepare students for in-demand careers, and how Rotary can continue to support initiatives that create lasting impact in our region.

Q: When did you reach out to the Foundation?

AE: I first connected with the Clark College Foundation last summer to explore the possibility of organizing a tour for Rotarians. From the start, the Foundation was enthusiastic about the idea, and we worked closely to coordinate an event that would give Rotarians an inside look at the facility before it officially opens to students. The collaboration was fantastic, and we’re so grateful to the Foundation for helping make this event happen.

Q: What do you think about the Advanced Manufacturing Center and Clark College having a presence in Ridgefield/North Clark County?

AE: The Advanced Manufacturing Center is a game-changer for Ridgefield and North Clark County. It not only expands Clark College’s reach but also creates new opportunities for students, local businesses, and the workforce in this growing region.

By providing hands-on training in advanced manufacturing and skilled trades, the AMC will help bridge the gap between education and industry, ensuring that students graduate with the skills needed to succeed in high-demand careers.

Having this state-of-the-art facility in Ridgefield means that local students and employers alike will benefit from a stronger, more connected pipeline of talent, boosting economic growth in North Clark County and beyond.

Learn more: https://www.clark.edu/about/visitors-guide/getting-to-clark/boschma/

Photos not credited: Clark College/Susan Parrish

PUB 161 was packed with the Clark College community—both present and past—as they gathered to share stories about former Clark President Bob Knight during a remembrance event on January 10.

Knight, who led Clark College as president from 2007 to 2019, passed away on December 14. He was 67.

Penguin Nation Remembers Bob Knight

Julie Taylor, who worked in the president’s office, experienced Knight’s sense of humor and practical jokes daily.

Taylor said, “Bob had a tradition of buying the loudest, most obnoxious penguin toys and lined them up on my counter. As he left for the day, he would activate every penguin toy on his way out, and said, ‘See you later, Julie.’” Taylor would be serenaded by a loud, obnoxious penguin chorus at the end of every day.

Mark Magdaleno, head baseball coach, said that in his 43 years as a professional baseball coach, Bob Knight understood the value of student athletes. He said, “Bob knew our athletes had a choice of what college to attend. He embraced our athletes in their choice to attend Clark.”

Magdeleno said Knight often attended Penguin baseball games, even after he retired. He added, “He cared about his student athletes. He cared about this school. God bless you. Let’s go, Penguins!”

Michelle Golder, event services manager, shared several stories about Bob’s fun-loving nature and the office pranks: “Bob lived every day to the fullest. He loved Clark and genuinely believed the work we did was making a difference in our community. He created the presidential coin to recognize Clark employees for going above and beyond.”

She added, “After I organized my first commencement, Bob found me in my cubicle to especially thank me for a job well done. Kindness came second nature to Bob. He was one of the most genuine people who cared about others.”

Kathrena Halsinger, Interim Dean of Social Sciences and Fine Arts, recalled that Knight greeted her whenever they saw each other walking on campus. He also frequently attended the annual release parties for The Phoenix and opened the event.

Rhianna Johnson, currently director of Guided Pathways and Partnerships, was the director of Clark’s educational programs at Larch Corrections Center in Yacolt when Knight was president.

Johnson said, “Bob was so supportive of the program. He always attended the graduation ceremonies. He also came to play basketball with Larch students. He really cared about helping incarcerated people reenter society successfully.” She added, “We used to have Clark faculty and staff softball games. Bob was, of course, the pitcher.”

Wilma Raines, a Clark alum and a longtime donor to Clark College students and athletics, was Knight’s workout buddy at O’Connell Sports Center. Raines said, “We hit the gym every morning at 6:30, and started with the elliptical.”

Ceci Ryan-Smith, who was a Clark College alumni board president and Clark College Foundation board member when Knight was hired, said the leadership went around and around about Knight not holding a Ph.D. in Education, which is a typical requirement for a community college president. But Ryan-Smith spoke up on Knight’s behalf: “He may not have a Ph.D. in education, but he had a Ph.D. in life. I believe ultimately, we all won because we got Bob.”

Sudha Fredrick, vice president of Information Technology Service, Steven Clark, biology professor, and Sylvia Thornburg, who was dean of Instructional Planning during Knight’s tenure, were among those who also shared their “Bob” stories.

Calen Ouellette, Chief Executive Officer at Clark College Foundation, served as emcee. He wrapped up the program by saying: “In closing, I encourage each of you to carry Bob’s example with you. Whether it’s through a kind word, a purposeful act of service, or a bold step toward a better future—honor his legacy by making a positive impact, just as he did. Thank you for joining us today to remember Bob Knight. His legacy will forever inspire the Penguin Nation.”

Learn more:

Read our December 20, 2024, story recapping Bob Knight’s legacy and milestones at Clark College.

Read The Columbian’s January 13, 2025, story recapping Bob Knight’s memorial service attended by hundreds at the Vancouver waterfront.

Photos: 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.

Two preschool girls, pictured above, stood on either side of a blue metal rain wheel and spun the wheel, which created a gentle rattle sound reminiscent of rain. The wheel is one of six pieces of musical playground equipment installed recently in a new sound garden nature space within Clark College’s Child and Family Studies preschool.

Pointing to a whale drum near the back fence, Paul Caggianese, a CFS teacher and program supervisor, explained that the drum had been the only musical equipment since it was installed about two decades ago.

“Adding to the whale drum has always been a dream,” said Caggianese, who stood in the preschool’s backyard watching a group of preschoolers play.

But a lack of funding deterred them.

Michele Volk, director of Child and Family Studies, added, “Every year I meet with the Clark College Foundation to look at our wish list—and they make our wishes and dreams happen.”

Last year, Volk spoke to the foundation about funding for additional outdoor musical equipment, and they worked to make that longtime dream a reality. Now the whale drum is part of a new sound garden, including these additions:

• A blue rain wheel that emits a rattling sound much like rain
• A xylophone with aluminum keys and two mallets so that children can create a variety of notes
• A set of four vibrant chime flowers, each with an attached mallet. Each flower emits four sustained notes to produce enchanting, sustained gong sounds ranging from alto to soprano.

Generous donors

“The sound garden was a project CFS had wanted to develop for years, but lacked the resources to make it happen,” explained Kathy Chennault, Director of Development, Corporate & Foundation Relations at Clark College Foundation. “The foundation’s

connection with the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation provided the impetus to seriously explore this opportunity.”

The Ella Fitzgerald Foundation provided $5,000 in seed money. Donors via the Clark College Foundation provided the required $5,000 match. With two generous gifts, the initiative moved from concept to reality.

“We felt this was an important project to support as music can have such a profound impact on a young child’s life,” said Randal Rosman, Vice President of Programs at the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation. “Music can help children develop physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively as well as with language development. Music is a way to bring people together, share experiences, and learn about diverse cultures. We hope that this sound garden and the associated programming help to create a sense of community with the kids and adults who interact with it.”

Benefits of music education

As Volk and Caggianese watched a group of preschoolers enthusiastically making music with the new equipment, they spoke about the benefits of introducing music in early childhood education, including preschoolers playing in a sound garden.

Caggianese said, “The impacts that music has on your ability to do math, look at language and literacy, just all those influences. And then on top of it, (it’s) another method for children to decompress.”

Volk nodded, “The developmental part of it is a real key to impacting them for lifelong love, joy, and a sense of wonder in music.”

Caggianese added, “Music is a bridge between cultures and languages.”

“Music develops the whole child in ways that people don’t always think about,” Volk said.

All around them, busy preschoolers played in their new sound garden. The team at CFS hopes to add more percussion equipment to the sound garden next.

Clark College supporters stepped up to the plate and hit a homerun during this year’s PenguinsGive, Clark College Foundation’s annual 24-hour fundraising event on April 25. The Foundation raised a total of $66,124 for Clark College during PenguinsGive this year.

This year PenguinsGive coincided with the Sakura Festival and Take your Child to Work Day at Clark College. There is no better time to be a Penguin than when campus is busy with activities and celebrations. On that note, there is a lot to celebrate about PenguinsGive this year including:

• $66,124 raised for Clark College
• 254 digital gifts
• Largest single gift: $8,000 to Surveying and Geomatics

Top 5 funds by number of donors:

1. Men’s soccer
2. Clark College Student Success Fund
3. Women’s softball
4. Student Scholarships
5. Working Parent Scholarship

Umpqua Bank provided two challenges, the 10 a.m. coffee break challenge and the 5 p.m. happy hour challenge. The first department or program to get 10 gifts received an extra $250. Congratulations to the winners of these challenges:

• A new scholarship for Clark students who are working parents
• The Penguin Softball team

The 2024 PenguinsGive campaign would not have been as successful without the support of so many of you. A huge thank you to those who gave!

Make a Donation

Even though the Foundation’s 2024 PenguinsGive campaign has ended, you can still donate to support your favorite Clark College program or project here.

Join the Clark College Foundation for PenguinsGive, our exhilarating 24-hour annual fundraising event on Thursday, April 25—which happens to be World Penguin Day!

This year promises to be our biggest and best yet, with over $50,000 in matching funds ready to double your donations. Whether you give to the Student Success Fund, the Innovation Fund, or any other area, your support will make twice the impact.

PenguinsGive Fun

Get into the PenguinsGive spirit! If you’re attending the Sakura Festival or bringing your child to work that day, don’t miss the fun at Andersen Fountain.

• Stop by our tent’s digital photo booth from 1:30-3:30 p.m. to snap some memorable selfies with Oswald.
• While you’re there, seize the opportunity to double your impact by donating to a cause close to your heart. Visit our Foundation table to chat with the O Squad and discover how your contributions during PenguinsGive directly enhance student success at Clark College.

Donation Matching

During PenguinsGive, gifts of any amount will be matched dollar for dollar. For example, a $50 donation turns into $100 for scholarships, $90 becomes $180 for STEM, and $150 transforms into $300 for the Music program, all thanks to our generous donors.

Donate Online Don’t miss out!

Support the Penguin Nation by visiting Clark College PenguinsGive and double your gift!

Seated at tables around Cannell Library, pairs of people were deep in conversation. At each table, one person was a Clark student. The other was an alum or community member working in the student’s prospective career.

More than 50 Clark students met face-to-face with alumni mentors and other professionals to find out more about their prospective careers during Clark College Foundation’s Check Out a Professional event on February 27. The event is designed to connect alumni and business partners with students for one-hour career conversations in Cannell Library.

The event’s organizer, Chandra Chase, associate vice president of Alumni Relations & Community Engagement at Clark College Foundation, said, “Our alumni and business partners look forward to this opportunity to connect with students. Often, they received critical career mentorship through family, friends, faculty, or internships and want to pay it forward.”

The Foundation reached out to alumni and other local professionals with this message: “This event is designed for you to have a one-on-one career conversation with students, aligned with your area of expertise. What will you talk about? Take yourself back to your student days. What career information should you have known?”

Seated with a digital media arts student, Alan Hwang (pictured right), chief executive officer at Riff Agency, recognized the value of networking and volunteered for the event. Hwang earned an associate degree in business at Clark in 2013.

“When I was starting in my career, the most impactful brain gain I had was through 50+ cold emails to community leaders in a hope to gain some insight into what it takes to be successful over coffee,” said Hwang. “I’m a huge believer in hands-on, real-world learning. The Check Out a Pro event is a streamlined process for Clark College students to get that same impactful experience I had and gain some insight into the real world as they consider entering the workforce. This is extremely valuable experience and why I personally dedicate time—and will continue to dedicate the time—to this event.”

Connections made

• Sheila Davis of Fourth Plain Forward met with a student who is interested in working for a nonprofit organization.
• Katie Devlin, an attorney with the Washington State Attorney General, met with a political science student.
• Eric Olmsted, president of OnLine Support and member of the college’s Cybersecurity / IT advisory committee met with a cybersecurity student.
• Mike Pyszka, a civil engineer with Parametrix who is working on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, connected with a civil engineering student.
• Manuel Galaviz from PeaceHealth Medical Center used his laptop to show a healthcare website to a Health Information Management student.
• Jasmine Tolbert of YWCA Clark County met with a student about a career in counseling. The student’s young son sat quietly wearing headphones and watching a cartoon on a tablet.
• PeaceHealth nurse Sofia Cartagena and retired Kaiser Permanente physician Dr. Rebecca Hoffman met with nursing students.

A first-year psychology student sat at a table with Michelle Bart, president and founder of NWCAVE (National Women’s Coalition Against Violence and Exploitation). The student’s professor had suggested she earn her advocate certification. Not only did Bart tell the student about a 40-hour advocate training her organization was hosting in Vancouver the next week, but she offered her a scholarship to participate at no charge. It was exactly the certification the student needed.

Connection made. Opportunity gained.

Throughout the library, alumni and other professionals connected with students in similar meaningful conversations.

“Libraries are about connecting folks with the information they need, in whatever format that might be,” said Julie Austad, dean of Clark Libraries and Academic Success Services. “Sometimes it’s a book or an article. At this event, it was people. It was alumni. It was folks in the community who could relate to our students and talk about their experience getting into their chosen career.”

Check Out a Professional has been an annual event, but Chandra Chase from the Foundation said, “In 2025, we’re hoping to expand to two times per year.”

Check Out a Professional quick stats:

• Attendance: 55 students (more than double last year’s event)
• 55% first-generation college students
• Largest increase in student participation: Health care and STEM areas of study

Participating students are pursuing careers from accounting to computer science to mechanical engineering to web development and more.

Alumni and business participants included representatives from Bloom Collective, Clark Public Utilities, Dynamic Events, Edge Networks, Fourth Plain Forward, Kaiser Permanente, Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center, LiveChannel, Mountain Crest Counseling Services, National Women’s Coalition Against Violence and Exploitation (NWCAVE), OnLine Support, Opsahl Dawson, PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, Riff Creative, Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, TSMC (also known as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), The Vancouver Clinic, Washington State Office of the Attorney General, Webfor, Workforce Southwest Washington, YWCA Clark County, and ZP Productions.

Careers represented included animator, attorney, counselor, dental hygienist, engineer, filmmaker, health information management, human resources/recruiting, information technology, marketing, nonprofit management, nurse, therapist, physical therapist, physician, systems analyst, and more. Learn more about the Foundation’s Check Out a Professional event.

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish

Clark College students, staff, and supporters gathered with Clark College Foundation on Oct. 13 at the Hilton in downtown Vancouver for a reception to recognize scholarship recipients and generous donors. During fall term, the Foundation awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to Clark students.

In her welcome address, Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards said she has been energized to see so many students on campus and full parking lots during the first three weeks of fall term.

Calling attention to the Foundation, its donors and family and friends supporting Clark students, Dr. Edwards said, “We want to thank you for your unwavering support of our students.”

Before the program started, Dr. Edwards had the opportunity to talk with many scholarship recipients.

She said, “The students were grateful and expressed their appreciation for the scholarship. What an upbeat and energetic environment—a perfect way to end a busy week.”

Current student and scholarship recipient Amy Chitwood spoke from the podium about how a scholarship from the Foundation, combined with Clark’s reasonable tuition and fees and the caring faculty and staff have made it possible for her to work full-time while being a full-time student pursuing a career in human resources.

“I benefited from the foundation for their generous Rex and Arlene Garrison business scholarship, which helped me pay for college,” Chitwood said. “You see people from all walks of life attending Clark, and it’s thanks to its affordability and support of their students and community. None of my accomplishments would have been possible without the support of Clark College, my teachers, the administration, and the Foundation. The connections I have made here have shaped me. I look forward to completing my degree here and becoming an alumnus. Go penguins!”

Clark College Foundation CEO Calen Ouellette, said, “This vital work of awarding scholarships to students is the ‘why’ of everything we do at the Foundation. We are grateful to our donors for their support of Clark. We are excited to award these scholarships and look forward to hearing from students after they have graduated and are doing amazing work in our community.”

Two nursing students said scholarships awarded by the Foundation have made an enormous difference in their ability to succeed in the challenging program.

Hillary Sadlowski, now in her sixth term in the nursing program, will graduate in December. During the height of the pandemic, Sadlowski was working full time as a certified nursing assistant at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center while also enrolled in Clark’s nursing program full time. She didn’t know about scholarships and grants. A counselor in the nursing program told Sadlowski that she would not be able to continue at the pace she was going. The nursing counselor encouraged her to apply for scholarships and grants.

“It was life-changing for me,” Sadlowski said. “If it were not for scholarships and grants, there’s no way I could have continued in school.”

Alejandra Valencia is in her first term of Clark’s nursing program. While she was taking prerequisites at Clark, she was working full time as a certified nursing assistant and going to school full time. She also was pregnant.

Now in addition to starting the nursing program, she is the mother of a busy toddler. Thanks to a scholarship awarded by the Foundation and a supportive husband to help at home, she does not have to add a job to her full schedule.

“I don’t think I could handle working, going to school and being the parent of 3-year-old,” Valencia said. “Thanks to the Foundation, I don’t have to be stretched that far.”

See more photos from the event on our Flickr Page.

Submitted by Clark College Foundation 

PenguinsGive, Clark College’s 24-hour fundraising event, is Thursday, April 20. In celebration of Clark College celebrating its 90^th anniversary this year, all Clark College and Clark College Foundation employees and retirees are challenged to “Give $90.” Join the members of the O Squad, your employee giving committee and give $90 to support Clark students. 

PenguinsGive at Sakura Festival 

If you’re attending the Sakura Festival on Thursday, on your way from the cherry trees to Gaiser Hall, get a FREE coffee or smoothie at the IQ Credit Union cart from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and make your donation. 

At the Foundation’s table, members of the O Squad will visit with faculty and staff about contributing during PenguinsGive and students can write thank-you notes to donors. 

The annual Sakura Festival returns to the Clark College main campus on Thursday, April 20 beginning at 1 p.m. The free community event underneath a canopy of cherry blossoms is presented by Clark College, the city of Vancouver and Vancouver Rotary. 

$15k Available for Matching Gifts 

Join colleagues in supporting Penguin Nation. Thanks to generous donors, gifts of any amount will be matched dollar-for-dollar. More than $15,000 is available to double donations. For example, a $50 gift to student scholarships becomes $100; a $90 donation to STEM programs becomes $180; $150 to the Music program becomes $300, thanks to some generous donors. 

Visit www.clarkcollegefoundation.org/penguinsgive 

Judy Starr, director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Clark College Foundation, center, receives a check from David Reiter, senior vice president and private client manager for Bank of America, and Jessica Hewitt, vice president of Enterprise Business & Community Engagement for Bank of America.

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation recently awarded Clark College a $20,000 grant to support a full-time financial literacy coach at Clark College. The coach works directly with students to help them stabilize their finances and increase the likelihood of students meeting their economic, educational, and career goals.

The grant, delivered to Clark College Foundation, provides ongoing support within Clark College’s Career Services department for students. Assuring that a full-time financial coach remains on staff allows the college to continue providing workshops, classroom presentations, and individual sessions focusing on how to budget, balance a checkbook, set long-term financial goals, and understand credit cards, credit scores and loan repayments.

“The full-time coach has been highly valuable for our students,” said Lisa Gibert, president and CEO of Clark College Foundation. “The coach assisted 64 students in one-on-one sessions over a seven-month period, held 27 different budgeting workshops for scores of other students and conducted specialty workshops for the Veterans Resource Center and the Pathways Center.”

Jamie Madison was one of those students. She was ready to graduate from Clark’s nursing program in 2015 when unforeseen circumstances led her to withdraw. When she was contemplating a return, she was unsure if she had the resources to do so. She met with Clark’s financial literacy coach, Craig Ebersole, who helped her outline her personal finances and discover ways to limit her spending and create a budget.

“I am now confident with my finances and proactively use the resources I have learned about,” said Madison, who returned to Clark to finish her degree. “These resources help me through college and prepare me for my career after graduation.”

Approximately 54 percent of Clark students come from families living below the poverty level, and 60 percent are unemployed or receive public assistance. Moreover, nearly three-quarters of Clark students are the first generation in their families to attend college.

“Bank of America understands that financial fluency and empowerment are key drivers for future financial mobility and success,” said David K. Reiter, senior vice president at U.S. Trust Bank of America Private Wealth Management in Vancouver. “That is why we are proud to support Clark College Foundation on this important decision to retain a financial coach. When individuals feel financially secure and are able to achieve their financial goals, communities are made stronger and we all benefit.”

A budgeting course delivered by the financial literacy coach was added to the College 101: College Essentials course last year. All students working toward an Associate of Arts degree are required to complete the course, which introduces students to campus resources, such as campus navigation, technology, tutoring support, and financial aid.

Text and photo provided by the Clark College Foundation.