Sen. Al Bauer receives a presidential coin from President Knight at the 2018 State of the College Address.

Clark College President Bob Knight presented Presidential Coins to two Clark College employees and one Clark College alumnus during his 2018 State of the College address on January 18. They were:

Rachele Bakic

Rachele Bakic

Rachele Bakic began at Clark in 2012 as the program manager for the Health e-Workforce Consortium Grant. She accepted the position of Interim Director of Academic Services in September 2014. In 2015, she was named the Associate Dean of Instructional Operations, a role that involves overseeing many aspects of the college’s curriculum and programs. Knight said Bakic played “an integral role” on the college’s Curriculum Committee, Instructional Planning Team, and the Outcomes Assessment Committee, all of which help realize the college’s academic strategy and ensure that classes meet the needs of students. He also noted her work on the Academic Calendar Committee and other groups around campus.

Armetta Burney

Armetta Burney

Armetta Burney has served as Director of Workforce Education Services (previously called Eligibility Services) at Clark College for five years. In that role, she has led the expansion of several programs serving students. The Basic Food, Employment, and Training Program (which provides federal funding for students facing barriers to education) served fewer than 20 students per quarter when Burney began her career at Clark; now it serves more than 300. Similarly, she expanded the Passport to College program, which provides incentives to students for reaching specific academic milestones. She oversaw changes to the way the Opportunity Grant was administered, which led to student retention rising from 76 percent to 84 percent. And she launched an Emergency Grant program for students in crisis.

“She is committed to ensuring that she and her staff meet students where they are, and providing students with the support they need to be successful,” Knight said.

Sen. Al Bauer

While former Washington State Senator Al Bauer is not a Clark College employee, he has a long and personal connection to the college, beginning when he first began taking classes here in 1948 after being laid off from a cannery job. Bauer has said that he expected Clark to refuse to admit him, and that the college’s wholehearted welcome helped him to believe in his own capabilities. Bauer left Clark to join the Navy, but returned after his service to continue his education. He eventually earned a master’s degree in education and taught in area schools for more than 20 years. His political career included nine years as a Washington State Representative and two decades as a state senator, during which time he earned the moniker of “the education senator.” A staunch advocate for the institution that gave him his start in higher education, Bauer’s significance to the college was made clear in 1988 when a building on the main campus was dedicated to him.

“Thank you for being who you are, being the leader that you are, and for caring about students as the education senator,” said President Knight in presenting the coin to Sen. Bauer.

President Knight introduced a Presidential Coins at Clark College in 2007. They are given to faculty and staff members who provide exemplary service to Clark students, the college, and the community. In 2016, President Knight expanded the coins’ recipients to include exemplary supporters of the college. The honorees are decided by the president and are kept secret until the names are announced–generally on Opening Day in the fall or during the annual State of the College address in January.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Backpacks collected during the 2017 Backpack Project.

Earlier this year, Clark College employees donated 91 backpacks filled with school supplies to the children of Clark students–a new record for what has become known as the Backpack Project.

Approximately one quarter of Clark’s students have dependent children, and back-to-school supplies can easily run to more than $100 per child. Recipients for the backpacks are identified each year by staff in Clark College departments like Workforce Education Services, Financial Aid, Veterans Affairs, Transitional Studies, Child and Family Studies, and the Office of Diversity and Equity.

As one family wrote, “Thank you, thank you, thank you! This is absolutely amazing and I am so taken with your generosity and thoughtfulness. Our family is so grateful to you!”

This was the 14th year that employees have participated in the Backpack Project. We want to acknowledge and thank all of you who have helped to provide more than 822 backpack over the years.

Each backpack is unique because the project’s organizers ask the children what their favorite colors and characters are. Many donors go out of their way to find the perfect backpack for a child, scouring stores or the Internet for the perfect Seahawks or My Little Pony theme. Others load the backpack with extra supplies and fun items. This year, one Clark employee created a book about her own horses for a young child who liked horses.

More than 70 employees donated backpacks to the project this year, for a variety of reasons. Some do not have children at home but want to participate in the excitement of back-to-school time, while others are parents who are working to instill the value of giving in their own children. Many departments also make this a team project and take an after-work shopping trip together. Whatever their reasons, the Backpack Project brings as much joy to those who give as it does to those who receive the backpacks.

If you would like to participate in the Backpack Project next year, watch for a collegewide email sent in July; backpacks are generally due by mid-August so that children can receive them before the new school year starts.

This article was contributed by Planning & Effectiveness Administrative Assistant Cindy Heck and ctcLink Manager Susan Maxwell, who co-organize the Backpack Project each year. Photos contributed by Clark College Workforce Education Services and by student parents.

Stage Manager Mark Owsley steps out from behind the scenes to accept a service award at Opening Day.

Opening Day on Sept. 12 marked several celebrations of employee contributions to the college. Employees were recognized for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years of service to the college. Three employees–Facilities Services Maintenance Mechanic Daniel Simonson, Engineering professor Christina Barsotti, and Mathematics professor Tracy Nehnevaj–earned recognition for 25 years of service to the college, while Stage Manager Mark Owsley stepped out from behind the backdrop to accept a plaque for 30 years of service. And, in a surprise gesture, Board of Trustees chair Jada Rupley presented President Bob Knight with a Clark basketball jersey commemorating his 10th anniversary as college president.

President Knight holds a basketball jersey given to mark his 10th anniversary as college president.

“Currently the average tenure of a community college president is three and a half years,” noted Rupley. “We’re lucky to have someone who’s remained dedicated to our college for 10 years.”

Additionally, the recipients of the annual Exceptional Faculty Awards and quarterly Classified Staff Excellence Awards were recognized. The faculty awards are announced at Commencement and the quarterly Classified staff awards are announced each quarter. Additionally, two Classified Excellence Award nominees were announced to be recipients of the annual Exceptional Classified Staff Awards: Aleksandr Anisimov and Tia Schmidt.

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

Sean Janson

Sean Janson started at Clark as an assistant men’s soccer coach in 2007. He became head coach of the women’s soccer team in 2014, and has led the Penguins to be one of the most dominant forces in their league. In 2017, they won the Northwest Athletic Conference South Region Title for the first time in college history. Additionally, the team held a 2.94 cumulative GPA, and eight out of nine sophomores on the team signed letters of intent at four-year institutions.

Roberta Roche, who has worked at Clark for more than 40 years, accepts a Presidential Coin at the 2017 Opening Day employee recognition.

Roberta Roche

Roberta Roche first joined Clark in 1973 as a part-time Clerk-Typist. She has served in several positions and departments over her four decades at Clark; currently, she is a Program Specialist 2 in the Office of Financial Aid, where she serves as the central point of contact for outside agencies who provide funding for students. During the 2016-2017 year, she processed more than $1.2 million in outside agency funding. Knight remarked, “One outside agency representative recently commented that he has worked with numerous colleges, and the support and direction that she provided far outweighed any other help that he had received.”

Sherry Smith

Sherry Smith serves as the STEM Administrative Services Manager. She was commended for her role in moving departments into the new STEM Building with few problems. “She works quietly but she is very effective in supporting the STEM unit,” said Knight.

Toccara Stark

Toccara Stark has served as Director of Marketing at Clark since August 2015 and, Knight said, “It is hard to think of anyone who has had such a great effect in such a short amount of time.” Stark has led the college’s rebranding effort and has been instrumental in many college initiatives. She also works regularly with Clark College Foundation and community stakeholders on behalf of the college.

Kristy Taylor

Faculty member Kristy Taylor was recently named the director of Clark’s Dental Hygiene program after serving as interim director for two years. She oversaw the program’s recent and successful accreditation review. Taylor also serves on several college committees, including Academic Planning. Knight called her “a strong advocate for Clark students.”

To see more photos from Opening Day, visit the college’s Flickr album.

Read more about Opening Day on our news site.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

The Clark College Wellness Team includes, left to right, Steve DaMassa; Vanessa Neal; Guisela Eberle; Tahnya Huneidi; Veronica Brock;
Darci Feider. Not pictured: Rebecca Benson and Julie Taylor.

Join your Clark College Wellness Team in celebrating SmartHealth Week, an annual celebration of health and wellness, June 5-11.

We will be waiting for you near the Chime Tower and will start walking promptly at the times listed below. Remember, you can join us on the college’s Penguin Pathway at any point during a walk (search for the blue shirts). Invite a fellow Penguin to walk with you!

As supplies last, there will be SmartHealth giveaways for those who join us.

Scroll down for next week’s activity schedule and remember, your wellness matters!

New to SmartHealth? See what it is about by watching the SmartHealth How-To video.

Walk Schedule

Note: All walks start at the Chime Tower.

Monday, June 5

• 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
• 2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Tuesday, June 6

• 12:15 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• 2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Wednesday, June 7

• 11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
• 4:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Thursday, June 8

• 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
• 2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Friday, June 9

• 12:00 p.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

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

About Francois Wevers

Francois Wevers

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

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

About Kelli Gizzi

Kelli Gizzi

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

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

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

About Clark College Economic and Community Development

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

Clark’s 30th Hood to Coast relay team looks fresh and ready for the challenge at the beginning of the race.

For the 30th straight year, a hardy team of Clark College Penguins banded together to run the annual Hood to Coast relay race, a grueling 199-mile course that starts at Timberline Lodge on the slopes of Mount Hood, goes through the Portland metropolitan area and over the Oregon Coast Range, and finishes on the beach of Seaside, Oregon.

The race traditionally occurs the Friday and Saturday of the weekend prior to Labor Day weekend. Slightly more than 1,000 twelve-person teams participate in the relay. Clark’s team is one of the longest-standing teams in the race’s 35-year history. Because Clark has fielded a team for more than 20 years, it has a lifetime guaranteed entry as long as it continues to field a team, thereby avoiding the highly competitive lottery entry system that other teams have to use.

Tired but triumphant, Clark’s 30th annual Hood to Coast team poses at the finish line.

“Temperatures in the mid-90s on Friday August 26th made the running difficult,” reports team co-captain and Vice President of Instruction Dr. Tim Cook. “Once the sun went down, the night runs down Highway 30 into the Coast Range were full of stars and perfect running weather. The team finished in Seaside about 5:00 p.m. after starting approximately 34 hours earlier on Mt. Hood. It was 199 hours of smelly vans, little sleep and lots of Penguin camaraderie!”

This year’s team included: Tim Cook, Instruction; Kushlani de Soyza, Women’s Studies faculty; Lizette Drennan, Financial Aid; Kael Godwin, Planning and Effectiveness; Haley Gordon, Event Services; Chris Jacob, Athletics; Darcy Kennedy, Chemistry faculty; Kim Marshel, Credentials; Joe Pitkin, English faculty; Paul Raines, Facilities Services; Jenny Walsh (volunteer); Vanessa Watkins, Enrollment Services. The team is supported by generous donations made through the Clark College Foundation.

More HTC history: The 2005 team poses at the end of the Hood to Coast relay race.

For Clark history buffs, here’s the lineup for the original 1987 HTC team, which comprised mostly science faculty, as well as then-Athletic Director Roger Daniels: Dave Allen; Dean and Berna Deanne Blackburn; Wayne and Susan Colony; Roger Daniels; Mike Greenwood; Bob MacKay; John Martin; and Mike and Carol Pick. At the time, the race finished in Pacific City, had 11 runners, and just 186 teams.

Interested in joining the 2017 team? These persevering Penguins are looking for at least one more runner, as well as volunteers to help with driving and supporting the team. Find out more at this year’s kickoff meeting on Thursday, September 29 at 2 p.m. in JSH 127.

For the 13th year in a row, Clark College employees donated backpacks and supplies to 52 school-aged children of Clark College students.

Names of children are gathered and referred by Workforce Education Services, Financial Aid, Veterans Affairs, Child & Family Services, and the Diversity Center. Each child is asked their favorite color and characters so the donors can find a backpack that is specific to that child.

This year, the Backpack Project provided 55 backpacks, adding to the grand total so far of over 730 backpacks collected throughout the years – thank you!

Here are some expressions of thanks from students and their children after receiving their backpack:

“Just wanted to say THANK YOU!!!! for all you have done for me through my college life, along with helping me with school supplies and a backpack for my son for the last two years also. It helped us out so very much, I am off to my new educated life. Thank You All, You Will Be Missed.”

“Thank you for the backpacks. I loooooove them I can’t wait to go back to school.”

“Thank you for your kindness and for the school supplies. I hope that everyone that goes to school in Clark College does really good.”

This article was contributed by Cindy Heck

Photos: Clark College/Cindy Heck

Roslyn Leon Guerrero

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This article adapted from the Washington State University news site.

Did you attend a wellness seminar? Participate in a wellness event?  What are your wellness interests?

The Healthy Penguin Nation team is asking for your feedback to these and other questions, which will help focus our planning efforts and ensure the wellness program is relevant to your needs and interests.

You can access the survey through May 20 by following this link: Healthy Penguin Nation Wellness Program Survey

Thanks for your participation!