Clark College lost a beloved member of their community on July 9, when early childhood education professor Lora Whitfield passed away.

“She was kind, warm, and supportive of those around her,” said Vice President of Instruction Sachi Horback.

Whitfield’s connection to Clark went back to her own days as a student, when she attended the college to earn her associate degree in early childhood education in 2002. Whitfield went on to have a successful career in the field, working for both the Southwest Washington Child Care Consortium and Albina Early Head Start. She earned her master’s degree in human development with a specialization in early childhood education and bicultural development from Pacific Oaks College in Seattle.

In 2014, Whitfield returned to Clark College to teach. She received tenure in 2017. At the time, she offered this statement on her teaching philosophy: “As an educator, I am committed to treating each individual with respect. I believe respect is paramount in creating environments that promote students’ ideas, passions, and interest in a meaningful and organically wholesome way. I strive to provide settings where everyone can share their ideas without bias and be included in all aspects of learning.”

Whitfield, who identified as Afro-Caribbean, was the second Black woman to receive tenure at Clark College. She actively worked to create networks of support for colleagues and students of color, participating in both the statewide Cross-Institution Faculty of Color Mentorship Program and Clark’s Black Employees United Employee Resource Group. “She was an absolute joy to be around,” recalled Interim Associate Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Rashida Willard. “She had a hilarious sense of humor and always made her work family laugh.”

In addition to her work fostering inclusion, she was an active leader in her field, participating in the Clark College Early Childhood Advisory Council, the Early Childhood Teacher Preparation Council, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

On his last day as president of Clark College before his retirement, Bob Knight recalled his memories of Whitfield. “Because Lora began as a student at Clark College, she could relate very closely to the student experience,” he wrote in a July 15 email to all college employees. “This made her a gifted instructor. She made Clark College a better place.”

Services for Professor Whitfield have been scheduled for Saturday, July 20, with a viewing between 9:30 am an 10:00 am. The service will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The location will be at City Harvest Church at 8100 NW 9th Street, Vancouver, WA 98665. Funeral information will be on the Terry Family Funeral Home website.

Twelve outstanding educators are the newest members of the
tenured faculty at Clark College. Dr. Amy Castellano (phlebotomy), Dr. Cara
Cocchiarella (physical health and education), Dr. Catherine “CeCe” Crosby (biology),
Dr. Jacob Funk (music), Hannah Jackson (mathematics), Julie Lemmond (business),
Dr. Xiunu “Sophie” Lin (physics), Meredith Lynch (Transitional Studies
English), Dr. Sam May-Varas (Transitional Studies English and mathematics),
Donivee Randall-Jones (nursing), Michelle Roth (English as a Second Language),
and Dr. Michelle Stoklosa (geology) were all granted tenure during the Clark
College Board of Trustees meeting on March 13. They will be honored at a
college reception on April 22.

Tenure is awarded by the college’s Board of Trustees based on
professional excellence and outstanding abilities in their disciplines. The
granting of tenure is based on the recommendations of tenure review committees
to the vice president of instruction, which are then forwarded to the
president, who presents a final recommendation to the Board of Trustees.
Recommendations are based on self-evaluations, tenure review committee
evaluations, student evaluations, supervisory evaluations, and peer
evaluations. The final decision to award or withhold tenure rests with the
Board of Trustees.

About the faculty members

Dr. Amy Castellano

Dr. Amy Castellano holds a Bachelor of Science in physiological sciences from the University of Arizona and a doctorate in naturopathic medicine from the National University of Natural Medicine. In additional to her teaching and research work at both her alma maters, she has previous work experience at Tucson Medical Center, Banner Medical Center, Oregon Health and Science University Hospital, and as a naturopathic physician at multiple clinics.

At Clark College, Dr. Castellano serves as department head of
the phlebotomy program, and is a member of the program’s Advisory Committee,
the Healthy Penguin Walkabout Committee, and a task force to define the
college’s core healthcare curriculum.

“My teaching philosophy hinges on the belief that the
learning environment provides the foundation for growth, has the ability to
empower or demotivate students, and that a culture of positivity, respect, and
community should be created,” she said. “My goal is to cultivate a supportive
space for students to grow, allow their individual strengths to emerge, and
show a genuine interest in their success.”

Dr. Cara Cocchiarella

Dr. Cara Cocchiarella earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and health and human performance; her Master of Science in health and human performance; and her Doctorate of Education in educational leadership from the University of Montana. She has coaching and teaching experience in a wide range of educational institutions, including Lincoln High School, Peninsula Elementary, University of Montana, Gonzaga University, and University of Montana Western.

Dr. Cocchiarella has taught health and physical education at
Clark College since 2016. She currently serves as the lead instructor for the
college’s Fitness-Wellness course and is also a member of the college’s Queer
Employee Resource Group.

“As a teacher, I employ numerous active-learning modalities and
strive to make all lessons applicable to the lives of my students,” she said.
“The supportive community that we build in each of my classes is essential in
terms of maximizing engagement and individual growth of all students.”

Dr. Catherine “CeCe” Crosby

Dr. CeCe Crosby earned her bachelor’s degree in cellular and
molecular biology from Western Washington University and her master’s and
doctorate degrees in soil science from Washington State University. She has
previous teaching and research experience at Washington State University, Green
River College, and Tacoma Community College. She joined the faculty at Clark
College in 2016.

At Clark, Dr. Crosby serves as faculty liaison for the
college’s MESA program, which encourages underrepresented groups to participate
in STEM. She also serves on a pillar group for the college’s work to adopt the
Guided Pathways model of higher education and volunteers at the college’s
Science Olympiad competitions.

“My goal is to invite my students to see themselves as
scientists by developing their natural curiosity about the world and giving
them the skills to explore using the scientific method,” Dr. Crosby said. “I
focus on the skill development, learning from mistakes, and the practical
applications of knowledge to solve difficulty problems.”

Dr. Jacob Funk

Dr. Jacob Funk holds a Bachelor of Science in vocal
performance from John Brown University, a Master of Music in choral conducting
from the University of British Columbia, and Doctor of Musical Arts in
conducting from the University of Missouri Kansas City’s Conservatory of Music
and Dance. Before coming to Clark College in 2016, he had previous teaching
experience with Northwest Arkansas Community College, John Brown University,
and Berean Academy (a private K-12 school in Elbing, Kansas).

At Clark College, Dr. Funk serves as director of the vocal
music program, including the college’s Chorale and its Women’s Choral Ensemble.
He is also a faculty advisor for the music department.

“The choir rehearsal is what inspired me to want to be a
teacher and an artist, and I want to share and give that experience to others,”
he said. “My objective is that through their choral experience, my students
will learn about all aspects of music, learn about themselves, experience the
joy of creating something beautiful and meaningful together, and be better,
more educated people because of it.”

Hannah Jackson

Hannah Jackson hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics
from Willamette University and a Master of Science in mathematics from Syracuse
University. She has previous teaching experience at the University of Denver,
Arapahoe Community College, University of Colorado Boulder, and Front Range
Community College.

Currently Jackson coordinates Clark College’s college algebra
course and is part of the team piloting a new sequence of introductory-level
mathematics courses. She also serves on the college’s Math Activities
Committee.

“My teaching philosophy is that you cannot force a student to
learn,” Jackson said. “You must make them want to. I achieve this through high
levels of energy, enthusiasm, and a true love of my subject matter that comes
across clearly to my students, gets them excited about the course, and makes
them want to come to class and learn.”

Julie Lemmond

Julie Lemmond earned her Bachelor of Science degree in
business and management and her Master of Business Administration with a
concentration in finance from Marylhurst University. She began teaching at
Clark College in 2006 and has previous teaching experience at Marylhurst
University and Oregon State University.

At Clark, Lemmond serves as lead instructor for the college’s
accounting and finance courses; a Quality Matters reviewer; an accounting
tutor; and a faculty advisor in the college’s business program. Additionally,
she has led the accounting faculty through the process of adopting and
maintaining accounting resources and provides accounting resources to tutors to
help them support students.

“My objective is to help students become competitive in the
business world by developing logical and ethical business minds,” Lemmond said.
“I believe that anyone who wants to attend college should be able to attend
college.”

Dr. Xiunu “Sophie” Lin

Dr. Sophie Lin holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in
physics from Xiamen University in China and the University of Kentucky,
respectively. Prior to coming to Clark College in 2016, she taught at Eastern Kentucky
University and at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon.

At Clark, Dr. Lin serves on the college’s BUILD EXITO work
group, which provides research opportunities in STEM fields for Clark students.
She has also volunteered when the college has hosted a regional Science
Olympiad.

“As a science instructor, I believe in setting high and
specific goals for students at the beginning of a course and motivating them to
learn,” Dr. Lin said. “To engage students in active learning, I adopt various
kinds of research-based teaching approaches, including ‘peer instruction,’
in-class exercises, experiment demonstration, and backward course instruction.”

Meredith Lynch

Meredith Lynch earned her Associate of Applied Science degree
from Tacoma Community College and both her bachelor’s and master’s degree from
the University of Washington Tacoma. She served on the faculty of Pierce
College in Puyallup, Washington, for more than 10 years before coming to Clark
College in 2016.

At Clark, Lynch serves as vice-chair of the Environmental
Integrity Council and as Transitional Studies liaison to the English
Department. She also serves on the team responsible for redesigning the
college’s composition courses and co-requisites.

“I meet my students where they are and use collaborative,
student-centered, active-learning strategies to help them achieve their
educational goals,” Lynch said.

Dr. Sam May-Varas

Dr. Sam May-Varas earned his bachelor’s degree in economics
from the University of South Florida, his master’s in education from City
University, and his doctorate in educational leadership from Lewis & Clark
College in Portland, Oregon. He also holds a K-12 Administrator License through
the University of Oregon. May-Varas has 15 years of work experience in the K-12
system, both as a teacher and an administrator. He also has teaching experience
at Portland Community College and has taught at Clark College for four years.

Since coming to Clark, May-Varas has been active in numerous Transitional
Studies committees and works groups on topics that include academic standars,
identifying barriers to enrollment and student success, and recruitment. Additionally,
he serves on the Pillar 3 Work Group for the college’s work toward adopting the
Guided Pathways model of higher education and has helped develop curriculum for
the college’s High School 21-Plus and Welding I-BEST programs.

“In my position as
an educator, I believe in empowering students to engage actively in the
learning process,” he said. “This engagement offers individual students the
motivation to continue in education and ultimately reach their educational and
career goals.”

Donivee Randall-Jones

Donivee Randall-Jones earned her Bachelor of Science degree
in nursing from York College in Pennsylvania and her Master of Science in nursing
education from Walden University. She is in the process of completing her
doctorate in nursing practice and educational leadership from Walden.

A certified emergency nurse, Randall-Jones also holds
certificates in advanced cardiac life support, pediatric advanced life support,
and trauma nurse core courses. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, she has many years
of experience working in the emergency departments in Californian hospitals as
well as at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver. Before coming to
Clark College in 2016, she taught at Mt. San Jacinto Community College in
Menafee, California.

At Clark, Randall-Jones serves on her department’s
accreditation, curriculum, and sub-curriculum committees. She also has served
as a mentor to incoming teaching staff in her department.

“Nursing is a very broad profession in terms of knowledge
base and skill set,” Randall-Jones said. “There are many shades of gray when
the human body is involved, and my teaching approach fosters clinical reasoning
and judgment to help students make evidence-based decisions while in those gray
areas.”

Michelle Roth

Michelle Roth holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology
from Reed College in Portland, Oregon, and a Master of Arts in teaching English
to speakers of other languages from the University of Washington. She has
previous teaching experience at University of Washington, Portland Community College,
and Mount Hood Community College.

Since coming to Clark College as an adjunct instructor in
2000, Roth has been part of the college’s Transitional Studies department,
teaching in both its English as a Second Language and its Career and Academic
Preparation programs. She helped develop the curriculum for international
students in the college’s Intensive English Language Program, where she served
as department head. Currently, she serves as curriculum development lead for
three Transitional Studies courses and as a member of the Transitional Studies
Academic Standards Committee. Additionally, she is currently president of the
Washington Association for the Education of Speakers of Other Languages
(WAESOL), where she has served as a board member since 2015.

“Learning an additional language as an adult is an inherently
vulnerable act,” said Roth. “Therefore, my first task is to ensure that the
classroom is a place that supports my students’ bravery. Through real,
relevant, communicative activities, students gain the confidence and language
skills to achieve their career and academic goals.”

Dr. Michelle Stoklosa

Dr. Michelle Stoklosa earned her bachelor’s degree in biology
from Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania and both her master’s and
doctoral degrees in geology from the University of Wisconsin Madison. She has
previous teaching experience at Boise State University, Portland State
University, Marylhurst University, and Clackamas Community College. She
currently teaches in Clark College’s earth and environmental science
department.

At Clark, Stoklosa assisted in the development of the Natural
Sciences Course Alignment Rubric for the Associate of Arts degree, represented
adjunct faculty on College Council, and co-led a workshop at Faculty Focus on
Learning. She currently serves as a faculty advisor for the geology program.

“My goals for students are similar to those I have for myself
as a scientist: that we directly interact with the Earth, develop critical
thinking skills, and ultimately appreciate the Earth and the field of geology,”
she said.

About Clark College

Located in Vancouver’s Central Park and serving up to 12,000 students per quarter, Clark College is Southwest Washington’s largest public institution of higher education. The college currently offers classes at two satellite locations: one on the Washington State University Vancouver campus and one in the Columbia Tech Center in East Vancouver. Additionally, its Economic & Community Development program is housed in the Columbia Bank building in downtown Vancouver.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley. No photo available for Donivee Randall-Jones.

During the 2018 Commencement ceremony, President Robert K. Knight announced the names of the recipients of the 2018 Clark College Exceptional Faculty Awards. The awards are presented annually to full-time and part-time faculty members. Nominations can be submitted by Clark College students, faculty, classified employees, administrators, alumni, Board members, and Foundation directors.

The awards are made possible through an endowed trust fund established by the Washington State Legislature and the Clark College Exceptional Faculty Endowment Fund, which was established in 1993. That fund provides recognition of exemplary work performance, positive impact on students, professional commitment, and other contributions to the college.

This year’s Exceptional Faculty members are:

• Bruce Elgort, computer technology instructor
• Sara Gallow, English as a Second Language professor
• Richard Inouye, music professor
• Dr. Kanchan Mathur, mathematics professor
• Don Wissusik, addiction counselor education instructor

Bruce Elgort

If there is one word to describe computer technology instructor Bruce Elgort, it is probably “connected.” He stays connected to his students through email, social media, and online tools. “Never in the history of teaching has a professor been more available to his students,” raved one student in their nomination.

Elgort is also connected to local industry through his long career in tech, which includes high-level positions at major companies like Sharp and Underwriters Laboratories, as well as launching his own successful software company. And he creates connections in his community, regularly attending (and sometimes speaking at) conferences and inviting others to come with him. “I can’t count the number of events I’ve attended because Bruce posted something on Slack or Facebook—or gave me a digital nudge saying, ‘You should go to this!’” wrote another student.

Small wonder, then, that Elgort has gathered a significant fan base at Clark since beginning to teach here in 2012. Indeed, this is his second time winning an Exceptional Faculty Award at the college; the first time was in 2013. Elgort says that, since then, he’s become involved in numerous Clark committees and initiatives. In other words, he’s become more, well, connected to Clark—and clearly Clark is all the stronger for it.

Sara Gallow

When Sara Gallow began her teaching career, she imagined it would be a way to travel the globe. But one day, while teaching English in Japan, she read a newspaper article about a program in the U.S. teaching English to immigrants and refugees; instantly, she realized that was what she wanted to do. Within a year, she was living in Portland and teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) at area colleges, including Clark.

Clearly, it was the right fit: Gallow was hired full-time in 1999 and has been here ever since. Currently, she serves as chair of the Transitional Studies division and has been described as the division’s “consistency, vision, driving force, and backbone.” Under her leadership, Transitional Studies has redesigned all of its ESL and basic education courses, as well as developed a new program serving inmates in the Clark County Jail.

Throughout her career, however, Gallow’s first love remains teaching. “My students teach me strength, persistence, and humility,” she says. “I’ve had doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers, and musicians in my classes. I’ve had students who weren’t able to finish elementary school and others who have escaped war. All of them came to this country for a better life, and for one quarter they trusted me to teach them English and help them reach their goals—it’s truly an honor to be their teacher.”

Richard Inouye

It’s hard to imagine Clark College’s exemplary concert band and jazz ensemble without their fearless band leader, music professor Richard Inouye. Since 2007, Inouye, who is retiring this June, has not only led the band but also raised its musical reputation in order to recruit top notch student musicians to attend Clark. Additionally, he has directed Clark’s annual Jazz Festival, which has grown to attract more than 50 middle and high school bands from around the region.

Inouye has a long professional career in music, beginning with teaching band in Colorado public schools and followed by a 20-year career in the United States Air Force Academy Band as a saxophonist, music director, and band leader. He also served on the music performance faculty at The Colorado College for eight years before moving to Vancouver to begin teaching at Clark.

“Although Rich can come across as stern and direct, he’s also got a soft heart, often coaching and mentoring students on his own time and with his own resources,” wrote one nominator. “He believes in giving students second chances, within parameters designed to help them become successful.”

“He wants us all to be responsible, of course, but he will lend a hand whenever needed,” wrote one student. “He continues to push us to be the best we can be—in band and outside of band.”

Dr. Kanchan Mathur

“I enjoy everything about math,” says mathematics professor Dr. Kanchan Mathur. “The clarity of thought it brings, the seemingly unrelated quantities that come together in a beautiful formula, the numerous applications of it, the elegant proofs of theorems, the history behind some of the most important developments—and, well, numbers in general.”

Dr. Mathur is all too aware, however, that not all her students feel the same way. “Math should not be intimidating, but it is, sadly,” she says. A tenured professor at Clark since 2008, she helps students overcome their math hurdles by making herself available outside of the classroom for one-on-one help with tricky concepts—and with other challenges they face.

“In addition to her dedication to our students’ academic success, she also genuinely care about their well-being,” wrote one nominator, point out that Dr. Mathur stocks a variety of snacks in the Mathematics Department office for hungry students.

In addition to her teaching duties, Dr. Mathur has served as the Mathematics Department’s scheduler. She also works with local schools to hold several math competitions and to get young students excited about mathematics and higher education. And she’s teamed up with other math faculty on many of the department’s math-themed events, like its annual Pi Day celebration and its “Read a Math Book to your Child” campaign on Bring Your Child to Work Day.

Donald Wissusik

For almost two decades, Donald Wissusik has made the long commute to Vancouver from Newberg, Oregon, to teach evening classes to students in Clark’s Addiction Counselor Education (ACED) program. That he has done so on top of his full-time job as a clinical services manager in addiction medicine for Kaiser Permanente speaks to his dedication to teaching.

“The wisdom from his many years of experience, along with his gentle and kind demeanor, makes him very approachable and makes us students feel valued,” wrote one nominator. “Don has made a huge impact on me, and I will carry his words of wisdom with me into my professional career.”

Wissusik’s own career is coming to a close, as he is retiring from Clark this year. (He retired from Kaiser in 2016.) But his legacy will continue at Clark through his many years as a volunteer on the ACED’s advisory committee, which helps ensure the program’s outcomes match employers’ needs.

“I am very honored and amazed to receive this award,” Wissusik says. “I have tried to be guided by being mindful of how I wanted to be mentored when I started this career over 40 years ago.”

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On May 7, a reception was held in Gaiser Student Center to welcome the nine newest  members of the tenured faculty at Clark College. Glenna Afflerbaugh (dental hygiene), Patricia Atkinson (economics), Caron Ford (career and academic preparation), Rebecca Herman (dental hygiene), Yusufu Kamara (economics), Donald Ludwig (sociology), Laura Nagel (library), Robert Weston (mathematics), and Tess Yevka (psychology) were all granted tenure during the Clark College Board of Trustees meeting on March 14.

Tenure is awarded by the college’s Board of Trustees based on professional excellence and outstanding abilities in their disciplines. The granting of tenure is based on the recommendations of tenure review committees to the vice president of instruction, which are then forwarded to the president, who presents a final recommendation to the Board of Trustees. Recommendations are based on self-evaluations, tenure review committee evaluations, student evaluations, supervisory evaluations, and peer evaluations. The final decision to award or withhold tenure rests with the Board of Trustees.

About the faculty members

Glenna Afflerbaugh

Glenna Afflerbaugh graduated from Clark College’s dental hygiene program with an associate degree. She received a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree from Eastern Washington University and a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. She has worked as a dental hygienist in private practice and began teaching at Clark in 1994. She has served as senior lead clinical instructor in Clark’s dental hygiene program since 2015.

At Clark, Afflerbaugh coordinates mock board exams for senior dental hygiene students; she also mentors and advises students as they move through the dental hygiene program. She also serves on the Dental Hygiene Advisory Committee.

“My teaching approach is to lead with integrity, and provide a learner-centered environment in which trusting, supportive, and synergistic relationships allow individuals to grow, become empowered, and accomplish their goals,” said Afflerbaugh.

Patricia Atkinson

Patricia Atkinson earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in economics from Marist College and Portland State University, respectively. She has taught at Clark College since 2008, and has previous teaching experience at Portland State University and other community colleges in the Portland-Vancouver metro region.

At Clark, Atkinson serves as Lead Economics instructor and sits on the Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Business task force. She co-hosts weekly brown-bag lunches where students are invited to discuss different economic topics, and also serves as advisor to the college’s Chess Club.

“As an economics instructor, I try to create community in the classroom and connect economics to students’ everyday life,” Atkison said of her teaching philosophy.

Caron Ford

Caron Ford received her bachelor’s degree in English Literature from San Francisco State University. She earned her English Teaching Credential and Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from California State University Bakersfield. She has previous teaching experience at South High School in Bakersfield, California, and has worked at Clark College since 2009.

At Clark, Ford serves as I-BEST Lead Teacher for the Department of Career and Academic Preparation (CAP), as the curriculum developer for CAP English, and as the Transitional Studies CAP representative in the college’s work to adopt a Guided Pathways model of higher education.

“I approach teaching from a learning perspective, and I approach curriculum from a student perspective,” said Ford. “I want my students to see themselves in what they read and what they write so they can effectively engage in, challenge, and change the world.”

Rebecca Herman

Rebecca Herman graduated from Clark College’s dental hygiene program with an associate degree. She completed a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Communication, as well as a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction, at Concordia University.

Herman has previous work experience as a clinical dental hygienist for many years. She has also taught at Mt. Hood Community College. She began teaching at Clark College as an adjunct instructor in 1994. At Clark, Herman advises and mentors students as well as new faculty. She serves on the Dental Hygiene Advisory Committee and regularly contributes to work and initiatives within her department.

“My approach to teaching is to focus on student learning and retention,” said Herman. “I also believe a learner-centered environment is best for the students to achieve outcomes.”

Dr. Yusufu Kamara

Dr. Yusufu Kamara earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics with honors from the University of Sierra Leone. After being awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, he earned his master’s and doctorate degrees in Economics from the University of Kansas. He has previous teaching experience at Avila University, Baker University, Neosho County Community College, and the University of Kansas (all of which are located in Kansas). He began teaching at Clark College in 2015.

Dr. Kamara sit on the International Education Committee at Clark college, and has helped to plan the college’s annual International Education Day. He also serves as a faculty advisor to the college’s Harambee Black Student Union.

“I always strive to create an interactive and inclusive class environment, providing the opportunity for students from all backgrounds to participate in collaborative problem solving, engage in constructive class discussions, and to relate the issues discussed to their communities and beyond,” said Dr. Kamara. “I focus on developing the critical thinking skills students need understand and apply the basic principles we cover in class.”

Dr. Don Ludwig

Dr. Don Ludwig earned his associate degree from Spokane Community College and his bachelor’s degree from Whitworth University. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers University. He holds doctorate degrees from both the New York-based International University for Graduate Studies and from Portland State University.

At Clark, Dr. Ludwig has served as the Faculty Assessment Liaison and Sociology Department Lead; a Guided Pathways faculty liaison; and the Clark Representative to The Democracy Commitment, a non-partisan national program to promote civics at community colleges. He has participated in both the I-BEST and Learning Communities and the Integrative Faculty Learning Community. He also served as a faculty panelist during a 2015 discussion on economic inequality.

“Teaching and learning should be committed to social justice and equity in all things and all ways,” said Dr. Ludwig. “The best question you can ask my students on any day is, ‘What are you learning today, why is that important, and what are you doing about it?’”

Laura Nagel

Laura Nagel earned her Bachelor of Arts degrees in Sociology and Art History from Pacific Lutheran University. She earned her Master of Arts in Library and Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin Madison. Before coming to Clark, she worked as a librarian at Linn-Benton Community College.

Since coming to Clark in 2015, she has served on the Library Leadership Team, as the Collection Development Lead, and as the Business and Health Sciences Liaison. She also served as project director for the college’s 2016 hosting of a traveling exhibit called “Native Voices: Native Peoples’ Concepts of Heath and Illness.”

In discussing her philosophy toward education, Nagel quoted the librarian James Elmborg, saying, “I tell students that it is my job to work with them to find, evaluate, and use information to ‘ask and answer questions that matter to them and to the world around them.’”

Robert Weston

Robert Weston earned his bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Oregon State University and his master’s degree in Mathematics from The City College of New York. His work history includes teaching mathematics at numerous institutions in both New York City and Portland for 10 years, working as an instructional designer for an online college, and serving as a consultant on education projects through his own small business.

At Clark, Weston serves on the Guided Pathways Steering Committee and is developing a co-requisite remediation version of MATH 105.

“Student understanding of mathematics is developed by well-designed experiences that challenge students in a supportive environment,” said Weston in describing his teaching philosophy. “In order to meet these challenges students should be supported in developing effective study habits, organization skills, and healthy attitudes towards learning.”

Tess Yevka

Tess Yevka earned her bachelor’s degree from Marylhurst University and her master’s degree in Counseling from Portland State University. Her previous teaching experience includes Carrington College, Marylhurst University, and Mt. Hood Community College. She has additional work experience as a counselor in private practice and as a community educator working in child-abuse prevention.

At Clark, Yevka serves as a member of the Teaching and Learning Advisory Committee and the Faculty Development Subcommittee. She assists other faculty members in setting up and conducting online classes as well as in creating accessible teaching materials. Additionally, she is involved in the Vancouver community as a certified Long Term Care Ombudsman.

“My teaching philosophy is to make it real,” said Yevka. “By anchoring the content of a course in the context of daily life, students learn real-world application. Being able to see the relevance of material, and have the opportunity to apply it, increases interest and participation.”

 

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

 

 

 

 

Math professor Kate Cook was granted tenure during the Clark College Board of Trustees meeting on June 14.

Cook earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics and education at Principia College in Illinois and her master’s degree in mathematics at California State University, East Bay. She has previous teaching experience at Portland Community College and began teaching at Clark as an adjunct in 2008.

Cook’s involvement at Clark includes leading the Core to College Grant team, serving as the course coordinator for statistics courses in the Mathematics Department, and presenting mathematics worksheet ideas at local and national conferences.

“I try to meet the student at their level and encourage them forward to new confidence and ability in math,” said Cook, who lives in Vancouver. “I’ve found that a bit of humor helps make that rocky path more enjoyable.”

Tenure is awarded by the college’s Board of Trustees based on professional excellence and outstanding abilities in their disciplines. The granting of tenure is based on the recommendations of tenure review committees to the vice president of instruction, which are then forwarded to the president, who presents a final recommendation to the Board of Trustees. Recommendations are based on self-evaluations, tenure review committee evaluations, student evaluations, supervisory evaluations, and peer evaluations. The final decision to award or withhold tenure rests with the Board of Trustees.

During the 2017 Commencement ceremony, President Robert K. Knight announced the names of the recipients of the 2017 Clark College Exceptional Faculty Awards. The awards are presented annually to full-time and part-time faculty members. Nominations can be submitted by Clark College students, faculty, classified employees, administrators, alumni, Board members, and Foundation directors.

The awards are made possible through an endowed trust fund established by the Washington State Legislature and the Clark College Exceptional Faculty Endowment Fund, which was established in 1993. That fund provides recognition of exemplary work performance, positive impact on students, professional commitment, and other contributions to the college.

This year’s Exceptional Faculty members are:

• Patricia A. Atkinson, instructor of economics
• Dr. John Caruso, instructor of English
• Becky Engel, instructor of American Sign Language
• Dr. Nicholas Macias, instructor of computer science and engineering
• Brian McVay, professor of welding

Patricia A. Atkinson, Economics

When Patricia Atkinson was an undergraduate, she was an enthusiastic student—but not a focused one. “I loved all my studies, from history and geography to math and science,” she said.

It was only in her junior year of college, when she took her first economics course—a field that combined aspects of all those disciplines—that Atkinson found her true academic passion.

Today, Atkinson passes that passion on to her students. “She made me enjoy and understand a subject that I disliked and struggled with in the past,” wrote one nominator. “She always would go out of her way to make sure we understood the material by relating it to real-life experiences.”

Another student wrote, “She allowed me to understand and appreciate what college can be. … Professor Atkinson showed me that college is about learning, engaging, participating, and enhancing your personal capital.”

Atkinson, who has taught at Clark since 2009, is currently a tenure-track instructor at the college. She has also taught at Portland Community College, University of Phoenix, and Portland State University, where she earned her master’s degree in economics. She is currently completing her doctorate degree in education leadership at Washington State University Vancouver.

Dr. John Caruso, English

Most kids’ first jobs are something along the lines of babysitting or mowing lawns—John Caruso’s, which he began at age 13, was writing book reviews for the local newspaper. So it’s not all that surprising that he grew up to be an English professor.

“I love learning, and I love helping my students learn,” Caruso said. “When you have an active, alert mind, talking about ideas and language is like playing your favorite sport. I feel blessed to spend my days doing something that I enjoy, and doubly blessed that what I enjoy also improves the lives of my students.”

Students clearly count Caruso as a blessing, too. “John makes everyone want to engage in class activities and discussions,” wrote one nominator. “Even the more shy kids are raising their hands. We all felt safe and valued in his class.”

Caruso said that his own experience as a first-generation college student helps him create a welcoming environment for the diverse student body he teaches at Clark. (He also teaches at Marylhurst University.) He earned his bachelor’s degree at UCLA; his master’s, at California State University Chico; and his doctorate in English at the University of Washington. He has taught English for two decades, and at Clark for the past six years. A frequently published writer of short fiction, Caruso is expecting his first full-length novel, The Lawn Job, to be published by Cloud Lodge Books later this year.

Becky Engel, American Sign Language

When students describe Rebecca Engel, they mention her supportiveness, her individual attention, and her flexibility in presenting material in a range of teaching styles.

“I see myself as a chameleon of sorts, always adapting to the different needs and learning styles the students present,” Engel said. “I picked up this skill in my first teaching job in the K-12 system. I had deaf students of all levels, so I was constantly adapting to meet their needs and learning styles.”

Students say they appreciate Engel’s adaptability, as well as the unique perspective she is able to provide as a Deaf person herself. “Becky strives to teach her classes about Deaf culture and how to interact within the Deaf community,” wrote one nominator. “Not only does she teach ASL, but she also teaches us proper etiquette, what to expect when in a Deaf community event, and other important things that help us learn how to interact with the Deaf community.”

Engel earned her bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University and her Master of Deaf Education from Western Oregon University. She taught at the Washington School for the Deaf before becoming an instructor at Clark College. Currently she is a tenure-track instructor at the college, teaching not only standard language classes but also a course in American Deaf Culture and a special Honors Program language class. She serves on the ASL advisory boards for the Vancouver, Battle Ground, Evergreen, and Camas school districts, as well as on Clark College’s Social Equity Task Force and Emergency Building Coordinator Committee.

Dr. Nicholas Macias, Computer Science and Engineering

Dr. Nicholas Macias has had an almost life-long fascination with computers. He began playing around with programming on the computers at his high school, even though he wasn’t yet old enough to take the school’s computer science classes. “I’d pull people’s code out of the garbage, uncrumple it, type it in, and try to figure out what it did,” he recalls.

That boundless curiosity and enthusiasm is still on display now that he teaches computer science himself. “He’s intensely passionate not just about teaching, but also about learning,” wrote a student in nominating him. “He’s dedicated so much of his life to the work that he loves, and it always shines through.”

Dr. Macias earned his master’s degree in computer science from George Washington University and another in mathematics from Duke University. He earned his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Virginia Polytechnic University. He spent many years as a computer scientist in both government and private enterprise before deciding to focus full-time on teaching. He has taught at Clark since 2011 and has served as a faculty advisor for both the Computer Science and Engineering and the MARS Robotics student clubs.

“Knowing that this award is based in part on student input means so much to me,” said Dr. Macias. “I like to believe that I’m helping students, even when I know I’m making them work hard and they’d rather have the weekend free! This award feels like a very big ‘Thank You,’ and gives me hope that what I’m doing really is making a difference.”

Brian McVay, Welding

You could say welding runs in Brian McVay’s blood—both his father and stepfather were welders, and his mother worked as a machinist on nuclear submarines. “In the eighth grade, I knew what I wanted to do,” he said.

McVay studied welding at Clark College before being accepted into a boilermaker apprenticeship. Later, he returned to Clark for further studies to prepare for an apprenticeship as an ironworker, a job he held for 17 years. “I always came back to Clark,” he said, noting that he returned to the college again for management classes later in his career. “Education has been something that I really value. I wake up in the morning looking forward to learning something new that day.”

In 2014, he found himself returning to Clark again—this time, to teach. He said he enjoys being able to give back to a place that taught him so much, preparing students for today’s industrial jobs.

“I tell my students on the first day of class, ‘I don’t give you a grade. You earn your grade,’” he said. “I run my shop like it would be run in the industry.”

Students appreciate his “tough love” approach. “Mr. McVay has a very ‘let’s get it done now’ attitude,” wrote a nominator. “However, he never teaches us to prioritize the work over safety. … He pushes us ahead in order to help us achieve more.”

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

On May 1, members of the Clark community gathered in Gaiser Student Center to celebrate the college’s newest tenured faculty members. Dr. Lindsay Christopher (English), Michael Ludwig (dental hygiene), Brian McVay (welding), Alexis Nelson (English), Tobias Peterson (English), Mary Ellen Pierce (nursing), and Lora Whitfield (early childhood education) were all granted tenure during the Clark College Board of Trustees meeting on March 14. The event also provided occasion to celebrate two new deans. Dr. Brenda Walstead and Jim Wilkins-Luton had been serving as interim deans of Business and Health Occupations and Transitional Studies, English, Communications and Humanities, respectively, but were recently appointed to those positions in a permanent capacity.

To read more about the newly tenured faculty, read our article announcing their tenure. To see more photos of the event, visit our Flickr album.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

 

Seven outstanding educators are the newest members of the tenured faculty at Clark College. Dr. Lindsay Christopher (English), Michael Ludwig (dental hygiene), Brian McVay (welding), Alexis Nelson (English), Tobias Peterson (English), Mary Ellen Pierce (nursing), and Lora Whitfield (early childhood education) were all granted tenure during the Clark College Board of Trustees meeting on March 14.

Tenure is awarded by the college’s Board of Trustees based on professional excellence and outstanding abilities in their disciplines. The granting of tenure is based on the recommendations of tenure review committees to the vice president of instruction, which are then forwarded to the president, who presents a final recommendation to the Board of Trustees. Recommendations are based on self-evaluations, tenure review committee evaluations, student evaluations, supervisory evaluations, and peer evaluations. The final decision to award or withhold tenure rests with the Board of Trustees.

“Tenure is a landmark moment—both in the careers of the individual faculty members, as well as in the history of the college as a whole,” said Dr. Tim Cook, Vice President of Instruction. “These faculty members will become a crucial part of the college’s community and will help shape its curriculum and character for years to come. I look forward to seeing these talented and passionate educators contribute to Clark’s collective legacy.”

About the faculty members

Dr. Lindsay Christopher

Dr. Lindsay Christopher holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from Mercyhurst College and University of Buffalo, respectively. She earned her Ph.D. in Literary Studies from the University of Denver. Her teaching experience includes the University of Denver, Arapahoe Community College, and Clark College.

At Clark, Dr. Christopher has participated in college-wide initiatives focused on integrative learning; power, privilege, and inequity; open education resources; and the college’s “common read” book and theme. She leads the English Department’s literature and technical writing work groups and has also taught “Introduction to Clark College,” a course designed to help new Clark College students succeed at the college.

“At the core of my teaching practice is the conviction that when students engage in active inquiry in a diverse curriculum that honors their experience, they begin their journeys to becoming powerful thinkers and creators, innovative leaders, and dynamic citizens,” said Dr. Christopher.

Michael Ludwig

Michael Ludwig is a Clark College alumnus, having received his Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene from the college in 1997. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from Eastern Washington University and is completing his Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University.

Ludwig has 16 years of professional experience as a dental hygienist in private practice and 14 years of teaching experience at Clark College. He currently serves as the Lead Restorative Instructor in the college’s Dental Hygiene program.

“Students learn in a variety of ways,” said Ludwig. “My approach is to utilize a variety of teaching methods to reach as many students as possible in an organized manner while providing clear goals and expectations.”

 

Brian McVay

Brian McVay is also a Clark alumnus, having attended Clark’s welding program before going on to a four-year ironworker apprenticeship. He has work experience as an ironworker, a quality assurance inspector at Cascade General Shipyard, and as an ultrasound operator for nondestructive testing. McVay, who has taught at Clark for three years, is a Certified Welding Inspector and a Washington Association of Building Officials (WABO) Test Examiner.

At Clark, McVay helps advise future students and gives tours of the welding program. He is the faculty advisor of the Clark College Welding Club and administers WABO weld testing. He is also active in outreach work to regional industry to assess its needs.

McVay says his teaching philosophy involves showing the real-world applications of lesson material and making sure students understand the material thoroughly.

Alexis Nelson

Alexis Nelson earned her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of California at Santa Barbara and her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing with a nonfiction emphasis from Portland State University. She has teaching experience at both PSU and at Clark.

At Clark, Nelson has served as co-director of the Columbia Writers Series and has grown it from an annual to a quarterly event. She also founded Subtext, the college’s annual literary festival, and serves as co-advisor for the college’s creative writing club.

“My approach to teaching is hands-on and student-centered, with an emphasis on group discussion, workshopping of student writing, and learning to read as writers,” said Nelson.

Tobias Peterson

Tobias Peterson holds bachelor degrees in both Spanish Literature and English from the University of Texas at Austin. He earned a Master of Arts in English from George Mason University and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing with a focus on poetry from Texas State University. Peterson has teaching experience at Austin Community College, Texas State University, Portland State University, Clackamas Community College, and Clark College.

At Clark, Peterson has served on numerous college-wide committees and task forces, including Planning and Accreditation, Program Improvement Process, Teaching and Learning, Opening Day Planning, Strategic Plan Development, Credit for Prior Learning, and Title III Grant. He serves as the evidence chair for the Academic Excellence Core Council and is the former co-chair of the Outcomes Assessment Committee. Within the English Department, he serves on the Creative Writing and the Technical and Professional Writing committees. He also helps coordinate the annual Clark Crossings Reading Series.

Peterson described his approach to teaching as “outcomes-focused and project-driven. I see my role as a ‘guide on the side,’ to inspire, enable, and empower my students to meet learning goals in applied settings and through practical application.”

Mary Ellen Pierce

Mary Ellen Pierce earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alaska and her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Phoenix. She has 35 years of work experience as a registered nurse working in a variety of settings, including hospitals, post-acute care, community-based care, and legal nurse and health care consulting. She has extensive experience in nursing administration, as well as four years of experience as a nurse educator.

At Clark, Pierce serves on the Academic Standards and Program Improvement Process committees, as well as numerous departmental committees. She is also an active member of the college’s Guided Pathways faculty team, which is tasked with planning Clark’s transition to this successful, structured model of higher education.

“I believe in dynamic teaching that engages students in the learning process, challenges them to think, question, and use their ‘nursing voices’ to promote optimal patient care and best practice,” Pierce said.  “I believe learning is an ongoing process that serves to enhance and strengthen each person’s skills and abilities and that inclusive collaboration and mutual respect are key components of positive growth, both individually and collectively.”

Lora Whitfield

Lora Whitfield is a Clark College alumna, having earned her Associate in Applied Science in Early Childhood Education in 2002. She earned her Master of Arts in Human Development with a specialization in Early Childhood Education and Bi-Cultural Development from Pacific Oaks College. Whitfield has work experience at Albina Early Head Start in Portland, Ore., and at the Southwest Washington Child Care Consortium.

During her time teaching at Clark, Whitfield has served on the Clark College Early Childhood Advisory Committee, the Early Childhood Teacher Preparation Council, the State Board Faculty of Color Mentorship Program, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

“As an educator, I am committed to treating each individual with respect,” Whitfield said. “I believe respect is paramount in creating environments that promote students’ ideas, passions, and interests in a meaningful and organic way. I strive to provide settings where everyone can share their ideas without bias and be included in all aspects of learning.”

Addition on June 14: Kay Cook

Math professor Kate Cook was granted tenure during the Clark College Board of Trustees meeting on June 14.

Cook earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics and education at Principia College in Illinois and her master’s degree in mathematics at California State University, East Bay. She has previous teaching experience at Portland Community College and began teaching at Clark as an adjunct in 2008.

Cook’s involvement at Clark includes leading the Core to College Grant team, serving as the course coordinator for statistics courses in the Mathematics Department, and presenting mathematics worksheet ideas at local and national conferences.

“I try to meet the student at their level and encourage them forward to new confidence and ability in math,” said Cook, who lives in Vancouver. “I’ve found that a bit of humor helps make that rocky path more enjoyable.”

 

 

 

On Thursday, October 6, Clark College will host a panel discussion about the rise in income inequality and the widening opportunity gap.

Income Inequality: Is the American Dream at Risk? takes place at 6 p.m. in Foster Auditorium on Clark’s main campus. An opening reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Four Clark College faculty from diverse disciplines will offer their expertise on the topic in a discussion that stems from the ideas set forth in a New York Times bestseller, Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis by Robert D. Putnam. Discussion topics will include increasing disparity in income, the shrinking middle class, and the lack of opportunity for many Americans.

“The idea of attaining success through merit and achieving the so-called American Dream is more difficult than ever,” said economics instructor Patricia Atkinson, who will be one of the panelists. “Statistics show that the middle class is shrinking at an alarming rate and there are fewer and fewer opportunities to get ahead in our current economy.”

Panelists are economics instructor Patricia Atkinson, political science professor Michael Ceriello, women’s studies professor Kushlani de Soyza, and sociology professor Dr. Don Ludwig. The discussion will be moderated by Dave Kosloski, professor of Communications Studies and former Speech and Debate coach for Clark’s award-winning debate team. Biographies of each panelist are listed below.

Clark College is located at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver. Driving directions and parking maps are available at www.clark.edu/maps. Anyone needing accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event should contact Clark College’s Disability Support Services Office at (360) 992-2314 or (360) 991-0901 (VP) prior to the event.

About the Panelists

Patricia Atkinson has been an Economics professor at Clark College since 2008. She holds degrees from Marist College and Portland State University and is currently studying for her doctorate in education at Washington State University-Vancouver. Professor Atkinson’s research focuses on macroeconomics, economic growth and income inequality in the U.S.

Dr. Don Ludwig has been a professor of Sociology at Clark College since 2007. He holds degrees from Rutgers University, Princeton Theological Seminary and Whitworth University and earned his doctoral degree from Portland State University and the International University for Graduate Studies. Professor Ludwig’s research has focused on social change and transformational leadership as well as the equitable support systems for disadvantaged youth.

Kushlani de Soyza has been a professor of Women’s Studies at Clark College since 2008. A former newspaper editor, reporter, and radio producer, she holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati, Portland State University and Oregon State University. Her areas of interest in feminist theory include media and representation as well as exploring theories of race and racialization. Most recently she has been involved with Clark College’s growing Learning Community Program.

Michael Ceriello has been a professor of Political Science at Clark College since 2007. In addition to providing political commentary for newspaper, radio, and television outlets in Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington, he also served as the director of Clark College’s award-winning Model United Nations program from 2008-2011. Professor Ceriello holds degrees from the University of California at Santa Barbara and Western Washington University. His areas of interest include American national government and public policy.

Dave Kosloski has been a professor of Communication Studies at Clark College for the past 19 years. He served as Clark College’s Director of Speech and Debate from 1998 until 2015; the program earned top honors among all Northwest community colleges for 14 of those years. He is currently serving his fifth term as chair of the Curriculum Committee.

 

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. Four employees–Facilities Services Maintenance Mechanic Michael Conder, ITS Specialist David Sims, Business Professor Patti Serrano, and eLearning ITS Specialist Scott Coffie–earned recognition for 35 years of service to the college.

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 recipients were announced to be recipients of the annual Exceptional Classified Staff Awards: Linda Healy and Vanessa Meyer.

Six 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. The newest coin recipients are:

Adnan Hamideh

Originally joining Clark College in 2001 as a temporary business instructor, Dr. Hamideh received tenure in 2005 and now serves as the division chair of the Business Department. He holds a Doctorate of Education from Portland State University. President Knight called Dr. Hamideh a “tireless proponent” of the new Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Management degree that Clark will begin offering this academic year. In addition, Dr. Hamideh has led the development of the Business Core classes that help students prepare for business majors.

Rebecca Kleiva

After graduating from Clark College in 2010, Kleiva was hired as a program coordinator in Eligibility Programs (now Workforce Education). She was promoted to her current position of program specialist in 2011. In this position, she has managed the Worker Retraining Financial Aid program, which helps support students as they transition into new career paths, and developed partnerships and strategies that have helped the program exceed its target enrollment every year.

“She has consistently performed her job duties with the highest degree of integrity and professionalism,” said President Knight. “She is an innovative thinker who continues to evaluate how she can improve processes and procedures to better serve her students. … Her knowledge and eagerness to learn things that are outside of her normal job responsibilities help to ensure that the customer service that she provides to the public, community partners, co-workers and students is exemplary.”

Felisciana Peralta

Felisciana “Felis” Peralta joined Clark College in 2008 as a Multicultural Retention Manager and was recently promoted to Director of the Office of Diversity and Equity.

“In her eight years at the college, she has been a strong advocate and partner on issues related to diversity and social justice, helping to create and support a supportive learning environment for our students,” said President Knight. “She is a champion of equity and inclusion and has played a vital role in the development of the college’s Diversity Plan, Social Equity Plan, and Diversity Center.”

Peralta sits on the Cultural Pluralism Committee, Academic Early Warning Committee, and the Incident Response Team at Clark. On the state level, she has been a leader of the Multicultural Student Services Directors’ Council and its annual Students of Color Conference. In June, she received the 2016 Val Joshua Award, recognizing her leadership in working towards eliminating racism and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people.

Brenda Shular

Brenda Shular graduated from Clark College in 1996 and was hired the following year as a purchasing assistant. She currently serves as a procurement and supply specialist in the college’s Office of Purchasing and Central Services.

“She is a rock-solid employee who manages an enormous amount of orders in Purchasing in a timely way and with great customer service,” said President Knight. “She’s played a key role in getting the STEM Building orders processed in time to ensure furniture and equipment is ready for the building’s opening.”

Mike Silva

Mike Silva graduated from Clark College in 2001 and was hired as a computer maintenance technician later that same year. He was promoted to an Information Technology Systems Specialist in 2002 and now serves as the supervisor of the Multimedia Department.

Last year, Silva led a collegewide effort to redesign the college’s standard classroom technology configuration. Working with faculty and staff, he developed a new design that not only provides additional teaching tools for faculty, but saves nearly $10,000 per classroom in equipment costs. He has also been part of the effort to make the college’s new STEM Building ready for students and faculty.

“Over the past 14 years, he has been in a variety of technical roles providing outstanding customer service and a calm, reassuring voice able to solve the thorniest technical problems,” President Knight said. “As the labs supervisor, he hired and mentored hundreds of student workers, preparing many for jobs and life after their graduation from Clark College. In mentoring these students, he clearly demonstrates that we all have a role to play in student success. … He is an outstanding supervisor, technician, and friend to many on campus.”

Caleb White

Caleb White joined Clark College as a tenure-track welding instructor in 2013 and received tenure in 2016. He holds an associate degree in automotive and diesel technology from Universal Technical Institute and previously worked at Christensen Yachts, where he helped build some of the biggest luxury yachts in the world.

“He has not been at the college for a long time, but he has already made an impact,” said President Knight.

White has worked to redesign the welding curriculum to include more hands-on learning that can be translated directly into the workplace. Each quarter, his students use their skills to create a project. Projects have included aluminum stools for students to use in the welding lab, a large pressure vessel that can be used on job sites, and an aluminum fishing boat that was a star attraction of the college’s display at the 2016 Clark County Fair.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley