It was an evening to remember at the Cascades Amphitheater as hundreds of students from Clark College crossed the stage to celebrate a milestone that, for some, had been years in the making. Pomp and Circumstance played throughout the loudspeakers as students made last-minute adjustments to gowns and straightened their caps before stepping through the double doors to the Amphitheater and into the next chapter of their lives.

To say students were excited would be an understatement; they didn’t file into the Amphitheater – they floated in, with pride and hope for the future carrying them to their seats. Families waved and hollered enthusiastically from the audience when they spotted their grad entering, their cheers echoing across the arena.

Each of this year’s 2,131 graduates savored the moment their name was called. Some waved their scrolls at the audience as they crossed the stage, and one even jumped and whooped after President Dr. Karin Edwards handed him the document. Each of these inspiring graduates represents the next generation of leaders, workers, scholars, and dreamers in Southwest Washington and beyond.

As Dr. Edwards said to the graduates in her closing remarks: “Your impact will send ripples far into the world and will touch lives in ways you may never know.” And we are Penguin Proud of them!

2025 Commencement Highlights

This year, Clark College conferred a total of 1,915 degrees and certificates and recognized 2,131 graduates. This is a 32% increase in graduates from last year.

By the Numbers

This year’s graduation numbers have grown significantly since last year:

• 2,131 graduates – up 32%
• 1,614 associate degrees awarded – up 35%

  • 1,291 of those were direct transfer degrees for students continuing to four-year universities – up 26%

• 903 career-technical graduates earned workforce-ready degrees or certifications – up 66%
• 604 Running Start students received both a high school diploma and a college credential – up 35%
• 580 professional certificates earned in a wide range of career-ready disciplines – up 66%
• 133 bachelor’s degrees awarded in applied fields like management, cybersecurity, dental hygiene, and human services – up 39%
• 100 adult high school diplomas – up nearly 59%

Coming Fall 2025: Degree Programs on the Rise

Dr. Edwards highlighted Clark’s new offerings, which are expanding to meet the needs of the region’s growing industries. Some graduates have elected to continue their education in the following areas this fall:

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – the college’s first BS degree
• AAT in Surgical Technology – the first of its kind in Southwest Washington
• Advanced Manufacturing Program – includes two new certificates and an integrated technology degree

Words of Wisdom from the Stage

Commencement speakers offered heartfelt reflections and encouragement to the graduating class.

President Dr. Edwards’ sentiments came full circle as she reminded students of her message on unity at the beginning of the year:

“As future leaders, thinkers, and change-makers, everyone is responsible for carrying this spirit of unity into the world. Strive to bridge gaps, foster collaboration, and create environments where everyone feels valued and included, whether in workplaces, communities, or schools. Use your collective knowledge, talents, and passions to create a brighter, more unified future.”

Clark College Board of Trustee Chair Denise Gideon above, shared the story of her own educational journey to show that we too often only see the finished product and not the perseverance it took to get there. She left graduates with this message:

“Stop measuring your worth against someone else’s journey. Your path is your own. And it is enough. While this chapter may be closing, I encourage you: don’t close the book. Stay open to the possibility of continuing your education – on your own timeline, in your own way. You have what it takes to go as far as your dreams will carry you.”

CCAHE Faculty Union President and Professor of Communications Studies Suzanne Southerland affirmed to the graduates that, in a time of disinformation and extreme divide, the world needs THEM.

“It needs your ability to work with passion and tenacity, it needs you to stay informed and to stay involved, it needs your problem solving and your sense of humor, it needs your capacity to care, your sense of right and wrong and your love for your fellow human. We need your ability to think deeply and act ethically and with compassion. So go out there and question authority and challenge those systems that just aren’t working.”

Student speaker Malina Siharath, above, who earned a direct transfer associate in arts degree,urged the Class of 2025:

“Your box may feel safe, but the steps you take outside of it will set you free. Trust in yourself, and the rest will follow. And as you walk across the stage tonight, diploma in hand – we’ll take that first step together. It’s time to step out of the box.”

Special Student Recognitions

The 2025 Community College Presidents’ Award, in honor of Val Ogden, was presented to Gurraj Singh Dhami, who impressed the Presidential Scholarship Task Force with his academic excellence, leadership, work ethic, and drive to help others and give back to his community. This annual scholarship is awarded to a Clark College graduate who is transferring to Washington State University – Vancouver.

In his application, Gurraj shared, “Higher education is the door to my dream. It helps me grow, learn, and one day, give back. I want to make my family and community proud. This is because I want to honor everyone important in my life – my grandparents, parents, and sisters.”

With the help of the Clark College Foundation, two additional students were recognized with $1,500 scholarships:

• Josh Bergstrom graduated with an associate in arts degree and plans to continue his studies in political science and eventually attend law school with the goal of becoming a congressman.
• Dorji Damdul graduated with an associate in arts degree in Business Administration with plans to study finance and become a financial advisor.

In Their Own Words

Before the ceremony began, students mingled with faculty members outside the Amphitheater, sharing the stories that brought them to where they are today.

Lucinda Nieves, who earned her AA in Health Information Management, proudly represented the Quinault Tribe by wearing a cedar-woven cap, continuing a longstanding tradition in her tribe.

As her cap stated, Lorelei Steuben was truly “Made to Teach.” She asked all of the students in her student teaching class to sign her cap – a reminder of the lives she touched that she could carry with her across the stage.

After coming to the United States as a homeless 10-year-old, Veronica Bustillos didn’t know what college was, so she didn’t even consider higher education an option. She went through setbacks but also had four beautiful children – they are what kept her on track when she was struggling. Because of them, she proudly stood on that stage as a first-generation graduate with a bachelor’s degree in human services. She even received a full-ride scholarship to PSU to pursue a master’s degree in social work.

“When I got the honors cord, I about died,” Veronica shared as she straightened the many pieces of regalia on her shoulders. “I’d been working my butt off to get good grades. I’ve never been a good student, so that meant a lot to me.”

Fortunato Hernandez Espinoza earned his diploma from Clark alongside his daughter, Miriam Espinoza. Miriam and the rest of his family are the ones who motivated him to continue his studies, as he wanted to achieve a better life for them. He hopes this education will help him reach the next level in his career.

With pride (and a bit of humor), Kat Skvartsova showcased her post-graduation on her cap. She’s known she’s wanted to be a pharmacy tech since sitting in her high school chemistry class – after falling in love with the subject, she became determined to find a career in the pharmaceutical field.

Jennifer McMillan earned her nursing degree, a longtime dream that she pursued after losing her job after the pandemic hit. After her husband passed away on her second day in the nursing program, she knew that he would want her to continue chasing her dreams. Now, she works at The Vancouver Clinic, putting to use the degree that she overcame so much to earn.

Relive the Excitement

Browse photos from the 2025 Commencement on Flickr or watch the ceremony on YouTube!

Photos: Clark College

Chishayla Kimmons’ educational journey has been anything but ordinary—but that’s exactly what makes it so inspiring. As the president of Clark College’s Black Student Union and a soon-to-be graduate in business and marketing, Kimmons took center stage at the Winter Students of Color Luncheon on February 6 to share her story of perseverance, purpose, and resilience. From navigating multiple colleges to finding her home at Clark, she embodies the power of determination and the impact of community.

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

President of the college’s Black Student Union, Kimmons’ educational journey hasn’t been linear and has never been traditional. She started at Portland Community College and then attended Arizona State University. Next, she enrolled at Aveda Institute and currently is a student at Clark College. Her goal has always been to focus and finish what she started, even if she couldn’t finish where she initially started. She says her motto will always be to never give up while inspiring others.

Dr. Edwards wrote in her weekly email to faculty and staff: “I had the pleasure of attending the Students of Color Luncheon, where Chishayla Kimmons, who will graduate in June with degrees in business and marketing, shared her journey. After enrolling in several colleges, Chishayla found her place here at Clark. She expressed her appreciation for all the college has provided her.”

Q & A with Chishayla Kimmons

Q: How has your career path changed since you attended your first college classes at Portland Community College?

CK: Since attending my first college classes at Portland Community College, my focus has always been business. Now, I am heavily focused on business and marketing.

Q: Along your journey, did you experience an obstacle that made you change your course—and it turned out to be a better option for you?

CK: Having a child changed that course for me. Prior, I allowed life and outside factors to get in the way and to shift my focus, which resulted in me dropping out of college the first time. Having a child brought that initial hunger back. Now I am enrolled at Clark College, which in turn was a better overall option for me.

Q: What have you learned along your educational journey that you’d like to pass on as advice to Clark College students who are unsure of their career path?

CK: Something that I have learned is to try all the things! You don’t have to fit in a box. If you want to be an astronaut, be one. If you want to be an astronaut and a chef, be that! You may find that along your journey, you want to switch courses and that is okay too! Keep trying until you find that career that best suits you and who you are today!

Q: What other encouragement do you offer to students?

CK:

• Remember: It is never too late!
• Never, ever give up!
• Focus and finish!
• You got this!

Scholarships Awarded

Two Clark students were awarded scholarships during the Students of Color Luncheon:

• Mercy Kariuki, a student enrolled in the Pre-Nursing DTA program, was awarded the Constance Baker Motley Scholarship.
• Navjot Hundal, a student enrolled in the Dental Hygienist program, was awarded a DREAMers Scholarship.

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) offers these and other scholarships in partnership with the Foundation and the community. Apply at the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by emailing Rosalba Pitkin at rpitkin@clark.edu or calling 360-992-2672.

SAVE THE DATE: Next DEI luncheon

• March 6 at noon: Students with Disability Luncheon in PUB 161

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

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

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.

Aukusitino “A.J.” Ah-Yek was recently named the first recipient of the newly created Sigma Scholarship, awarded by the Clark College Mathematics Department to support and encourage students who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields to pursue higher-level mathematics. “Thanks to generous donations from many of you in our college community, we are awarding AJ $1500 to go towards his future education,” wrote mathematics professor Kayoko Barnhill in an email to college employees today.

Ah-Yek enrolled at Clark College as a Running Start student, initially undecided about his degree path. Soon after finishing his pre-calculus courses, he became a math tutor and eventually an engineering and writing tutor. Throughout his time at Clark, he has played in the college’s Jazz Band and also participated in engineering competitions at the college. After graduating this spring with his Associate in Science – Transfer Track 2 degree, he plans to transfer to WSU Pullman to major in mechanical engineering and minor in mathematics. His career focus is in Aerospace Engineering.

“On behalf of the Tutoring Services Team, I would like to let the scholarship committee know that they definitely got the right candidate when they picked A.J. for this,” wrote Tutoring Services Program Manager Janice Taylor. “A.J. is not only an academic rising star, but he is also a rock star in Tutoring Services!  He is not afraid to set high goals and he will achieve every single one of them in the shortest time possible.  AJ has been an invaluable member of our team and a great resource for his fellow peers at Clark College, we are excited and sad to see him head off to Pullman.”

This year’s recipient of the Community College President’s Award in Honor of Val Ogden is Evans Kaame, a student who has been through much and traveled far to pursue his educational dreams.

About Evans Kaame

Evans Kaame was born and raised in a small community in northwestern Kenya. After his father died, the family was thrown into hardship and poverty. “I watched my younger siblings crying as my mom left early in the morning and came home at 9 p.m.,” he recalled. “We didn’t know if we were going to eat at night or not.” 

When Kaame was in his early teens, he decided to leave home and live on the streets to ease the burden on his mother and siblings. “The street was a new life with so many barriers … but because tragedies happen in life, I had to do this,” he said. “I had no other option. I fought cold nights in the street … being on drugs and breaking into people’s homes. I had to survive. I had no choice.” 

In 2009, the course of Kaame’s life changed once again, when a charity called New Hope Children entered him into its program providing housing and education to street children. At New Hope, Kaame’s academic potential became realized. He graduated from high school in 2016 at the top of his class. However, his challenges were not yet over: He could not afford to enroll in college in Kenya. 

New Hope’s founder, Rachael Swanson, lives in Vancouver and graduated from Clark College. She encouraged Kaame to apply to Clark, and in 2018, after securing a student visa and scholarship funding from Clark College Foundation, Kaame enrolled at Clark as an international student. 

Kaame has thrived at Clark College. This past academic year, he has served as student government president. He has run on the college’s track-and-field and cross-country teams. He has volunteered with multiple local organizations, as well as at Clark College’s Penguin Pantry and as a Peer Mentor for international students. And he has earned a Grade Point Average of more than 3.9 while doing so. 

After graduating from Clark College with his transfer Associate in Arts degree, Kaame intends to continue his studies, focusing on business administration, political science, and comparative religious studies. He hopes to one day create a global initiative focused on leadership and management. 

About the Community College President’s Award

The Community College President’s Award in honor of Val Ogden is given each year to a student who has completed their studies at Clark College and is transferring to Washington State University Vancouver. They receive full tuition and fees for two years while they finish their bachelor’s degree at WSU Vancouver. The award is traditionally announced during that year’s Commencement ceremony.

“Hola, soy Denisse,
hoy sere su enfemera,” read the elaborate script on the top of Denisse
Zuniga-Ibarra’s graduation cap, below a cluster of silk flowers. Or, in
English: “Hello, I’m Denisse, today I’ll
be your nurse.”

Zuniga-Ibarra was one of 835 graduates waiting in line to
enter Sleep Country Amphitheater for Clark College’s 2019 commencement ceremony—and
each one, it seemed, had their own story to tell of perseverance and triumph.

“Graduation, to me, means a new job, a new beginning, making
my parents proud and giving back to my community,” said Zuniga-Ibarra, who was
receiving her Associate in Arts degree in Nursing.

Almost 2,500 degrees and certificates were conferred on
graduates in the 2018-2019 academic year—a record number for the college. It
included the first graduates of the Clark’s new Cuisine Management program, as
well as of the college’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Management
(BASAM) degree program.

For the BASAM graduates, the event was bittersweet—one member
of their cohort, Debbie Terry, died before she could receive her degree. Her
classmates held a poster with pictures of her as they waited in the white robes
reserved for bachelor’s-degree graduates. During the ceremony, Terry’s
daughter, Melanie Carter, would be the first person to cross the stage,
receiving her mother’s degree post-humously.

Family featured strongly in many graduates’ stories. For Amanda Rath, this night wasn’t about making her parents proud, but rather, her own four children, aged 3 to 13. All of them would be watching their mother walk across the stage to receive her high school diploma, which she earned through the college’s Transitional Studies department.

“I want to provide something more for my children to see in
the future—something more than just working at a call center,” said the single
mother, who works full-time and is already enrolled to begin the pre-nursing
program at Clark. “I knew that started with pursuing an education.”

Like Rath, Brian Ford Jr. had balanced work, life, and school responsibilities. He was graduating with an Associate in Applied Technology degree in Diesel Technology. “It’s been a long journey—three years,” he said. “I had two kids while I was in school. I worked full-time. But I made it. It’s the biggest accomplishment of my life and I’m so happy to got to this day.”

Once the bagpipes started and the lines of robed figures
filed into the amphitheater, the moments of triumph continued. “Keep going,” Trustee
Chair Jane Jacobsen told the graduates in her remarks during the ceremony. “This
world needs you.”

Jacobsen also pointed out that this ceremony would be the
last one to be presided over by Clark College President Bob Knight, who
announced in January announce that he would be retiring after 13 years as the
college’s president. She thanked him for his service.

Student speaker Soukaina Ouahhabi spoke of the challenges
she had faced as a non-native English speaker studying computer science who
also worked full-time. “Sometimes, I would have to choose which I needed to do
most: eat, sleep or do homework,” she said. “Because I only had time to do one
of them. I’m sure many of you can relate.”

Still, Ouhhabi said, she kept her focus on achieving her
goals. “My desire to reach my goals was stronger than the struggles I faced and
has pushed me to be the strong, smart woman I am today,” she said, to a roar of
applause from her classmates.

There was also applause for the award recipients announced during the ceremony. This included the 2018-2019 Exceptional Faculty Award winners, as well as the 2019-2020 Community College Presidents’ Scholarship, which was given to Esmeralda “Vita” Blanco. Another finalist for the scholarship, Anastasiya Kozlovska, received a $1,000 scholarship as well.

Keynote speaker Julianna Marler, who is a Clark College
alumna, spoke of her journey from being the daughter of Hungarian immigrants to
the first female CEO of the Port of Vancouver USA. “Clark College was a
foundation of my business knowledge,” she said, adding that even some of her
electives, like psychology, wound up being unexpectedly useful in management. “I
wouldn’t have guessed it at the time, but those lessons would turn out to serve
me well.”

As Knight concluded the ceremony, he told the graduates, “We
are excited to think of the ways in which you will change the world. And we are
glad to know that Clark College will always hold a special place in your
hearts.”

More photos can be viewed on our Flickr page.

This year’s recipient of the Community College Presidents’ Award in Honor of Val Ogden was Grace Moe, who graduated with an Associate of Arts transfer degree. “She has shown an exemplary work ethic, participating in student government and volunteering with community organizations while maintaining a high GPA,” said Clark College President Robert K. Knight in announcing the scholarship during the college’s 2018 Commencement ceremony.

Moe came to Clark College through the Running Start program, which allows high school students to earn college credit. A first-generation college student, Moe has excelled at Clark, serving as the president of the Associated Students of Clark College (student government) and earning a cumulative GPA of 3.82. In addition, she has volunteered with Friends of Trees, the Clark County Food Bank, and New Heights Church.

Moe, 17, says that this scholarship will allow her to complete her bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing in two years, when she will be 19 years old; because her parents are unable to financially contribute to her college tuition, without the scholarship she would have had to attend WSUV part-time in order to earn enough to cover the costs. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she intends to spend a year volunteering with her church before beginning a career at a local business.

“My roots are definitely ingrained in this area,” said Moe, who has lived in Vancouver her whole life. “I plan to give back to the community that raised me, by working in the area so that I can continue to volunteer and serve for Vancouver.”

Because Moe was already sitting on stage during the Commencement ceremony in her capacity as ASCC president, Knight invited her to the podium as he announced the scholarship. “You’ve been a wonderful leader and I know we’re going to hear a lot more about you,” he said.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley.

When Nicholas Freese heard his name announced as the recipient of the Community College Presidents’ Scholarship in Honor of Val Ogden, there was one person he wanted to discuss it with, above all others: his 4-year-old daughter, Sadie.

“I really want to know what my daughter thinks about this,” he said as he stood in line to receive his degree, clearly still stunned by the news that he would be able to attend Washington State University Vancouver for two years, tuition-free, in order to complete his bachelor’s degree. Clark College President Bob Knight made the announcement during the 2017 Clark College Commencement ceremony.

It might seem strange to want to know a toddler’s opinion on your academic achievements, but for Freese, Sadie has been at the heart of his pursuit of higher education. “With her, I have the opportunity to be awesome, just from the get-go,” he said during an interview prior to Commencement. “She can just think of Daddy as this great guy who’s worked hard and pursued his goals.”

Freese is painfully aware that many people who have known him since his own childhood might not see him in such an unambiguously positive light. Growing up in Alburquerque, New Mexico, Freese began getting into trouble around the time he entered high school. Trying to escape a violent home life with an alcoholic father, Freese began staying with friends—including “some people I probably shouldn’t have been hanging out with,” he said.

By his junior year, Freese was struggling with his own addiction issues. He bounced between alternative schools, but didn’t graduate from any; he tried rehab, but it didn’t stick. For the next few years, he wandered from city to city: Denver, Seattle, Honolulu, Saipan. By the time he landed in Vancouver, he had made the commitment to get sober, but hadn’t found much direction past that.

All that changed after Sadie was born. “At first, it was like, ‘Daddy’s being clean,’ but after a while I felt like, ‘That’s great, but what’s Daddy going to do?” Freese recalled. “I don’t want to be borderline poverty, like I grew up. I want to be a role model.”

Freese enrolled at Clark College. At first, he found college daunting—less academically than logistically. “I didn’t understand how registration worked,” he said. “I had to use my resources. I had to ask for advice, and I’m not used to asking for advice. I’d be in the Financial Aid Office every day for a week, trying to figure things out.”

But as Freese continued at Clark, he learned how to navigate its support systems. Advisors showed him how to plan his degree; he met friends while working out in the Fitness Center; he took advantage of other free and subsidized services like the Counseling and Health Center and the college’s dental clinic. In the end, Freese graduated with honors, earning a cumulative GPA of 3.77.

It hasn’t always been easy. Freese had to balance his studies with caring for Sadie and volunteering in his community. He serves as a mentor to other recovering addicts, works on clean-up parties in his neighborhood, and participates in activities aimed at improving police-community relations. Additionally, he has worked during much of his time at Clark, though he credits his wife, Ashley, with keeping the family financially afloat while he pursues his education.

“She’s paying the bills,” he said. “She’s working toward this just as much as I am.”

Freese, now 28, plans to major in public affairs at WSUV, with the long-term goal of becoming a lawyer. “I want to be a voice for those who don’t have a voice,” he said. “I want to help people.”

A first-generation college graduate, Freese said he hopes that sharing the story of his struggles and success will help to inspire others who might be facing their own challenges. “I want to show people in a similar case that this is possible,” he said.

For Freese, earning this scholarship means that he will be able to concentrate on his studies at WSUV instead of on how to pay for them. But it also carries deeper meaning than the easing of financial burdens.

“What it means to me is that I’m there, I’ve reached that level,” he said, raising his hand to about chest-height. “I’m not just getting an associate degree—I’m doing well.”

And he knows just the little girl to celebrate that with.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

You want to know Keeley McConnell’s strategy for success, the thing that’s helped her go from remedial math to high-level medical research? It’s this: Stay focused on the path in front of you. One foot in front of the other. If you can make that next step, you can keep going.

Four years ago, the next step was: Get the kids in the car. Pack everything else in around them. Get the heck out of Dodge before your ex comes back.

Eighty miles later, McConnell and her three children arrived at a shelter for victims of domestic violence. She’d left her job, her home. She had no idea how she would support her family on the money she earned as a medical assistant. But one thing at a time. Find a place to live, get some stability.

It was only three months later, when McConnell had moved her family into an apartment, that she considered college. “When I was in high school, I never thought about college as an option,” she says. “I’d taken one class when I was pregnant with my son, but I tested into the lowest level of math they had and I thought, ‘Oh my goodness, this is going to take forever!’”

However, a friend encouraged McConnell to come with her to apply to Clark College. Just as she’d feared, McConnell tested into DVED 21, the lowest-level math course offered at the time. But one thing at a time. Keep your eyes on the path.

McConnell’s other strategy has been listening to advice from friends, family, and mentors. When an instructor suggested she enroll in Clark’s Math Academy program, McConnell signed up. This yearlong program pairs standard classroom time with dedicated math labs, where students get extra help understanding difficult concepts. McConnell describes it as “the key to my success in math.”

By the time McConnell finished her last Math Academy class, not only was she prepared to enter college-level math courses—she’d been recommended to become a math tutor herself. The experience helped boost her confidence and gave her the tools she needed to continue pursuing her dream of becoming a physician’s assistant.

That goal would require her to spend two more years at Clark to earn an associate degree, plus another two at a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s, followed by at least two years of medical school. But. One foot in front of the other. Stay focused on the path in front of you.

McConnell continued to thrive at Clark, finding she enjoyed the intellectual challenge of biology coursework. And once again, a mentor stepped in to change the course of her life. When biology chair Dr. Travis Kibota first approached her about applying to the BUILD EXITO Scholar Program, she was skeptical. Run by Portland State University in partnership with Oregon Health Sciences University, and with funding provided by the National Institutes of Health, the program helps undergraduates from diverse backgrounds become successful in health research careers.

“I was hesitant at first, because I wasn’t originally interested in going into research,” McConnell says. “But it’s been the most amazing opportunity.”

Through her participation in BUILD EXITO, McConnell joined a cohort of students from community colleges in the region who formed a Research Learning Community. Within that RLC, she could learn about careers in research, develop skills, and connect with mentors. She also had a built-in social network to help her make the adjustment to a four-year institution after she graduated from Clark in spring 2016.

“If I had had to do all this without EXITO, I would have been really overwhelmed,” she says. “I knew everyone at Clark—staff, faculty, students. PSU was huge. But the EXITO staff have been there for me—you can go in and ask them anything.”

Now a junior in her second semester at PSU, McConnell is deeply immersed in research in her chosen field of trauma medicine; she’ll even see her name on some upcoming research papers, a big boost to career advancement in the research world. “I work with the Chief of Trauma at OHSU,” she says proudly. “I wear a pager; when a call comes in, I’m there, collecting data and samples.”

McConnell says it was overwhelming when she first walked into OHSU. “I looked up and thought, ‘I’m so close. I’m literally standing in the building I want to have my future in. It’s what I’ve been waiting for my whole life.’”

She still faces challenges. While BUILD EXITO students receive a stipend that significantly eases the financial burden of being a college student, McConnell still works 30 hours a week outside of school to support herself and her three children, now ages 8, 9 and 18. And she struggles to find time to be present for her children as a mom.

“It’s probably my biggest challenge right now,” she says. “But they’re great, they’re my little drivers. I want them to have something better. They need to see that, when you want something and you work really hard at for it, you can get it.”

McConnell brought her son with her earlier this year when she was invited to the Washington State Association of College Trustees’ Transforming Lives Awards banquet, where they sat between Clark College President Bob Knight and two state senators. “I wanted him to experience that,” she says. “But once we were there, I realized how big a deal this was for me, too. With me, I get so focused on the road ahead, I don’t spend much time thinking about the big picture. It made me realize, ‘Oh, gosh, I guess I have come a long way.’ And, you know, my kids and I–we’re still moving forward.”

Are you a student interested in participating in BUILD EXITO? The application deadline for the 2017-2018 year is February 28, and there is a free application help session on Friday, February 24, 10 a.m. – 11:50 a.m., in SHL 124.

 

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Holly Varner had always meant to go to college. She tried taking classes a couple times, but life as a Navy wife made it difficult—she was constantly having to move to follow her husband’s 21-year-long career, not to mention taking care of three boys, now ages 8, 13, and 18. It was only when her husband retired and the family settled in Washougal that Varner could pursue her dream. She enrolled in Clark with just a GED and a handful of community-college classes on her transcript, determined to succeed academically.

During the 2016 Clark College Commencement ceremony, that determination payed off when Varner heard Clark College President Robert K. Knight announce that she was the recipient of the 2016-2017 Community College Presidents’ Award in Honor of Val Ogden. The scholarship award provides full-time tuition at Washington State University Vancouver (WSUV) and is renewable for one additional year, essentially providing full tuition to complete a bachelor’s degree.

As soon as President Knight made the announcement, Varner stood and hugged her son, Jonathan, who had attended Clark alongside his mother through Washington State’s Running Start program, which allows high school students to attend college tuition-free. The two had taken three classes together and even quizzed each other before exams.

“It was great to see him progress, to see him grow,” said Varner.

Varner’s own growth at Clark has been exceptional. She graduated with a 3.98 Grade Point Average (“I was so upset about that A-minus!”) while managing multiple volunteer and extracurricular activities. Varner served as Vice President of Service for Alpha Sigma Phi, Clark College’s chapter of the international honor society Phi Theta Kappa. In that role, Varner helped organize a Thanksgiving basket drive that provided holiday dinner supplies to more than 100 Clark College students and their families—negotiating an agreement with a new vendor that brought down the price of each basket that in turn allowed Alpha Sigma Phi to serve more students. She also coordinated drives to provide books and art supplies to families in local homeless shelters. She interviewed more than 60 homeless individuals to learn what they needed most; based on those interviews, she developed a shoe and sock drive to help them.

“She is the go-to person if advisors, other officers, or administration have questions,” wrote Professor Ruth Trejo, who serves as Alpha Sigma Phi’s advisor. “We joke about her three-inch binder, where her sticky tabs have sticky tabs.”

Varner will begin studying at WSUV this fall. She intends to major social work and/or public health. Varner said that, while her family had educational funding available to them through the GI Bill, she needed to save that funding to help put her children through school. Receiving the Community College Presidents’ Scholarship will allow her to pursue her own education, hopefully to a master’s degree.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley