Did you know that Clark College collaborates with universities in our region to host interns to assist our students while gaining valuable real-world experience? Dean of Student Engagement Cath Busha organized the internship program five years ago and has been supervising interns ever since.

This academic year, Clark is hosting three social work interns with Busha providing their social work supervision. The interns fulfill their university practicum requirement by completing 12 hours per week at Clark. Their internships are nine months and span the academic year.

Busha works with Portland State University’s School of Social Work and other local universities to build internship opportunities with students working toward either a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in social work or working toward a graduate certificate in Student Affairs in Higher Education.

Busha said the result is a win-win for everyone: “The students earn credits and gain real-world experience. Clark benefits from what the interns bring to the table.”

Busha added, “The interns are in school, so they bring us cutting-edge learning and ensure best practices. They build connections with our students and external partners. We learn as much from the interns as they learn from us. Clark is a great place for the social work students to immerse themselves in their field of study.”

During the 2022-23 academic year, Busha supervised two PSU interns. Alexis Washram focused on the Penguin Pantry. Cassandra Walsh worked in the office of Student Care and Conduct and worked as part of the CARE team. Both interns were graduate students in Portland State University’s School of Social Work.

Christi Williams, Associate Director of Student Care, Conduct and Complaints at Clark College, works closely with Busha and the interns. Her connections with Clark are many. First, she graduated from Clark. Second, when she was earning her master’s degree in social work at PSU, she was a Clark intern during the 2021-22 academic year and worked with Busha. After she graduated, she was hired in her current permanent position.

Williams said her internship at Clark provided a “safe environment to learn and make mistakes. I was encouraged to ask questions and learned about how not only my department runs, but how Student Affairs collaborates to ensure student success. I learned about code of conduct, community standards, and supporting the needs of our students. During my internship, I improved my skills in communication and active listening.”

Williams has come full circle. This academic year, she is providing task supervision to interns Kepler Smith and Maria George.

Meet Clark’s 2023 Social Work Interns

This academic year Busha is supervising three social work students who are completing their internships at Clark College.

Maria George (she/her) is studying social work and psychology at the University of Portland. She is completing her practicum at Clark as an intern in the Department of Care, Conduct, and Complaints.

When a faculty member refers a student for a code of conduct violation, George and her supervisor reach out to the student and ask them to schedule a meeting to discuss their options. During the 2022-23 academic year, their office mitigated 108 alleged violations. The most common were cheating and plagiarism.

George said, “In my internship at Clark, I get to take the theories and framework I’m learning in class at University of Portland and then apply that knowledge in real situations. We’re trying to understand where students are coming from and help them be successful.”

Kepler Smith (they/them) is a fulltime student at Portland State University who is pursuing a master’s degree in social work and has a passion for service. They completed their Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology at the University of Oregon in 2021.

Busha said, “With an interest in serving queer and disabled communities, Kepler hopes that their combined personal and professional experience will make them an effective and approachable partner for a wide range of people.”

In their internship, Smith reaches out to students who may be struggling and helps connect them with resources. In short, it’s about recognizing a student’s needs and finding resources through Clark or the service district to meet that need. For example, a professor notices a student has stopped coming to class or a student tells a faculty member they are at risk of living in their car.

Smith said, “Sometimes Clark doesn’t have the tools to meet these needs. However, Clark is well connected with Vancouver, and it’s all about community.”

Smith and Williams recently met with local resources including Lifeline Connections and the Recovery Navigator program via Recovery Café to learn about available resources.

Smith said, “There’s crossover between houselessness and recovery. It’s an encouraging feeling to connect people with what they need.”

Jill Forgash (she/her) has worked at Clark as a student success coach since January 2022. She also is in her second year of a master’s in social work program at PSU pursuing a goal of becoming a licensed clinical social worker/therapist. Forgash was able to stay in her success coach role and work with Busha to complete her employed social work internship at Clark as part of her PSU program.

Forgash explained how her work at Clark complements her classes at PSU: “My role as a success coach includes elements of macro and micro social work. I connect students to resources and help them develop tools to be successful in college.”

She works full time at Clark and is taking 8 credits at PSU. In her classes she has been learning the names of the skills she already has been doing in her work as a success coach.

“In class, we’ve been practicing skills like reflective listening and motivational interviewing—things I’m already doing as a success coach,” Forgash said. “It’s a good feeling to have a confluence of your work and what you’re learning.”

Q & A with former intern Gabriela “Ella” Santoyo Gutierrez

Gabriela “Ella” Santoyo Gutierrez was earning a master’s degree in social work at PSU when she was a social work intern at Clark working in the Student CARE, Conduct and Complaints for the Office of Vice President of Student Affairs. During her internship she helped coordinate, plan, and manage student conduct and care cases concerning students’ mental health and well-being, behavioral intervention, and academic dishonesty. She also attended and participated in national and local DEI training.

Q: How did your internship at Clark prepare you for your career in social work?

GSG: My internship at Clark helped me learn what it means to center trauma-informed practices in intervention, prevention, and wellness meetings while holding direct conversations with students. Attending DEI conferences and training were also so helpful in expanding my equity acumen and learning to tailor training to reach different audiences.

Q: After you completed your Clark internship, what other work did you do while you were still a student at PSU?

GSG: Last academic year I worked part time as an equity and civil rights coordinator for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).

Q: When did you graduate from PSU? Where are you working now?

GSG: After graduating from PSU spring term 2023, I was hired in a full-time role as an equity and inclusion coordinator for the City of Milwaukie, Oregon.

Q: What would you consider your dream job? What are your career goals?

GSG: This new position in Milwaukie is my dream job. I hope to gain more experience in working on community engagement and workforce development to hopefully become a director of DEI at a nonprofit or state level.

Q: What is your advice to students considering an internship opportunity at Clark College?

GSG: Be clear about what skills they want to work on, their communication styles and feedback preferences. I also highly recommend getting involved at Clark and community events whenever possible. Specifically, Clark’s office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) offers monthly B.U.I.L.D. and PPI training, but there are also opportunities to join committees (curriculum, budget, Caring Campus, etc.). Build as many networks at Clark as you can—and enjoy the bakery!

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish

Two children sat on the floor of Gaiser Student Center and examined their treasures: a box of various toys and stuffed animals, a Star Wars coloring book, and a bag of clothing including pink pajamas with animals dancing across the fabric.  

All around the room, 51 large tables were laden with new or gently used gift items available for Clark students and their families to choose as holiday gifts—at no cost. All items were graciously donated by Clark faculty and staff.  Before the students arrived, everyone excitedly arranged their gift articles, trying to make room for new items on their assigned tables as more donated items arrived. 

Clark College hosted its first-ever Free Holiday Market for students and their families on December 6 from 3 to 5 p.m. in Gaiser Student Center. Hosted by faculty and staff, the event provided an opportunity for students and up to four family members to “shop” from new and gently used items at no cost to them.  

The event was sparked by Chef Alison Dolder, head of the Professional Baking & Pastry Arts program, who first had the idea to host a free student holiday market. The pandemic lockdown had dragged on for so long. As classes began meeting on campus again, she thought it would be fun to do something for the students. 

With inflation, skyrocketing prices for food, housing and other essentials, how would students have money left over to buy holiday gifts for their families, and maybe even buy a little something for themselves?  

Dolder explained, “I thought it would be great to get the students together on campus after so long away. But we couldn’t find any organization or group on campus that had the bandwidth to take on the event.” 

Later, Dolder shared her idea with her colleagues in Culinary: Fay Shorten, Lucy Winslow, and Stephanie Hall. They decided to get the event going themselves. When other departments heard about the event, they eagerly joined in.  

A gift for everyone 

A few minutes before the doors opened, the line of students and their families reached down the hall past the culinary kitchen and café. Clearly, people were excited about this opportunity to choose holiday gifts for their families—and even for themselves.  

The faculty and staff stood at their tables, ready to assist shoppers. Dolder stood behind a table. So did Dr. Edwards. They were joined by Tina Barsotti and Carol Hsu from STEM—and dozens of other faculty and staff at their own tables.  

The tables were piled high with classic board games: Scrabble, Jenga, Clue, Operation, Pictionary, and Mastermind. Other tables were stacked with jigsaw puzzles—from kid-sized to 2,000-piece puzzles that a family might spend several days putting together.   

Clothing racks displayed all types of clothing and coats, including shoes still in the shoeboxes. 

Other tables had kitchenware, household items, books, toys, holiday décor, and even propagated live plants and rosemary boughs. Some Clark employees shared their handiwork from their hobbies including sewing, knitting, crocheting, photography, and woodworking.   

Penguin Pantry was ready with 600 meals to distribute. 

The doors opened, and students and their families flooded in, ready to shop. In all, 195 student shoppers brought 198 guest shoppers, with almost 400 people shopping. 

Dolder added, “The students and families were so happy to be there.” 

Lucy Winslow, one of the event organizers, said, “It was so great to see our campus come together in support of students. It made me proud to be a penguin!” 

A student spied a pair of leather cowboy boots on a table and asked, “How much for the boots? And what size are they?” 

The answer: “One ticket. Size 8. Just polished with black shoe polish to bring out the shine.” 

She smiled. “I’ll take them. My sister will love these!” 

That kind of happy transaction happened again and again during the two-hour event. No money was exchanged. Only red tickets, which shoppers received at no charge when they entered the room.  

Before the event started, Dolder worried if the event would be successful. Would students come? Would they bring their families?  

“Looking around at everything on the tables, there was a moment of panic that these volunteers would have to take everything back if no students came,” Dolder said.  

She added. “At the end, there was nothing left! I think we need to have it again next year. It will be bigger and better. We had 51 tables—and could have used more! It far exceeded our expectations.” 

Ongoing opportunities to give to students: 

• Career Clothing Closet: Donate career clothing for students and new graduates starting their careers. Contact careerservices@clark.edu or call 360-992-2902. 
• WES Giving Tree: Donate new hats, gloves, scarves, hand warmers, socks, and throws for students and their families through January 5 in GHL 215. 

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish

Clark College’s Counseling and Health Center opened a sensory room during fall term. The calming space is geared for neurodivergent students who may feel overstimulated and need to take a short break.

During the center’s open house, the sensory room was a popular place. One student lounged on the beanbag chair. Another relaxed in the massage chair. Two more sat on the comfy couch. Others stood and looked around at the space.

Clark is one of the first community colleges in Washington to open a multi-sensory calming space for students. Although these spaces have historically been created to support people with sensory processing challenges, Clark’s sensory room is open to all students, neurodivergent and neurotypical alike.

Shayna Collins, faculty counselor, said, “Supporting the creation of a sensory room sends a strong message that Clark College is a neurodiversity-friendly campus and seeks to attract and retain neurodivergent students.”

Students access the sensory room by stopping by the Counseling and Health Center inside the Health Sciences Building during business hours and request to use the space. The room is available on a walk-in basis. No appointments are made. Currently only one student may access the sensory room at a time.

“I’m so excited that Clark College is jumping on this important trend to better support the health and well-being of students, particularly those with sensory processing challenges,” said Collins. “I am hopeful that getting the word out about our sensory room could drum up more interest in the college from neurodivergent circles in our community. For example, many students have reported that they chose to attend Clark College because support groups were offered for Autism and ADHD.”

Q: What is a sensory room?
Counseling Center: A sensory room is a dedicated space where people can go to decompress. The room offers a variety of calming tools to help regulate the nervous system. Historically, sensory rooms have been created for individuals with sensory processing challenges like ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). However, most everyone can benefit from visiting a sensory room, especially if they are experiencing stress and wanting a peaceful place to calm themselves.

Q: What was the impetus for creating a sensory room in Clark’s Counseling and Health Center?
CC: The idea to start a sensory room at Clark College came directly from Clark students. During several meetings of the Autism Support Group (which is offered every term through the Counseling and Health Center), students were discussing ways they thought Clark College could be more welcoming to neurodivergent students. Many of these students had been discussing the recent opening of the sensory room at the PDX Airport and they brought up the idea of having one at Clark College. They brainstormed items they would want to see in a Clark sensory room and shared details of helpful tools they’ve used to decompress.

Q: How did the Counseling Center staff design the sensory room? How did you determine which elements to include in the room?
CC: The design of the sensory room came first from students who attended the Autism Support Group at Clark College. They provided extensive feedback on the types of items and design aspects important to them. We also sought feedback from other students receiving Counseling and Health Center services and did research on best practices for creating sensory rooms from subject matter experts.

Collins pointed out the sensory room’s calming features:

• Art supplies
• Balance board
• Bean bag chairs
• Coloring books
• Exercise ball
• Fidgets (many options)
• Foot massager
• Heating pad
• Hot tea
• Massage chair
• Nature books
• Noise machine (with nature sounds as well as white, pink or brown noise options)
• Noise-canceling headphones
• Reading material
• Rocking chair
• Silly putty
• Snacks
• Sunlight lamp (for Seasonal Affective Disorder)
• Textured throw pillows and rug
• Weighted blanket

Adelphi University in New York opened the nation’s first sensory room at an American college or university in 2018. The college’s sensory room provides a calming refuge for students who are on the autism spectrum or have other sensory needs.

Since then, other colleges and universities have created similar spaces on their campus. Other Washington community colleges that have opened sensory rooms include South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia and Highline College in Des Moines.

Highline College’s reflection room:

Highline College opened a reflection room in the campus library during fall term. Previously, the space was a large vacant office. Highline students can use the room on a walk-in basis. No advance appointments are made. Students can use the space for 30 minutes at a time if there are others waiting. If they are okay with sharing the space with another student, they can flip the sign on the door to say: “Welcome. Please come in.” 

“The Reflection Room is a multi-sensory environment where students are welcome to go to retreat, relax, and unwind during the day,” said Jenni Sandler, associate dean for accessibility resources at Highline College. “The room creates a safe space for all students, but particularly those who are neurodivergent. It is our hope that students will use the space to relieve stress and anxiety and leave more focused, relaxed, and confident.” 

“Students are practically lining up. Students really benefit and seem to love it. They are also writing positive, identity-affirming notes to each other on the white board. It is really cool to see!” added Sandler. “Many college campuses around the country are creating similar neurodivergent student-centered spaces!” 

South Puget Sound Community College’s calm room:

South Puget Sound Community College opened a calm room in their library in fall of 2022, redesigning an existing group study room into a single-person space outfitted with sensory toys, textured surfaces, and active furnishings designed to support individuals with attention deficit disorders focus and self-regulate. Additional space enhancements included the installation of sound-absorbing tiles, a white noise machine, and alternatives to overhead fluorescent lighting. Students using the calm room can also make use of noise-cancelling headphones and an iPad that is pre-loaded with meditation programs selected in partnership with the SPSCC mental health counselors. As with all library study rooms, the calm room can be reserved for up to two hours at a time.

Amy Tureen, dean of academic success programs, noted that the use of the calm room has increased steadily as more and more students return to campus.

“The success of the calm room is helping us consider how we can improve our existing study spaces to meet the of all students,” Tureen said. “We’re currently looking at expanding some of the most popular aspects of the calm room into other study rooms, as well as designing study rooms for other students with unique needs, such as a room dedicated to supporting parents who need to bring their small children with them to the library to study.”

College campuses with sensory rooms:

• Northwestern
• Vanderbilt
• Stony Brook University
• University of Minnesota
• Adelphi University

Articles about sensory rooms in schools:

• Inside Higher Ed
• The Independent (UK)
• The Washington Post
• The Herald Tribune

Welcome Week kicked off Monday with the first day of fall term and the 2023-24 academic year. Parking lots were crowded as thousands of students returned to classrooms and labs across the main campus, at the Clark College Building at Washington State University Vancouver and also at Clark College Columbia Tech Center. Clark’s mascot, Oswald the Penguin, strolled the hallways and paused for photos with students, staff and faculty. 

As on every first day, students had questions: Where is this class? Where is this building? Can someone help me? In Gaiser Hall and along campus walkways, students could stop at staffed tables to get directions to a building, have questions asked, or get a snack and information about available resources. 

Gaiser Hall’s Student Center bustled with activity as students, staff, and faculty gathered for the Student Involvement Fair in Gaiser Student Center on Wednesday. Students had the opportunity to learn more about the college’s student clubs, programs, on-campus jobs and college and community resources. Students also connected with peers with shared interests—from building a rocket to drawing comics and much more.  

At Clark’s ASCC student government table, student leaders answered students’ questions and shared information about getting involved with student government. Learn about ASCC here.

Students stopped by the Activities Programming Board table to learn about upcoming opportunities to connect with fellow students—including Bingo on October 2, Stuff a Sasquatch on October 9, and watch a free family night movie, “The Barbie Movie” with free pizza and soda, on October 18. Learn more here.

At the Phi Theta Kappa Student Honor Society table, PTK students distributed backpacks filled with school supplies to students who had requested them. Darci Feider said PTK received 133 requests for backpacks, and with help from faculty and staff, purchased and filled 116 backpacks for Clark students. This year, PTK students will volunteer with Penguin Pantry every month. Learn more about PTK here.

At the Columbia Writers Series table, students learned about the literary series and an opportunity to meet 2023 Oregon Book Award Winner Sindya Bhanoo, author of the story collection, Seeking Fortune Elsewhere, on campus on October 19. Learn more here.

At the Igloo table, students picked up past issues of the art department’s annual comics magazine and learned that the 2023 Igloo will be distributed in October.

At the Korean Club table students saw traditional clothing and learned what the club offers: K-Pop, K-Dramas, Korean food, history and much more.

At the Clark Aerospace table, students displayed their “Little Penguin” rocket they designed and built last academic year. Over the summer, some of the students competed in the world’s largest intercollegiate rocket competition in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Volunteers from League of Woman Voters Clark County encouraged students to register to vote. Were you born on or before November 5, 2006? Then you can vote in the March 2024 presidential primary election. Register to vote here.

With food prices rising, students talked with Clark County Food Bank volunteers to learn about food resources available in the community.

Clark College wants to ensure students know about and can access wrap-around services, including Penguin Pantry, Disability Support Services, Counseling and Health Center and more.

Gaiser Hall’s Student Center bustled with activity as students, staff, and faculty gathered for Clark’s Spring Term Involvement & Financial Wellness Fair in the Gaiser Hall Student Center on April 5. Students had the opportunity to learn more about the college’s support services, student clubs and programs.

Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards and Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Michele Cruse (pictured above) made the rounds to chat with attendees. Students met peers with shared interests—from building a drone to drawing comics to International Club to swing dancing and much more. Students could learn about budgeting and financial resources at booths staffed by employees representing Columbia Credit Union, IQ Credit Union, Key Bank, and US Bank.  

Fun activities included a photobooth and free smoothies from Pacific Perks Coffee. At the photobooth, Dr. Edwards and Dr. Cruse donned colorful boas, hats, and oversized glasses and posed for the camera.

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish 

Starting March 1, Clark College students will no longer have to pay for the C-TRAN bus pass called “BackPASS,” thanks to an interlocal agreement between C-TRAN and Clark College. 

“We are grateful to our partners at C-TRAN in our shared efforts to provide for students and improve accessibility,” said Dr. Karin Edwards, Clark College President. “Together we have removed one more barrier to help improve student retention and success.” 

The new benefit applies to all enrolled students. Students need to have their Clark College ID card in order to receive the bus pass sticker. Both can be obtained through the Clark College Bookstore.  

While many students are taking classes remotely and online during the pandemic, the bus pass allows them unlimited transportation on the C-TRAN’s local service area. “Many of our students rely on public transportation to get to and from work, home and school,” said Josiah Joner, Associated Students of Clark College President. “A bus pass is essential and now it’s available to everyone regardless of ability to pay.”