About Clark

  • Visitor to the Latino Celebration poses with Oswald

  • Two community members stand with umbrellas in the Royce Pollard Japanese Garden

  • Young dancers preform at the Latino Celebration

  • Visitors to the Latino Celebration poses with Oswald

  • Native American Celebration participants dance.

  • Native American Celebration drummers.

  • Archer Gallery

  • Student actors preform in Decker Theatre

  • Woman looks at art in the Archer Gallery

  • Jazz Band on stage in Gaiser Student Center

  • Orchestra members with intruments

  • Concert choir preforms

  • Elementary Science Olympiad competitiors

  • Elementary Science Olympiad introduction

  • MLK event with Lee Mun Wah

For eight decades, Clark College has provided the residents of Southwest Washington and beyond with affordable, high-quality academic and technical education. It has served as a regional hub for learning and development through our educational programs, cultural events, and community services.

Clark College is the second largest single-campus provider of for-credit classes in Washington's community and technical college system. Clark welcomes more than 13,000 students of all ages and backgrounds pursuing their educational or career paths each quarter. Students can earn high school diplomas, GEDs, certificates and degrees in a variety of programs including nursing, dental hygiene, health informatics and mechatronics to name a few. Also, Clark's Running Start program is the largest in the state with more than 1,800 high school students earning college credit for little or no cost. Additionally, Clark has collaborated on partnerships with many regional colleges, universities, and technical institutions, allowing students to apply credits earned at Clark toward their bachelor's degrees.

Clark College's main campus sits on the beautiful 101-acre Vancouver Central Park in the heart of Vancouver, in southwest Washington. The college also offers classes on the campus of Washington State University, Vancouver and at a satellite campus in east Vancouver at the Columbia Tech Center. Economic & Community Development, offering corporate and continuing education classes, is in the heart of downtown Vancouver at the Columbia Bank Building.. Clark College has collaborated on partnerships with many regional colleges, universities, and technical institutions, allowing students to apply credits earned at Clark toward their bachelor's degree.

Athletic programs at Clark College include men's and women's basketball, coed cross country, men's and women's soccer, softball, volleyball and baseball. Clark College is a member of the Northwest Athletic Conference.

 

History and Traditions

Founded in 1933, Clark College is the oldest institution of higher education in Southwest Washington. Founded as a private, two-year, junior college, Clark College received its first accreditation in 1937 and has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities since 1948. It was incorporated into the statewide community college system in 1967. Clark has developed a rich history and relationship with both its own community and the community around it. Many of its annual events, like its Jazz Fest and Sakura Festival, are traditions that go back years or even decades.

Those interested in researching the history of Clark College are welcome to contact the college's Office of Communications & Marketing as well as Cannell Library for information about their respective archives of historic materials.

Noteable Alumni

Over its 80-year history, Clark College has produced many notable alumni. A few examples are:

Visit the Clark College Foundation's alumni page to learn about more of Clark alumni's contributions to the world.

Hours of Operation

Gaiser Hall, Penguin Union Building, O'Connell Sports Center, and Hanna/Hawkins Halls

Monday-Friday: 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Sunday: CLOSED

Cannell Library, Bookstore, and individual academic departments: Please visit department's website. 

Clark College at Columbia Tech Center

Monday-Thursday: 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Friday: 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sun: CLOSED