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Fall 2000:

2000-2001:

Based on Fall 2000 headcount:

Based on Fall 2000 headcount:

Based on 2000-01 State Supported Course Enrollments:

Fall Quarter:

All funding sources/Fall 2000 headcount:

Clark College provides opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue their educational goals. The College offers accessible, comprehensive education; provides services to support student success; and fosters community partnerships that enhance student learning. The College focuses on professional/technical training, academic transfer, pre-college and basic skills, personal development, and cultural enrichment.

• Holly Echo-Hawk Solie
• Susan Fratt
• Charles W. Fromhold
• Addison Jacobs
• Kim Peery, Chair

Students at Clark College develop knowledge and skills in six critical areas that reflect expectations of employers and transfer institutions alike. Students are given continuous opportunities to practice and improve their skills in these college-wide abilities:

• Communication
• Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
• Information/Technology
• Global/Multicultural Perspectives
• Effective Citizenship
• Life-long Learning

Clark College is the second largest single-campus community college in Washington. During this coming year we will serve over 12,000 students in our four major mission areas: adult basic skills, technical/professional education, academic transfer, and lifelong learning. From ESL through the Mature Learning Program, our commitment remains. . . providing access to higher education, a high quality experience, and a broad range of programs and services.

The guiding principles that set the future direction for Clark College, the Board of Trustees’ Results Policies, are highlighted in this report. It is through the work of a dedicated faculty and staff that accomplishments in each of the Results Policy areas are realized. We also appreciate the contribution made by community partners and state agencies that join us in being committed to the established goals.

This year the Trustees held a series of focus groups to gather information related to areas for improvement. This year’s report responds directly to actions that are and will be taken as a result of your comments. You can rely on our commitment to the concept of a “learning college”—an organization that consistently evaluates its processes as a means of self-improvement.

As we look to the 2001-02 academic year the College will add another important planning document to the recently completed Master Facilities Plan. The Master Enrollment Plan will set numerical targets for College growth through the year 2015. Once completed, work will begin on the Master Educational Programs and Services Plan, the final document that serves as a foundation for defining the future of Clark College. We look forward to sharing this work with you and continuing to keep you informed about the College, its progress, and its improvements.

Dr. Tana Hasart,  President                    Kim Peery, Board of Trustees, Chair

The College will model a respect for differences and an appreciation of multiple perspectives.

The ethnic diversity of students attending Clark has gradually increased during the last several years. In Fall 2000 over 15.1% of our students were people of color—compared to the 9.2% people of color reflected in the United States Census 2000 statistics for Clark County.

Students from diverse backgrounds learn basic skills to succeed on the job and in everyday life. Adult Basic Education classes serve those with literacy skills below the 9th grade level and GED classes prepare adults to complete a high school education by passing the General Education Development certificate exam. English as a Second Language (ESL) classes provide training for those with limited English skills. During 2000-01, 328 students earned their GED certificates or received adult high school diplomas.

Several actions have been taken during the year to help students from a variety of educational levels and backgrounds achieve academic success.

• The newly renovated AA4 Technology Center includes classroom space for advanced ESL instruction, enabling these students to begin vocational training while fine-tuning their new language skills.
• The closure of the Vanalco plant last winter resulted in a number of displaced workers of Hispanic descent. A 12-week training program was developed by the ESL and Welding faculty, along with WorkSource partners. All 14 participants graduated with improved English and certified welding skills.
• College efforts to encourage and assist students with disabilities have produced significant results in the past five years. Washington State School for the Blind and School for the Deaf are both located close to Clark College. Apriority request from the College to the legislature this year will seek funds for interpreters and readers.

Fall Quarter:

Citizens will have access to educational services that facilitate gainful and meaningful employment.

Preparing students for entry-level employment and retraining workers for new jobs are core elements of our mission. Local workers who have lost jobs due to the downturn in the economy and returning students frequently choose to attend Clark College in order to upgrade their education and skill levels. 271 Clark students earned Associate in Applied Science degrees and 167 completed certificates in professional/technical programs in 2000-01. An additional 106 completed short-term vocational programs or apprenticeships. The median wage rate for 1998-99 program completers was $12.91 per hour. (SBCTC Data Linking for Outcomes Assessment).

The 1999-2000 Vocational Student Follow-up Survey documents a high level of success for students who received workforce education and training at Clark. Of those students who completed programs in 1998-99, a sizeable number of students were already working before they graduated, and a total of 89% found jobs within six months. (CC Vocational Follow-up Survey 1999-2000).

The report further suggests that Clark College graduates received a significantly high rate of starting pay with over 36% earning $16 per hour or more. Among survey participants, 83% were satisfied their that Clark training prepared them for their jobs in classrooms using equipment and tools that met industry standards.

Nearly two-thirds planned to return to school for additional training in the future.

The WorkFirst program provided tuition and training to assist 783 low-income parents acquire new job skills. During 1999-2001 the Southwest Washington Center for Displaced Homemakers at Clark conducted four-week training series in career exploration and survival skills for 178 women and provided support services for 1,718 individuals.

The College links academics and skill training through a network of internships in local businesses and community agencies. Through the Cooperative Education program over 362 students applied their classroom skills in a “real-world” setting during 2000-01.

A $3.5 million renovation project completed in January 2001 transformed a 50-year old college vocational building into a state-of-the-art technology center. A complete second story was created within the existing structure to add 11,907 additional square feet of space for a total of 32,571. An open-space design creates an environment conducive to collaborative learning and encourages interaction among students and faculty in various programs.

Students will experience high quality, innovative education and services that foster student success.

Preparing students to transfer to four-year colleges and universities is a major part of our college mission. In 2000-01, 546 students earned transfer degrees and an additional 2,052 students reached the midpoint of being “transfer-ready”—completing 45 credits in a transfer program with a 2.0 gpa or higher. Reports from Washington universities show that transfer students from Clark College earn grades equal to, or higher than, those of students who began their studies at the four-year colleges.

Washington State University Vancouver and Portland State University continue to attract the largest number of Clark transfer students— 368 or over 67% of the previous year’s total AA graduates.

New options for Clark transfer students in 2000-01 include:

• A baccalaureate degree completion program offered on-site at Clark College through Eastern Washington University for licensed dental hygienists with an associate’s degree.
• An Associate in Science transfer degree that enables students majoring in computer science, engineering, chemistry, physics and other science fields to complete the additional required math and science coursework as part of their degree program before transfer.
• An Associate in Arts degree in Business Administration designed specifically for Clark students transferring to WSU Vancouver that creates a seamless transition from lower to upper division programs.

A knowledgeable and dedicated faculty attend conferences and workshops, complete advanced coursework, conduct research, and acquire additional workplace training to enhance their professional expertise. An innovative six-week course designed to enhance faculty skills in assessing student learning was piloted during winter quarter 2001 and will be offered to all faculty in future months.

Students and citizens will learn in a safe and supportive campus environment.

The completion of the Master Facilities Plan for Clark College provides the necessary concrete planning and analysis to serve the anticipated increase in students as Southwest Washington’s population continues to grow.

A new advising process, launched for Fall 2001, allows new and returning students to begin placement testing and college planning immediately. Advisors help students select classes that match their abilities and interests. New tools include a centralized advising location, a comprehensive handbook for advisors, and a student calendar and planner

Funds were approved by the 2001 State Legislature to complete the design for the new Clark Center on the WSU Vancouver campus in Salmon Creek to serve North County residents and students completing a degree at WSU Vancouver.

A major remodel in the Applied Arts Complex on the main campus provides state of the art learning laboratories for high demand training in data networking and telecommunications, electronics, automated manufacturing and robotics.

A proposal to fund a Student Union Building through a per credit fee was approved by students spring 2001. Student officers envision the new facility as a space to bring students together and encourage participation in a wide range of after class activities, such as clubs, student government, community service, and social events.

Citizens of Southwest Washington and others who rely upon Clark College will be provided a comprehensive education and services that are affordable and accessible.

Education and training is accessible to Southwest Washington residents of all ages, attracting local high school graduates, midcareer residents and seniors. As the second largest community college in the Washington State system, Clark College served over 12,000 full-time and part-time students each quarter during the 2000-01 academic year.

Enhanced online services provide better access to information. A new College web site, www.clark.edu, complies with all federal standards for ADA accessibility. With the online student planner, students can create, in just minutes, a personalized schedule of classes. They can also register for classes, order grade transcripts, apply for financial aid, buy textbooks, and find a classroom on an interactive campus map.

The Child and Family Studies Program (formerly the Early Childhood Education Lab School and Child Care departments, Parent Education and PRIDE) served over 375 families during 2000-01. New programming for toddlers and school age children expanded the age range served from infancy to 10 years. Evening hour services have been added and in the upcoming year birth-to-three early intervention services will begin.

The new design of the program has become a model for the state in integrating the formerly separate views of child care as an economic service and early education as a preschool environment.

The Mature Learning Program offered 150 different classes for over 1,200 students over the age of 55 in 2000-01. Co-programming with community providers included the Thursday evening“Vintage Movie Series,” the “Healthy Heart” fitness class (with SW Washington Medical Center), an Oral History tent at the Brokaw Celebrate Freedom Day and Tai Chi classes at C-Tran’s Fisher’s Landing location. Seniors attended study tours to Yosemite, Eastern Washington and Baja California.

Clark College is affordable. Annual tuition and fees of $2,002 in the 2001-02 academic year provide a substantial savings for students when compared to the average of $3,498 at a four year public college or university in Washington.

A variety of financial aid provided assistance for 3,310 students in 2000-01. An average award of $2,670 helped pay tuition, books and basic living costs.

The College will model a spirit of collaboration in establishing and accomplishing community goals.

Clark Trustees met with School Board Directors from county K-12 districts to discuss ways in which the college and school districts could work together. Topics included ways to smooth transitions for students as they move through the educational system, the importance of effective advising, joint use of technology, articulation of the curriculum, and the impact of the implementation of the statewide Certificate of Mastery.

K-12 representatives commended the College for the excellent service that students receive from faculty and staff. College and high school counselors meet monthly to share information, and College publications are available in high school career centers. Pre-college age students visit the campus through programs such as Automotive Career Education Day, the Journalism Workshop, Exploring New Options Conference for Young Women, Professional-Technical Day, the “Math Counts” Competition, and Science Olympiad.

The number of high school students enrolling in the Running Start program continues to rise each year. Most are part-time students (over 90%) who continue to be active in their high school communities.

The Clark College-Washington State University Vancouver Center for Continuing Education, established in Fall 2000, utilizes resources from two highly successful institutions to provide lifelong learning opportunities for local residents. During the past year, 11,345 people enrolled in non-credit classes through the Center.

Fall 2000:

The citizens of Southwest Washington will enjoy opportunities for cultural, environmental, and social enrichment related to the process of life long learning.

Learning outside the traditional classroom setting—through the arts, athletics, and activities such as student government and clubs—is an important component of the Clark College experience.

The award-winning Clark Theatre program offers four productions each year, including a musical dinner theater and 20-30 performances of its Touring Children’s Theater. The Archer Art Gallery annually sponsors six gallery shows attended by between 5,000-6,000 viewers. The annual student spring show attracts both campus and community art lovers.

Intercollegiate and intramural athletic programs provided nearly 1,550 students the chance to develop skills in teamwork and leadership as well as improve individual abilities in their respective sports. The College sponsors competitive teams in Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Track, and Women’s Volleyball through the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges. Intramural sports activities include basketball, fencing, flag football, soccer, softball and volleyball.

Students may participate in one of several vocal and instrumental music ensembles including Orchestra, Concert Choir, Women’s Chorale, Vocal Jazz Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble and Pep Band. Music ensembles perform quarterly, and in recent years have performed in Mexico, Japan, Korea, China, and Canada. Many students gain their introduction to Clark’s music program by attending the annual Jazz Festival that draws jazz bands from over 85 Northwest high schools.

Campus clubs and activities enhance classroom studies. An active Association of Clark College Students supports 38 charter student clubs.

The College has embarked upon a three-phase planning process that responds to the extraordinary rate of population growth in Clark County and the corresponding increase in demand for education and training options. The first phase of the planning process is the completion of the Master Facilities Plan in June 2001. Phase 2, the Master Enrollment Plan, to be completed by early winter 2002, will establish enrollment targets in the areas of academic transfer, vocational training, and basic education. The Master Educational Programs and Services Plan—the heart of the institution—will focus on identification of programs and services to be offered within the parameters of the facilities and enrollment plans. Target for completion is Fall 2002.

The Master Facilities Plan (viewable on the College web site at www.clark.edu) reflects the Board of Trustees resolution that “The College is committed to maintaining the identity of the main campus while increasing levels of service to new populations through the development of off-campus satellite locations.” The vision expressed in the 2000-2010 Facilities Development Schedule appears below.