Clark College announces honor students on All-Washington Academic Team

For Immediate Release
April 10, 2024

Four Clark College scholars to be recognized at state ceremony

VANCOUVER, Wash. — Four honor students will represent Clark College at the 27th annual All-Washington Academic Team ceremony on April 25 at South Puget Sound Community College in Lacey. The annual event recognizes students from Washington State for their academic excellence and community service. The All-Washington Academic Team is a program of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for two-year colleges.

These Clark students are among 92 PTK honor students from across the state named to the All-Washington Academic Team. They are pursuing transfer and workforce pathways at Washington’s 34 community and technical colleges.

The ceremony will be livestreamed at 12:30 p.m. on April 25 on the SPSCC YouTube channel. The keynote speaker is Governor Jay Inslee.

Each student will receive a medal and a $250 scholarship from Key Bank. They also are eligible for additional scholarships from private sponsors and transfer scholarships for four-year colleges and universities.

The four Clark College scholars are Alexander Cole, Addison Johnson, Ethan Mahan and Lisa Segretto.

Alexander D. Cole

Alexander D. Cole did not attend school until he was 15 years old. With determination, he taught himself to read and write, and graduated from high school. While learning to repair his car, he found his future career. Alexander is enrolled in the T-TEN automotive technician program at Clark College and is apprenticing at a local Toyota dealership garage. After he earns an associate of applied technology degree in June 2025, he will be a full-time repair technician at the same dealership. His dream career is to work on vehicles for Toyota.

Addison Johnson

Addison Johnson’s mother and grandmother encouraged her to work passionately toward her goals. The Running Start student will earn her diploma from Camas High School and her associate degree from Clark College in June. She plans to transfer to Oregon State University to earn a baccalaureate degree in bioengineering. Next, she plans to pursue medical school and a career as an orthopedic surgeon.

Ethan Mahan

Ethan Mahan's high school teacher inspired him to pursue a career in healthcare. Ethan will earn an associate in applied technology degree in Medical Assisting with an additional certification in Phlebotomy from Clark College in August 2024. He plans to work as a medical assistant, gain healthcare experience, and eventually, continue his education to become a physician's assistant. It has been challenging balancing work, assignments, and a phlebotomy internship, but worth it as he prepares to begin his career.

Lisa Segretto

After breaking free from generational cycles of abuse and neglect, Lisa Segretto was inspired by her daughter to seek therapy and attend college. She’s graduating from Clark with a 4.0 and her associate degree and plans to attend either Portland State University or Washington State University to pursue a Bachelor of Psychology. She dreams of earning her Master of Clinical Psychology and Doctor of Psychiatry, eventually opening a mental health practice for children and adults who have experienced childhood trauma.

About All-Washington Academic Team Program

The All-Washington Academic Team is a program of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges. Sponsors of the All-Washington Academic Team program are Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges, Washington State Association of College Trustees, Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of two-year colleges.

Scholarship sponsors are Key Bank ($250 awarded to every member); Washington State Employees Credit Union ($750 awarded to the top 16 members); and Washington State Association of College Trustees ($1,000 awarded to the top three team members).

About Clark College

Founded in 1933 and celebrating its 90th year, Clark College provides residents of Southwest Washington with affordable, high-quality academic and technical education. It is a public community college offering more than 100 degree and certificate programs, including bachelor’s and associate degrees; professional certificates; high school diplomas and GED preparation; and non-credit community and continuing education. Clark serves a wide range of students including high school students, displaced workers, veterans, parents, non-native English speakers, and mature learners. Approximately 45% of its students are in the first generation of their families to attend college.

####

For additional information (media inquiries & photo requests):
Susan Parrish, Clark College Communications & Marketing
T: 360-992-2921 E: sjparrish@clark.edu