February 11, 2008 For Immediate Release For additional information:  Barbara Kerr, Executive Director of Communications and Marketing Telephone: 360-992-2921 E-mail:  bkerr@clark.edu

CLARK COLLEGE STEPS UP TO SUPPORT
WORKFORCE EDUCATION

A name change and a new reporting structure are among the changes
 that will help the college better serve the regional business community

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- To stay competitive, business leaders know that they have to streamline systems, eliminate duplication and make the best possible use of their resources.  To better support workforce education in Southwest Washington, Clark College is doing just that.

The changes began during the summer of 2007 when the college’s Workforce Development unit became part of the college’s office of Instruction.  Following recommendations from a college taskforce, new changes have been announced.

The name of the unit is being changed from “Workforce Development” to “Workforce Education.”  Clark College President Robert K. Knight said, “We think that workforce education better defines our role in helping workers learn the skills they need to get and keep jobs and advance in their careers.”

In addition, the college is restructuring three positions in the office of Instruction and the former Workforce Development Unit.  The new positions are: 

• Dean of Instructional Planning and Operations – Responsible for oversight of program quality, budget and operational planning, and other initiatives as assigned. Responsibilities include providing leadership for advisory committees, faculty vocational certification, and the college’s instructional plan. Dr. Sylvia Thornburg is currently serving in this role in an interim capacity.
• Director of Instructional Programming and Innovation – Responsible for oversight of instructional facilities/operations, innovation, and student success. Responsibilities include serving as primary contact for programs at Clark College at WSU Vancouver, Clark College at Town Plaza, Clark College at Columbia Tech Center (now under construction), Larch Corrections Center and other satellite sites, as well as partnering with high schools and four-year institutions and developing and implementing new and innovative programs. George Reese is serving in this role. 
• Director of Workforce Education and Economic Development – Responsible for oversight of grants and allocations, relationships and partnerships, marketing and promotion, and student success and accountability. Responsibilities include management of Perkins, WorkFirst, Worker Retraining, and Opportunity grants. Joe Renouard is currently serving in this role in an interim capacity.

The college is conducting nationwide searches for the Dean of Instructional Planning and Operations and Director of Workforce Education and Economic Development positions. 

Knight noted, “I firmly believe that these changes will help us better utilize our resources and, most of all, better serve the needs of our students and the community.”

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