News Releases

April 13, 2012
For Immediate Release
For additional information: 
Barbara Kerr, APR
Executive Director of Communications and Marketing
Telephone: 360-992-2921
Email: bkerr@clark.edu

From first-generation college graduate to Vice President of Instruction 

Dr. Tim Cook is the new Vice President of Instruction
at Clark College

VANCOUVER, Wash. — Dr. Tim Cook, a first-generation college graduate, is the new Vice President of Instruction at Clark College.  He was selected following a nationwide search.

Cook joined Clark College in 1997 as a faculty counselor and since 2000 served as Counseling Department Head and Division Chair of Behavioral Sciences. Cook served as Acting Dean of Student Success and Retention in 2006-2007 and was co-leader of the college’s successful accreditation self-study process in 2008.  He had been serving as interim vice president since June 2011.

As Vice President, Cook sees his role as bringing together faculty and staff to offer the best educational experience possible for students. He plans to “work hard to build relationships throughout the college with the goal of creating an environment that is civil, intellectually challenging and ultimately personally enriching for the college community.” Cook also sees the importance of “partnerships with K-12 educational systems, WSU Vancouver, and the business community as key to the long-term health of Clark College and Southwest Washington.” 

Throughout his career, Cook has worked to support student success. He said, “It is through meaningful relationships that we are able to improve the lives of students in our region.  Clark College is a great place to work due to the dedication of faculty and staff members. This environment makes it possible to continually enhance programs and serve the best interests of our students.” 

Clark College President Robert K. Knight said, “Throughout our search process, Tim was praised for his broad knowledge of Clark College and the leadership he has demonstrated in all of his roles at the college, including interim Vice President of Instruction.  Tim has always been respectful of others while seeking creative solutions to challenging issues. I know that his leadership will benefit our students and our college for years to come.”

Welcoming between 15,000 and 16,000 students each quarter, Clark College is the second largest community college in Washington state.

About Dr. Tim Cook

Dr. Tim Cook has worked in higher education for 20 years, serving in community colleges during the past 15 years. He began his career as a student at Western Oregon State College where he was involved in Residence Life and Student Government, including serving as President of the Student Body.   After earning a bachelor’s degree in English at Western Oregon State College, Cook worked in Residence Life at a small liberal arts college outside of Chicago, IL.

Returning to the Pacific Northwest, he accepted a position at Lewis & Clark College where he managed Residence Halls and provided Career Counseling while completing his M.A. in Counseling Psychology. He then worked in the Advising and Counseling Center at Mt. Hood Community College before joining Clark College.

In 2005, Cook completed his doctorate in higher education leadership, with an emphasis on community college leadership, at Oregon State University.  His dissertation research involved the experiences of single fathers attending community college, at the time a largely understudied and underserved population. During that time, he also completed a year-long internship with the Clark College Foundation.

Dr. Tim Cook has been married for nearly 18 years to Paddy Cook, a kindergarten teacher.  They have three children: a 14-year-old daughter and two boys, ages 12 and 9.

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