Guided Pathways
We're on a Journey to Transform
Guided Pathways schools are redesigning to make academic-to-career pathways clear for students. It can be challenging for a new student to translate their interests into a career and understand their academic pathway to success. So far, Clark has organized academic choices into six areas of study, or industry clusters, created student-facing program maps for each of Clark’s 100+ degree and certificates and added employment data to each of the program pages.
Guided Pathways also examines the barriers to success that exist for our students. This college-wide effort seeks to locate and close equity gaps through research, quantitative and qualitative data, and pilot programs that test new policy and procedures for the college. Guided Pathways schools embrace a mindset shift from expecting students to be “college ready” to becoming a college that is “student ready.” At its core, Guided Pathways is aimed at creating structures that lead to student success outcomes including robust learning and opportunities for economic mobility.
Learn more about Clark College's Guided Pathway Work. Video created by the Clark College Foundation.
Washington State Community and Technical Colleges (WSCTC) is a leader in Guided Pathways reforms.
Our Guided Pathway Vision
Clark College, in partnership with AACC, CCRC, and SBCTC Guided Pathways frameworks, has aligned our work and vision with a four pillar structure and the state's five guiding principles:
Clark College's Guided Pathways Leadership Team:
Dr. William, "Terry" Brown, Vice President of Instruction
Dr. Mark Wahlers, Interim Vice President of Student Affairs
Vanessa C.K. Neal, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Rhianna Johnson, Director of Guided Pathways and Partnerships
The SBCTC's five Guided Pathways principles:
Principle #1 - Changeable
Guided Pathways requires urgent, radical, equity-minded, transformational organizational change.
Principle #2 Responsive
Guided Pathways requires a culturally responsive commitment to racial and social equity by dismantling systemic policies and practices that perpetuate inequities.
Principle #3 Inclusive
The voices of students, faculty, staff and community members are essential to fully engage in adaptive problem focused inquiry processes leading to meaningful action and sustained systemic change.
Principle #4 Collaborative
Guided Pathways requires intentional collaborative learning through partnerships, professional and resource development.
Principle #5 Aligned
Guided Pathways requires a focus on learning and outcomes aligned with community values and industry needs.