Board of Trustees names Dr. Karin Edwards to lead the college
Today Clark College marked a major milestone when its Board of Trustees announced its selection of Dr. Karin Edwards to be the college’s next president.
Dr. Edwards comes to Clark College with an impressive history of leadership, including her current position as Campus President of Portland Community College Cascade. (Full bio listed below.)
“Dr. Edwards is an incredible leader,” said Trustee Paul Speer. “Her ability to help close achievement gaps between student populations, her work in equity, her work in partnerships in workforce development, and her previous experience in a presidential role were certainly very influential in the board’s decision. When you look at her track record and at the information we gained during the course of this process, what you’ll find is an individual who is incredibly aligned with our stated values and the needs of our college over the coming decade.”
Today’s announcement is the culmination of a rigorous search process that began last summer following the retirement of President Bob Knight. Working with a national search firm, the Board of Trustees was able to attract 65 applicants from across the country who were reviewed by a Search Advisory Committee composed of college employees, community members, and other key stakeholders. The committee narrowed the field down to a limited number of finalists. Three finalists visited the college for interviews and open forums, and trustees visited their respective campuses as well.
The Board of Trustees made the final selection based on the position profile, personal interviews, and a review of the data and recommendations gathered from the committee and from student and community forums held with each candidate on the Clark College campus. More information about the search process is available on the college’s Presidential Search web pages.
“Clark College Foundation has assisted Clark College with philanthropy for nearly five decades, helping the college align with the needs of Southwest Washington’s businesses and organizations while making college possible for those who face barriers to higher education,” said Eric Merrill, chair of Clark College Foundation’s Board of Directors. “We are committed to working with the new president and introducing her to vital community partners in order to sustain Clark College’s future.”
Dr. Edwards will be the college’s 15th leader in its 87-year history.
Dr. Edwards says she is excited to step into her new role, the exact date of which is still being determined along with other hiring details. “I have a full heart today, she said. “I’m excited to begin a new chapter as President of Clark College and grateful to everyone at Portland Community College who has walked with me these past six years. We have a great deal to be proud of, developing programs and support services that help our students succeed.”
Dr. Sandra Fowler-Hill, who has served as Interim President during the 2019-2020 academic year as the college conducted the presidential search, said she will continue in her current role until Dr. Edwards is able to join the college in summer 2020 and will help with the onboarding process.
About Dr. KarinEdwards
Dr. KarinEdwards’ 36-year career at community colleges spans roles from AdmissionsCounselor to Campus President. Since July 2014, she has served as president ofPortland Community College’s Cascade Campus. In that role, her responsibilitiesat PCC Cascade include supervising the advanced manufacturing programs at PCC’sSwan Island Trades Center, a 20,000-square-foot facility housing the college’sApprenticeship and Trades department, as well as PCC’s Maritime WeldingTraining Center at Swan Island, which trains welding students and has MOAs withVigor Industrial.
Her communityservice includes serving on the board of directors of Portland CommunityReinvestment Initiatives and on the advisory board of the Oregon Association ofMinority Entrepreneurs, as well as being an active member of the Partners inDiversity Leadership Council and the Oregon Presidents Council of the OregonCommunity College Association.
Dr. Edwardsearned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and her master’s degree in HigherEducation Administration at State University of New York at Albany, and herdoctorate degree in Educational Leadership at Johnson and Wales University inProvidence, Rhode Island.
About Clark College
Locatedin Vancouver’s Central Park and serving up to 11,500 students per quarter,Clark College is Southwest Washington’s oldest public institution of highereducation. The college currently offers classes at two satellite locations: oneon the Washington State University Vancouver campus and one in the ColumbiaTech Center in East Vancouver.
