2026 Clark Employee Awards

Opening Day celebration recognizes this year’s employee award recipients

By Malena Goerl
Employees sit in a row of chairs cheering as Sarah smiles while standing up Pictured: Sarah Gruhler stands to accept her award as her team cheers her on.
 

The Clark community celebrated the start of the academic year at the college’s annual Opening Day celebration on September 14. During the event, staff and faculty members were recognized for their years of service and exceptional accomplishments.  

Congratulations to this year’s award recipients! 

Exceptional Faculty Awards

Exceptional Faculty award winners stand holding their awards
Pictured (L to R): Jim Wilkins-Luton, Cydney Topping, Don Ludwig, Mackenzie Loyet, Bruce Elgort, Ariel Albright
 

The Clark College Exceptional Faculty Awards are presented annually to full-time and part-time faculty members in recognition of exemplary work performance, positive impact on students, professional commitment, and notable contributions to the college. Nominations can be submitted by anyone in the Clark community, with students particularly encouraged to submit. 

Look for 24/7 story features on each exceptional faculty winner throughout the fall term. 

Ariel Albright, Communications

Ariel knows firsthand that finding your path as a student can take time. After leaving high school unsure of what she wanted, she found her footing at a community college, and discovered a lifelong love of learning and finding your people. Today, she brings that understanding to her students at Clark, creating a classroom where students with all levels can pursue their passions. Her students share that Ariel is engaging. Passionate. Knowledgeable. And has a rare ability to balance warmth with high expectations. In addition to teaching communication courses, Ariel has revived Clark’s Speech and Debate team, helping students develop the confidence and critical-thinking skills that come from finding their voice. 

Bruce Elgort, Computer Technology

To Bruce, the classroom is a portal to the real world, and he brings that philosophy to life in memorable ways. His classes feature coding, critical thinking, Lego challenges, and of course, the famous rubber ducks. Behind it all is a professor committed to helping his students learn how to solve problems for themselves. Bruce doesn’t simply give students the answers; he guides them to discover solutions. He encourages them to experiment, ask insightful questions, and push themselves to go beyond what’s required. He found himself at Clark after retiring from a successful career in technology, and now, 14 years later, is still impacting students’ lives long after they leave the classroom. 

Mackenzie Loyet, Biology

Mackenzie’s path to biology began with a fascination with the natural world and the complexity of the human body. Since joining Clark in 2021, she has brought that passion for anatomy into a classroom where rigor and compassion go hand in hand. Her students describe her as approachable and deeply committed to their success. Through extra lab sessions, thoughtful course design, and answering countless questions, she helps students make sense of this challenging subject. Students also note that Mackenzie encourages them to give themselves room to grow, reminding them that their paths don’t have to be linear. 

Don Ludwig, Sociology and Criminal Justice

Don brings enthusiasm and a genuine love of learning to his classroom. He encourages students to look beyond their own experiences, engage with different perspectives, and make connections between what they’re learning and the world around them. His students describe him as compassionate, someone who pushes them outside their comfort zones while making them feel supported along the way. Don is also a leader outside of the classroom, one who is collaborative, and always willing to share his time and expertise. After nearly two decades at Clark, he says he feels lucky to have found a place where his education, experiences, and passions all come together — and we are equally lucky to have him here. 

Brenda Rosencrans, Mathematics

For Brenda, math has always been a puzzle — one that she loves helping others solve, too. Her career began as a high school math teacher and grew from a passion for understanding not just how math works, but why. Her students at Clark appreciate that curiosity, especially the ones who arrive convinced they’re “not math people”. In her nomination, students emphasize Brenda’s patience and her endless willingness to help. Her goal is bigger than teaching formulas. She wants students to see themselves as capable mathematicians who can ask questions and make sense of the world around them. 

Cydney Topping, English

Cydney’s teaching begins with the question: how do I bring joy into the classroom? She encourages her students to lean into creativity — to try something new, to make mistakes. Her students say she makes them feel capable, accepted, and inspired, and her nominations highlight the intentional ways she fosters equity and inclusion every day. While she didn’t always know where her own path would lead, Cydney learned to say yes to every opportunity. She cultivates that same curiosity in her students, reminding them that sometimes, the best paths are the ones we don’t plan. 

Jim Wilkins-Luton, English

From instructor to Dean to interim Vice President of Instruction, Jim has stepped into many important roles at Clark College over the past 25 years. And whether he’s teaching online or in person, or collaborating with colleagues in the English department, he makes a point of being present and responsive. He meets students where they are, encouraging them to bring their authentic voices into their writing. Students appreciate his thoughtful and respectful feedback, saying that he creates a classroom where they feel valued. He reminds them that education isn’t about perfection, but about doing the work and never giving up.

Exceptional Administrative-Exempt Award

The Clark College Exceptional Administrative-Exempt Award honors an exempt staff member who contributes in significant ways toward building a positive climate, an inclusive environment, and improving the quality of life at Clark. The winner was presented with an award and a cash prize at the event. 

This year’s nominees were: 

Congratulations to this year’s honoree:

Sarah Gruhler, Student Life

Dr. Edwards hands Sarah Gruhler her award
Pictured (L to R): Dr. Edwards and Sarah Gruhler
 

Sarah has earned the trust of students and colleagues by approaching every challenge with compassion and an unwavering commitment to equity and inclusion. Described as an exceptional problem solver, she finds innovative ways to balance operational needs with human-centered care. Whether navigating a complex situation, helping a program move forward, or supporting a colleague through a difficult moment, she makes those around her feel valued and supported. Her leadership strengthens Clark College, not only making it a better workplace, but an environment where people feel like they truly belong.

Exceptional Classified Staff Awards

Clark College recognized its many outstanding classified staff through two award programs: the Quarterly Classified Staff Excellence Award and the Annual Exceptional Classified Staff Award. Each quarterly winner is nominated for the annual award, which is presented at the Opening Day ceremony. Thanks to the generous support of the Clark College Foundation, recipients also receive cash awards. 

This year’s nominees were: 

Congratulations to this year’s two winners: 

Lindsey McKim, Security & Safety Services 

Lindsey McKim holds her award next to Dr. Edwards
Pictured (L to R): Lindsey McKim and Dr. Edwards
 

Lindsey has transformed the way Clark prepares for the unexpected. She’s brought structure and a proactive approach to a program that touches every corner of our campuses. She has strengthened emergency communications, expanded training, improved campus safety infrastructure, and brought Clark’s procedures in line with regional best practices. But Lindsey’s work goes beyond preparedness. She considers who might be left out, ensuring that emergency information is accessible, understandable, and inclusive for everyone in our community. She also brings people into the process, listening to feedback and building partnerships. Through her leadership, Lindsey has built a stronger, safer, and more prepared Clark. 

Read more about Lindsey in her spotlight article. 

Michelle Mussen, Enrollment Services 

When things get busy, complicated, or challenging, Michelle’s colleagues know that they can turn to her. Michelle’s years of expertise, remarkable organization, and willingness to step in whenever she is needed make her an invaluable member of the Clark community. She navigates complex regulations, helps students through challenging circumstances, and continually finds ways to make processes more efficient and equitable. Colleagues describe Michelle as the glue that keeps her team together — because of her, they stay organized, positive, and keep moving forward. But what makes her truly exceptional is the care she brings to all of it. She balances expertise with empathy, always advocating for students while supporting the people around her. 

Read more about Michelle in her spotlight article.

Lora Whitfield Social Equity Award

Lora Whitfield was an Early Childhood Education professor at Clark College who cared deeply about this community. She was committed to the success of her fellow employees and the students she served. As a tenured professor, she promoted equity and inclusion, creating a culture of community for all. Clark’s Office of People and Culture, alongside the Social Equity Advisory Council, reviews the nominations for this award and makes a recommendation based on a Clark employee’s demonstrated and sustained commitment to advancing equity. The winner receives $1,000 and a plaque in honor of Lora Whitfield, sponsored by the Clark College Foundation. 

This year’s nominees were: 

Congratulations to this year’s winner: 

Ashley Davis, Disability Access Center 

Ashley Davis holds her award with Dr. Edwards
Pictured (L to R): Ashley Davis and Dr. Edwards
 

Ashley is equity-minded and genuinely cares for each student. Every term, she advocates for hundreds of students’ rights to equal access and accessibility, helping them navigate disability barriers and appropriate accommodations. Ashley actively listens, inspiring students to stay solutions-orientated and hopeful. In addition to leading DAC's peer mentor program, she also led the establishment of "Body Doubling" for neurodiverse students, which provides guidance in learning and doing homework in a shared, neurodiverse-friendly environment. Ashley also ensures that all her colleagues are being treated equitably, and advocates on their behalf when needed. Outside of Clark, Ashley mentors youth in the community and supports them with their educational and career goals. She is a true guiding light for our students and young people in the community. 

Years of Service Awards

Staff and faculty members who have completed five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years of service were recognized for their commitment to the college and our students. We are able to honor years of service to Clark College thanks to a donor through the Clark College Foundation, and those who celebrated 25 or more years were awarded a Years of Service plaque. 

5 Years 

10 Years

15 Years

20 Years

25 Years

25-year employees stand holding their awards
Pictured (L to R): Lucy Shao, Chris Concannon, Adnan Hamideh, Joanne Savage, and Deborah DeChaine
 

30 Years

30-year employees stand holding their awards
Pictured (L to R):  Terri Kaufman, Nicholas Forrest, Sally Keely, and Heidi Eckman
 

35 Years

Relive the Excitement of Opening Day

Read more about the Opening Day celebration and see all photos from the event on Clark's flickr. 

 

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley 

Story by Malena Goerl, Staff Writer, Communications and Marketing