Creating Belonging Together

Regional high schoolers build confidence and explore college opportunities at annual Discovering College Confidence event

By Malena Goerl

Bruce Myers standing on on the Gaiser Hall stage at Discovering College Confidence event

Student voices chatted excitedly as they moved through the Student Center, introducing themselves and asking questions during an icebreaker BINGO game. Already, they were setting the stage for the sense of community and support that would be highlighted throughout the day.  

More than 200 students from across 11 high schools had gathered on March 10 for “Discovering College Confidence,” an annual event that helps students of all backgrounds explore postsecondary options, build confidence, and see themselves belonging on a college campus. This year’s theme was Creating Belonging Together, which centered on student connection and self-advocacy. 

Students were energized and engaged during a variety of workshops that addressed top-of-mind topics, such as how to navigate financial aid, manage stress, and choose a career. During the lunch break, they were also invited to explore the resource fair in Gaiser Hall, where they could connect with representatives from groups like MESA and ASCC, and gain valuable resources from departments like WES, Financial Aid, and Career Services. 

April Pereira from the Office of People and Culture kicked off the keynote event with a warm welcome that reinforced the day’s theme.  

“We believe that when you have access to support and community, incredible things can happen,” she shared. 

Returning to the Clark campus as the keynote speaker was Bruce Myers, an appellate public defender with the Oregon Public Defense Commission. He studied at Clark College to pursue a career as a paralegal, then transferred to Washington State University and earned a law degree from Lewis & Clark Law School.  

Bruce's story of perseverance as a first-generation student immediately captured the audience’s attention. He started by highlighting the impact teachers had on him, both positive and negative. When one high school teacher suggested he wouldn’t amount to anything because he wasn’t excelling in math, Bruce doubted he should even try to pursue college. 

Still, he persisted and enrolled at Clark College. He still struggled with math — his placement test landed him in the most introductory math class Clark offered, and he even had to retake a class. But his experiences at Clark gave him the confidence he needed to overcome barriers. 

That lesson continued to be valuable as he struggled with imposter syndrome in law school. It was through a mentorship by Justice Adrienne Nelson of the Oregon Supreme Court — the first Black person to sit on Oregon’s Supreme Court, and now the first Black woman to sit on the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon — that Bruce regained the confidence he had built while at Clark. 

“I got here because of what I went through, not in spite of it,” Bruce said. “True confidence comes when you face and overcome adversity.” 

He ended his speech with a message of support. “You, too, can do something bigger than you ever expected,” he shared with the students. “Your diversity and lived experiences are why you’re at the table. You belong. You deserve to be in these spaces.” 

About Discovering College Confidence

As part of Clark College’s Welcome Center Events, Discovering College Confidence is an annual Clark event designed to empower high school students — particularly BIPOC students — to pursue higher education. It features workshops on admissions, financial aid, and campus tours, helping students build academic confidence and explore career paths 

Purpose: To empower student voices, increase confidence, and ease the transition to college. 

Keynote Speakers: Past events have featured inspiring stories from Clark College alumni. 

Activities: Interactive workshops, campus tours, and a resource fair with faculty and staff. 

Contact: Schools can contact the Welcome Center at start@clark.edu to learn about future events, inquire about campus tours, and how to get started at Clark College.   

Photos: Clark College/Malena Goerl

Story by Malena Goerl, Staff Writer, Communications and Marketing