Although Professor Debi Jenkins (center) teaches psychology and child development to adults in the classroom and online, she likes to spend time with youngsters in the early childhood education "lab" school. Four-year old Mia (right) shows off her reading skills while classmate Abby (left) snuggles in to listen.Debi Jenkins (left) and her daughter, Christina, were both students in the Early Childhood Education program 20 years ago in 1989.From Student to Professor

How early childhood education made a career choice difference.

Debi Jenkins discovered her love for early childhood education and human development at Clark College. She graduated with honors in 1993. "What I saw in Debi as a student was a real desire for learning and challenge," said Dr. Kathy Bobula, a professor of early childhood education and psychology at Clark since 1982. "She was devoted to young children and to teaching." With encouragement from Bobula, Jenkins went on to earn bachelor's and master's degrees in human development.

Currently a professor at Clark, Jenkins has served as the Early Childhood Education (ECE) department chair. "Debi brings to the field deep knowledge of the latest theories and research in human development," said Bobula. In 2009, Jenkins was named a Woman of Achievement in recognition of her involvement and leadership in Southwest Washington.

Clark's ECE program is built on the premise that the foundation for lifetime success is established in the first five years. Comprehensive early childhood education increases self worth, supports problem solving, encourages creativity, and fosters learning.

Debi entrusted her own four children to the ECE program. "The teachers noticed that my daughter, Christina, enjoyed playing dress-up," she reminisced. "They gave her fabric pieces and wallpaper books for exploring colors and patterns." Today, Christina is pursuing a career in the fashion industry.

Educating children is one facet of the three-prong approach in ECE. The other two components focus on parent/family training and educating the teachers who work with children and parents. Clark College has a strong reputation in the Northwest for pace setting curriculum and practices.

As Debi discovered at the beginning of her student journey, the field of early childhood education is vast and complex. Although she has taught at other colleges, the opportunities at Clark are endless and rewarding. "I believe in the whole Clark college picture - that we're a college for anyone and every age," said Jenkins. "It's just different here."

Students in Clark College's anatomy and physiology class have a lively discussion about the human body. Pictured (left to right) are Shelly Luciano, Samantha Shipman, Brian Raby, Hillary Garner, Erin Sanger, and Eileen Durham.This year, many students who are entering healthcare fields will study with Professor Mark Bolke, who served on the national board for the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society.When Learning Comes Alive

Cadaver lab takes health sciences education to new levels.

Anatomy and physiology are required components of the pre-health science curriculum. Most community colleges provide models for students to examine. At Clark College, a cadaver lab provides an unparalleled alternative for experiential learning of the human body.

"Anatomy is a three-dimensional science," said Professor Mark Bolke while overseeing students during a lab session. "For students who are studying to become healthcare providers, they can see, understand, and learn the human body beyond the textbook. This is essential to their academic performance."

Steven Sappington believes that working with cadavers as a student in the anatomy and physiology class prepared him for the rigors of the Nursing program. While theory imparts the fundamental comprehension of the human body, "the cadaver work enhanced my knowledge of disease processes and their impact on organs," he explained. "It gave me a deeper level of perspective, which makes all the difference in how I care for my patients today."

Since longer life expectancy is contributing to an increasingly older population, and many healthcare providers are retiring, the demand for healthcare professionals is rising around the country. The Southwest Washington community is turning to Clark College for solutions.

Dr. Sylvia Thornburg, dean of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) unit, foresees a higher number of students attending Clark to pursue a healthcare career. In conjunction with plans to break ground in 2011 for a new STEM building at Clark College, Thornburg noted that, "to accommodate additional students, we plan to relocate the cadaver lab to this facility."

Although state funds cover facility costs, equipment and furnishings will have to be acquired through private support. "With the imperative need in Southwest Washington for more healthcare providers, we hope that the community will support the college's plans for the new STEM building," said Thornburg. "At some point, we will all be beneficiaries of it."

Enrichment classes are popular with the baby boomer generation. Nona Schuerer (right) demonstrates watercolor painting to Joyce Thompson at the Columbia Tech Center open house on August 29. (photo by Shelley Marrs)At the cooking and wine school, Betty Walberg (center) demonstrates knife skills in the state-of-the-art instruction kitchen at the Clark College Columbia Tech Center Campus. (photo by Jenny Shadley)Life on their Own Terms

Nationally recognized program leads to a generational reinvention.

Every year at Clark College, about 2,500 individuals age 50 and older engage in learning opportunities for a variety of interests including cooking, Qi Gong, and computers. Barbara Saur, a 20-year participant in the Mature Learning program says the program is "a service that few communities have, but one that we all need."

"Baby boomers dread the 'R' word and they're not fond of the 'S' word either," said Tracy Reilly-Kelly, Clark College's continuing education program manager. "To be a retired senior doesn't fit their vision of themselves. This is a generation that wants to define life after 50 on their own terms."

Dr. Alfred Apsler founded the Focus on Mature Learning program at Clark College in 1971 after retiring as an instructor of history and social science. For nearly 40 years, the college has been providing innovative programming for mature learners.

Because of its stellar record, the American Association of Community Colleges recently selected Clark as one of five mentor colleges in the nation to receive the $70,000 Plus 50 Initiative grant. "This grant poises us to offer skill-based training for second careers in addition to the enrichment classes," said Reilly-Kelly.

Today, many of the participants turn to Clark College while transitioning to new chapters in life. One student shared that she began taking classes shortly after her husband passed away. "More than anything, participating in the classes was like therapy for me." She didn't expect it to become such an important and enjoyable part of her life. "The people who I have met through the program have become such dear friends."

"As we enter our later years, it's vital to keep our minds and bodies active," adds Saur. "I would be lost without this program"

The Plus 50 Initiative grant provides funding for expanded programming, but the Mature Learning program relies on volunteers and private gifts to keep class costs affordable-especially for individuals on a fixed income. Contact the Clark College Foundation office at 360.992.2301 if you would like to support this important Clark College program.

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