Clark College statistics
o 73 percent of students are first-generation college students.
o 54 percent of students are low-income students.
Clark College Career Pathways
o Provides computer literacy and job skills to move people from poverty to self-sufficiency through education and employment.
o Cost: Free.
o Contact: Tiffany Williams, 360-992-2758 or twilliams@clark.edu.
o Web: www.clark.edu/academics/basic_education/pathways.php.
o View the current Pathways Center workshop calendar at www.clark.edu/academics/basic_education/documents/pathways-calendar.pdf.
Three years ago, Chris MacMillan was working as a jack-of-all-trades in a coffee business, roasting beans, building coffee stands and setting up for events. But then the business sold, and he was laid off.
MacMillan has weathered a few storms in his 44 years. He didn’t finish high school but earned his GED many years ago. Now at midlife, he was unemployed and had four children at home who depended on him and his paycheck. He realized he needed more training to secure a family-wage job to provide for his children, now ranging from 13 to 18.
He found the answer in Clark College’s diesel technology program. MacMillan will earn his associate degree in diesel technologies in December. He works part time in Clark’s diesel program, assisting students, answering questions and ensuring safety protocol is followed.
“The diesel industry is huge,” MacMillan said: “engines, hydraulics, brakes, suspension, heavy equipment, small equipment.”
He’s become proficient in diesel technology.
However, although his family has a computer at home, MacMillan said, his computer skills are not proficient, but basic: checking email, surfing the Internet.
To increase his computer literacy and become more employable, he began taking free workshops in the Career Pathways program at Clark College. On Thursday, he was one of 18 students ranging in age from 17 to 40-something sitting in a computer lab and learning to navigate gmail. Upcoming workshops will teach creating QR codes, building websites and more.
“I’m trying to take as many of these classes as possible,” said MacMillan, a first-generation college student.
MacMillan’s story is not uncommon at Clark College, where 73 percent of the students are first-generation college students.
Clark College Foundation recently received a $25,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington for a program targeted at breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty through its WorkFirst and Career Pathways program.
The program’s goal is to move participants from poverty to self-sufficiency through education and employment. It provides tools and skills to be employable in today’s job market.
The Community Foundation grant will provide funding for information technology support, staff training and hiring Clark students as technology coaches to help students in the Career Pathways program. It also will be used to purchase computer docking stations, laptops, tablets and other hardware, said Deena Godwin, interim dean of basic education, English, communications and humanities.
“We want to hire more student tech coaches to coach students on using technology,” Godwin said.
Many first-generation college students don’t have a person who can help them understand social and educational norms or even navigate today’s tech literacy environment, said Tiffany Williams, Clark’s Workforce Pathways program manager.
Standing at the front of the classroom, Leslie Mohlman is such a guide. She helps students learn the basics of setting up a gmail account and sending emails. She’s one of two student success navigators recently hired for Clark’s transitional students including MacMillan, who have not earned a traditional high school diploma.
Sitting in the second row, MacMillan paid close attention and followed Mohlman’s steps.
“It’s been a fun journey,” he said.
