Clark College Innovation Fund 2025 Recipients

Covering Tuition for College 101

Starting college can be tough, and some students need extra support to complete their studies. That’s why the Innovation Fund is stepping up to cover $6,734 worth of tuition and fees for College 101 for students who might need additional support in adjusting to college life, after their first term.

College 101 helps students build key skills like academic planning, financial literacy, communication skills, and more—all while connecting them to the resources they need to succeed at Clark College.

Paid On-Campus Internships for Students

Hands-on experience is key to supporting students at Clark, and thanks to a $12,000 grant from the Innovation Fund, Clark College is expanding paid on-campus internships for students in the BAS in Human Services (BASHS) and Addiction Counseling Education (ACED) programs!

Modeled after the successful Social Work Internship Program, this initiative will place students in Student Affairs departments, the Penguin Early College Center, and the Veteran’s Center of Excellence, working alongside Portland State University’s MSW interns.

EMDR Therapy Kits to Support Students

Healing from trauma takes the right tools—and Clark College’s Counseling & Health Center is taking a big step forward with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.

Thanks to a $3,654 grant from the Innovation Fund, Clark is equipping tenured faculty counselors with EMDR therapy kits to provide evidence-based trauma treatment for students struggling with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and more.

EMDR is a proven, research-backed therapy that helps people reprocess distressing memories and move toward healing.

Mt. St. Helens Ice Cave Antibiotics Research

Undergraduate research is a game-changer—especially for underrepresented students. But did you know it’s rarely available at community colleges? Thanks to a $23,000 grant from the Innovation Fund, Clark College is breaking that trend!

This year, students in BIOL 105 & BIOL 106 will analyze samples from Mt. St. Helens ice caves as part of their antibiotics research. Plus, BIOL 260 (Microbiology) will explore ice cave microorganisms, bringing real-world discovery into the classroom.

Chemistry for Public and Planetary Health – Redesigning CHEM& 121/CHEM& 131 workbooks to connect chemistry concepts with public health and climate change, ensuring future nurses are equipped to handle the evolving challenges of healthcare and environmental sustainability.

ReTails Partnership Donation – Partnering with ReTails to provide students in need with vouchers for clothing, ensuring they can shop for styles that fit their personal expression, promoting self-confidence and dignity.

Active Learning Project Bank – Developing a bank of interactive projects for MATH 146 (Introduction to Statistics) to bolster traditional lectures with engaging, hands-on learning experiences.

Scholarship for Return to College Students – Exploring the impact of a new scholarship for students who have returned after an academic break and achieved success, recognizing their resilience and encouraging retention.

Video Archive Digitization Project – Researching the cost and process of preserving and digitizing decades of analog recordings from student productions, guest lectures, and campus events, ensuring our college’s history remains accessible for generations.

Since Time Immemorial (STI) Curriculum Development – Partnering with the Cowlitz Tribe to integrate Indigenous history and knowledge into Clark’s Bachelor’s in Teacher Education program, ensuring future educators are prepared to teach inclusive, culturally responsive lessons.