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Event signals construction completion of first building on college’s Ridgefield campus

Ridgefield, Wash. – On November 19, leading developer and design-builder Mortenson officially presented Clark College with the keys to the Advanced Manufacturing Center, the first building on the college’s Ridgefield campus, located at 7000 East Pioneer Street.

During the ceremony, nearly 100 attendees including the college mascot, Oswald the Penguin, looked on as Carolyn Sizemore, market director of Mortenson, and design-build partner, Kyle Womack, principal of Hennebery Eddy Architects, presented the symbolic key to Dr. Karin Edwards and Sabra Sand, the Clark College president and vice president of operations, respectively. The ceremony marked construction completion of the Advanced Manufacturing Center at Clark College.

“This milestone marks an incredible step forward for Clark College and the Ridgefield community,” said Dr. Edwards. “The Advanced Manufacturing Center will provide invaluable opportunities for students to develop critical skills in a growing field, allowing us to support the region’s workforce and expand educational access in north Clark County.”

Clark College will begin moving into the Advanced Manufacturing Center over the next few months and readying the space for classes to begin in 2025. General education classes will be held there in Spring 2025; five general education classrooms and one computer lab will accommodate a future capacity to serve up to 1,200 students per term. By Fall 2025, the complex will become the hub for the college’s advanced manufacturing program which is currently in development. When completed, the program will provide initial enrollment of 32 students in two cohorts of 16, with plans to eventually serve 48 students across three cohorts.

Located on a 10-acre property due east of the Ridgefield Junction, the 49,000 square foot Advanced Manufacturing Center features a vast open manufacturing floor, collaboration zones, satellite instructional facilities, classrooms, laboratories, offices and more. The 35,000 square feet dedicated to manufacturing training includes three industry-specific classrooms, four labs, five manufacturing cells and a vast open manufacturing floor. The remaining 14,000 square feet houses the five general education classrooms, along with faculty and student amenities.

Manufacturing and classroom spaces in the Advanced Manufacturing Center are designed for multiple delivery modes including lecture, collaborative, project-based learning, and hybrid models implementing online content and classroom application. The facility’s acoustic design ensures that unamplified voice communication will carry above ambient machine noise. The flexible design of the structure is envisioned to accommodate future growth and will serve students, Ridgefield and other north Clark County communities.

“As we celebrate completion of the Advanced Manufacturing Center, we are committed to delivering an education environment that fosters innovation, collaboration and workforce readiness,” added Dr. Edwards. “This world-class facility will be a hub of learning and industry-driven training for years to come.”

The LEED Silver certified Advanced Manufacturing Center meets state energy performance standards, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improves operational efficiencies. The progressive design-build construction delivery method used on the building was spearheaded by Mortenson in collaboration with Henneberry Eddy Architects; this delivery method proved instrumental to the successful implementation of the use of prefabrication in this project and the resulting efficiencies.

Sizemore emphasized the project's unique attributes. 

“The Advanced Manufacturing Center is a stunning testament to what can be achieved when stakeholders come together with a shared vision,” said Sizemore. “Clark College envisioned a sustainable, future-ready facility adaptable for growth in the Ridgefield community. We are proud to deliver this anchor building on the Ridgefield campus and we are confident that it will exceed the aspirations of Clark College and the Ridgefield community.”

About Mortenson

Mortenson is a U.S.-based, top-20 builder, developer, and engineering services provider serving the commercial, institutional, and energy sectors. Mortenson’s expanding portfolio of integrated services helps its customers move their strategies forward, ensuring their investments result in high-performing assets. The result is a turnkey partner, fully invested in the business success of its customers. Founded in 1954, Mortenson has operations across the U.S. with offices in Chicago, Denver, Fargo, Iowa City, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. For additional information, visit www.mortenson.com.

About Clark College

Founded in 1933 and celebrating its 90th year, Clark College provides residents of Southwest Washington with affordable, high-quality academic and technical education. It is a public community college offering more than 100 degree and certificate programs, including bachelor’s and associate degrees; professional certificates; high school diplomas and GED preparation; and non-credit community and continuing education. Clark serves a wide range of students including high school students, displaced workers, veterans, parents, non-native English speakers, and mature learners. Approximately three-quarters of its students are in the first generation of their families to attend college.

With its main campus located in Vancouver’s Central Park, Clark College serves over 8,000 students per term. Clark College is Southwest Washington’s largest public institution of higher education. The college currently offers classes at two satellite locations: Washington State University Vancouver campus and Columbia Tech Center in East Vancouver. Beginning Spring 2025, the college will offer classes at its 3^rd location, Clark College at Boschma Farms, in Ridgefield, Wash.

First building on Clark’s new Ridgefield campus will serve students beginning spring 2025

RIDGEFIELD, Wash. – Leading developer and design-builder Mortenson will officially present Clark College with the keys to the Advanced Manufacturing Center, the first building on the Ridgefield campus, at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 19. The ceremonial event will be held at Clark College, 7000 East Pioneer Street, Ridgefield. Speakers from Clark College and Mortenson will address an anticipated 100 guests.

At the celebration, Mortenson will present Clark College with a symbolic key to its new building. This event marks the completion of construction and the college will begin moving in and readying the space for classes to begin in 2025. General education classes will be held in the Advanced Manufacturing Center starting in spring 2025; by fall 2025, the facility will become the hub for the college’s advanced manufacturing program. 

The 49,000-square-foot Advanced Manufacturing Center at Clark College features a vast open manufacturing floor, collaboration zones, satellite instructional facilities, classrooms, laboratories, offices and more. The flexible design of the structure is envisioned to accommodate future growth and will serve students, Ridgefield and other north Clark County communities. 

Event details: 

• When: Tuesday, Nov. 19
  • 2:30 p.m. - Gathering time
  • 3 p.m.: Speaking program
  • 3:20 p.m.: Handing over the keys with Mortenson team members and Clark College mascot Oswald the Penguin 
  • 3:30 p.m.: Building tours, refreshments 
• Where: Advanced Manufacturing Center, Clark College, 7000 East Pioneer Street, Ridgefield, Washington

Speakers:  

• Dr. Karin Edwards, President, Clark College
• Sabra Sand, Vice President of Operations, Clark College
• Carolyn Sizemore, Market Director, Mortenson
• Kyle Womack, Principal, Hennebery Eddy Architects

Anticipated guests: 

• Clark College Foundation, Board of Trustees and administrators
• City of Ridgefield
• Design-build team members, including Mortenson, Hennebery Eddy and sub-consultants 
• Onsite craft workers and trade partners

Visuals:

• Speaking event
• Ceremonial key exchange 
• Reception

About Mortenson 

Mortenson is a U.S.-based, top-20 builder, developer, and engineering services provider serving the commercial, institutional, and energy sectors. Mortenson’s expanding portfolio of integrated services helps its customers move their strategies forward, ensuring their investments result in high-performing assets. The result is a turnkey partner, fully invested in the business success of its customers. Founded in 1954, Mortenson has operations across the U.S. with offices in Chicago, Denver, Fargo, Iowa City, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. For additional information, visit www.mortenson.com. 

About Clark College

Founded in 1933 and celebrating its 90th year, Clark College provides residents of Southwest Washington with affordable, high-quality academic and technical education. It is a public community college offering more than 100 degree and certificate programs, including bachelor’s and associate degrees; professional certificates; high school diplomas and GED preparation; and non-credit community and continuing education. Clark serves a wide range of students including high school students, displaced workers, veterans, parents, non-native English speakers, and mature learners. Approximately three-quarters of its students are in the first generation of their families to attend college.

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Educating for the seventh generation: A celebration of indigenous cultures

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- On Friday, Nov. 1, Clark College welcomes the community to its annual Powwow as it hosts “Educating for the Seventh Generation.” The free, public celebration of Indigenous cultures will be held in the Gaiser Student Center on Clark College’s main campus, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver. Doors open at 5 p.m.; grand entry begins at 6 p.m. Due to limited stage space, drummers will participate by invitation only. All dancers are welcome.

Since 2009, Clark College has celebrated Indigenous cultures during the first weekend of November in honor of Native American Heritage Month with a powwow that includes music, dance, food, vendors, honoring veterans, and announcing the Dreamcatcher Scholarship honoring the vision of Educating for the Seventh Generation. The powwow is one of four annual signature events hosted by the college to celebrate diverse cultures. 

“Educating for the Seventh Generation” references our responsibility to teach the future Seventh Generation to maintain our resources, traditions, and customs. It is the way of caring and preserving for the Seventh Generation, which is a true sustainable practice to consider the impacts of every decision for the next seven generations into the future.

Powwow Schedule:

• 5 p.m. – Doors open, blessing, free stew will be served (while supplies last), Native fry bread will be available for sale, informational tables and vendors selling Native arts and crafts
• 5:45 p.m. – Dignitary greeting
• 6 p.m. – Grand entry
• 10 p.m. – Colors retire

Driving directions and parking maps are available at www.clark.edu/maps. Anyone needing accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event should contact Clark College’s Human Resources office prior to the event via phone: 360-992-2105 or email hr@clark.edu

Donations accepted for the event through Clark College Foundation at give.clarkcollegefoundation.org and click on “give” and under designation, select “other” and enter “POWWOW.” 

Useful links

• Event info: Powwow: A Celebration of Indigenous Cultures 
• Native American Heritage Month
• Photos from the 2023 celebration are available via Clark’s Flickr album, 
  photo credit to Jenny Shadley, Clark College

About Clark College 

Founded in 1933, Clark College provides residents of Southwest Washington with affordable, high-quality academic and technical education. It is a public community college offering more than 100 degree and certificate programs, including bachelor’s and associate degrees; professional certificates; high school diplomas and GED preparation; and non-credit community and continuing education. Clark serves a wide range of students including high school students, displaced workers, veterans, parents, non-native English speakers, and mature learners. Approximately 45% of its students are in the first generation of their families to attend college.   

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Tour the mechatronics lab, meet faculty, view equipment  

VANCOUVER, Wash.— Clark College is hosting a mechatronics technology open house on Wednesday, October 30 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Clark College Columbia Tech Center, 18700 East Mill Plain Boulevard, Room 109, Vancouver. Get a hands-on tour of the Clark College mechatronics facility, meet instructors, ask questions. Learn more about this in-demand field that is a good fit for people who love working with their hands, solving problems, and doing something different every day. 

Mechatronics is a growing technical field that integrates mechanical and electronic components managed by control systems. Mechatronics technicians troubleshoot, maintain, and repair mechanical equipment controlled by electrical, electronic, and computer systems. The systems are used in a wide variety of manufacturing and related technical applications, especially in high-tech industries.

Mechatronics at Clark College

Clark’s mechatronics students can earn an Associate in Applied Technology (AAT) degree in mechanical and instrumentation automation in two years.

Classes emphasize current concepts and technology by providing practical, hands-on experiences with the latest, industry-standard equipment. Coursework includes process control, instrumentation/automation, conveyor, palletizer, and robotics systems.

CHIPS and Science Act: Why mechatronics jobs are in demand

High-tech manufacturing jobs—including mechatronics—are on the rise, thanks in a large part to the $280 billion CHIPS and Science Act (CHIPS) of 2022. CHIPS is aimed at bolstering U.S. manufacturing of semiconductor chips, reestablishing United States’ leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, shoring up global supply chains, and strengthening national and economic security. Washington is one of the top states for semiconductor manufacturing, especially here in Southwest Washington. In August 2024, two years after CHIPS was signed, the Biden-Harris administration is celebrating historic achievements in bringing semiconductor supply chains home to the U.S. and creating family-wage jobs.

What Clark mechatronics students say about the program: 

• Zak, a maintenance technician at SEH, said, “Clark’s program will help me go further in my career.”
• Melissa, a mechanical engineering degree, worked in the field for five years but said she realized “I wanted hands-on work where I would put math and theory into practice.” Clark’s hands-on mechatronics program has been a good fit. 
• Austin was taking engineering classes at Clark but decided he wanted to work in manufacturing and thought mechatronics would be a better fit for him. He said, “Clark is a good umbrella program” for graduates to step into jobs in various manufacturing industries.
• Brayson was an operator at Analog Devices, Inc (ADI), a company that manufactures integrated circuits for electronics. He was watching the technicians working and realized he wanted to do that job. After he registered for Clark’s mechatronics program, ADI promoted him to technician.
• Kyle, a machinist at Sigma Design, said with automation happening more frequently across industries, earning a mechatronics degree and learning these skills will increase his job security.

Questions about Mechatronics at Clark College? Contact Tina Jenkins at tjenkins@clark.edu or (360) 992-6171. Learn more here.

If you need an accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event, please contact Clark College’s Human Resources Office. Phone: 360-992-2105 or email hr@clark.edu

About Clark College 

Founded in 1933, Clark College provides residents of Southwest Washington with affordable, high-quality academic and technical education. It is a public community college offering more than 100 degree and certificate programs, including bachelor’s and associate degrees; professional certificates; high school diplomas and GED preparation; and non-credit community and continuing education. Clark serves a wide range of students including high school students, displaced workers, veterans, parents, non-native English speakers, and mature learners. Approximately 45% of its students are in the first generation of their families to attend college.   

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