Ron Adams at the Feb. 16, 2018, dedication of Dr. John Hakanson Amphitheater at the CCC Environmental Learning Center.

OREGON CITY – Ron Adams has resigned from the Clackamas Community College Board of Education Wednesday after representing the West Linn/Wilsonville area since 2003. The board passed a declaration of board vacancy for the zone during its Dec. 12 regular meeting.

In a letter to the Board of Education, Adams wrote “Now is the best time for myself, my family and the college. … My confidence in the faculty, staff, the Board and President Tim Cook for continued success could not be greater.”

Adams has served the college district for 15 years and served on the Oregon School Board Association Legislative Policy Committee. During his tenure, he has helped the college achieve many milestones, including:

• 2007 – Successful president search
• 2009 – Go Oregon stimulus package funding
• 2011 – Approval of three-year $18-million grant to support CASE strategies to expand and enhance career pathways
• 2012 – National Guard awards CCC Family Program Community Purple Award
• 2014 – Passage of a $90-million bond measure
• 2016 – Completion of $10-million Foundation campaign that raised more than $11million
• 2017 – CCC named top college for vets by Military Times
• 2017-18 – Successful president search
• 2018 – Restoration of the Environmental Learning Center

“Along with the Board of Education, I thank Ron for his service. His strong commitment to strengthening relationships between community colleges, K-12 and universities and his experience as a representative in the state legislature have been great assets to the college” CCC President Tim Cook said.

Applications for the vacant position are being accepted until 4 p.m., Jan. 4, 2019. For more information about the position and to apply, visit www.clackamas.edu/board-of-education-documents.

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A Clackamas Community College student works on a computer numerical control machine in the Industrial Technology Center in Oregon City.

OREGON CITY – Thanks to the band Metallica, Clackamas Community College (CCC) is moving more heavy metal into its career technical education programs. The college is one of 10 recipients of a $100,000 grant from the Metallica Scholars Initiative, funded by Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation (AWMH).

This major workforce education initiative provides direct support to community colleges to enhance their career and technical education programs. These programs provide skills and services to students who are looking to enter a traditional trade or other applied learning program. CCC is one of 10 community colleges from across the country chosen through a competitive proposal process to receive $100,000 to support students training to enter the American workforce. These students will become the first cohort of Metallica Scholars.

“CCC is proud to provide a cost?effective education for students to pursue ‘metals’ careers working in automotive, welding and computer controlled machine manufacturing in greater Portland,” CCC President Tim Cook said. “For metals students, tuition is only half the battle. Our students, many of whom are low income, struggle to purchase the tools and textbooks needed for successful study, apprenticeship and employment in their chosen careers. I believe elevating the profile of career and technical education through Metallica Scholars could forge a path out of poverty for many in our community.”

Partnering with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), a Washington, D.C.-based organization that represents the nation’s 1,103 community colleges, the Metallica Scholars awards are designed to provide support of relevant job skill training for community college students, reinvest in communities that supported Metallica during its recent United States tours, and leverage the influence of Metallica to elevate the importance of career and technical education.

CCC will use the grant funding to purchase tools, textbooks, personal protective equipment for low-income students studying computer numerical control, industrial technology, welding and automotive technology. In addition to the tools, equipment and textbooks, the CCC cohort of Metallica Scholars will receive resume and interview prep and practice, job and/or internship placement assistance, advising, career coaching and additions support in transportation, books and supplies.

“The All Within My Hands Foundation and Metallica are proud to announce this major new initiative,” Dr. Edward Frank, executive director of AWMH, said. “While the foundation continues our support for the fight against hunger and emergency community aid, we are now expanding our mission to include support for career and technical education. The goal of our Metallica Scholars Initiative is to improve career opportunities for community college students in the trades. Equally, we hope to raise the awareness of the tremendous importance, value and impact of the education provided by our nation’s community college system.”

AWMH will work closely with AACC to implement and manage the program.

“Colleges across the country provide pathways to well-paying jobs through programs, services and training that lead to in-demand skills, certificates and degrees for students. These programs are responsive to the needs of local businesses and provide a pipeline of qualified workers to local industry. It’s a win-win for our students and the local economy,” said Walter G. Bumphus. Ph.D., AACC’s president and CEO. “For Metallica to see the benefit of these programs and invest in the communities that have supported them is a testament to the power of education and we are proud to do this work with them.”

In addressing why the foundation chose workforce education as part of its mission, Lars Ulrich, Metallica’s drummer and co-founder said, “All of us in the band feel fortunate that music has provided us the opportunity to be successful doing something we are passionate about. We want to share our success with others so that they can find a job where they can do the same.”

Other recipient colleges are:

• Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, North Carolina
• College of Lake County, Grayslake, Illinois
• Community College of Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland
• Gateway Technical College, Kenosha, Wisconsin
• Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Lone Star College, The Woodlands, Texas
• North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
• Spokane Community College, Spokane, Washington
• Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology, Wichita, Kansas

For more information about Clackamas Community College, visit www.clackamas.edu. To learn more about CCC’s programs, visit www.clackamas.edu/programs. To learn more about the Metallica Scholars program at CCC, contact Tom Brown at thomasb@clackamas.edu or 503-594-3956.

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Clackamas Community College offers a Master Automobile Service Technology program certified by the Automotive Service Excellence Education Foundation.

OREGON CITY – Trained automotive technicians are in high-demand, and employers are seeking educated and qualified workers to fill available positions.

For those who get revved up working on cars, Clackamas Community College offers a Master Automobile Service Technology program certified by the Automotive Service Excellence Education Foundation.

This program certification demonstrates the college’s automotive department instructors provide industry-approved instruction on modern equipment with today’s safety standards. This is the highest level of accreditation recognized by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

“Shops who are ASE certified often seek employees who have been trained through this program,” CCC instructor Jay Leuck said. “Right now, well-paying jobs in automotive service and repair are readily available for students who go through our program.”

CCC students in the college’s automotive service technology program learn to diagnose and service hybrid systems, as well as service and repair automatic and manual transmissions/transaxles, heating/air conditioning systems, electrical, engine and steering, and suspension systems.

After earning a degree in just two years, automotive service technology graduates can land jobs as mechanics or specialty technicians. The average entry-level automotive mechanic salary in Portland is $40,294, but the range falls between $35,385 and $46,451.

“Our students learn hands-on in an environment that mimics real shops with industry-knowledgeable instructors,” Leuck said. “Whether you are fresh out of high school or looking to jumpstart a new career, we are here to help.”

For more information about the automotive service technology program, visit www.clackamas.edu/automotive or call 503-594-3052. Need help paying for college? CCC offers more than $500,000 annually in scholarships. Learn more at www.clackamas.edu/scholarships.

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OREGON CITY – Nature camp isn’t just for summer. Clackamas Community College’s Environmental Learning Center has winter options for little ones to explore and learn about nature.

NATURE STRIDERS PRESCHOOL

The Nature Striders preschool program gives children and their caregivers a chance to explore nature together, through activities like story time, crafts and walks in the forest/wetland habitat. Each session includes both indoor and outdoor activities, so be sure to dress for the weather.

Winter’s Welcome – Dec. 4, 5, 18, or 19

Join naturalist and educator Sarah Bidwell in the welcoming of winter with stories, games and hands-on activities exploring how plants and animals prepare for winter.

Animal Tracks – Jan. 8, 9, 22, or 23

Clues that tell a story. Join naturalist and educator Sarah Bidwell in learning to “read” the tracks left behind by wildlife neighbors.

Wetland Wonders – Feb. 12, 26, or 27

Join naturalist and educator Sarah Bidwell to explore the variety of aquatic creatures that swim, float and grow in our wetlands.

Nature Striders sessions are 10-11:30 a.m. and are geared toward children 2-5 years of age. The first session is free, and all others after that are just $15. Snacks are provided, but participants should bring something to drink.

WINTER BREAK CAMPS

For children in first through fifth grade, the Environmental Learning Center offers two camps in January.

Nature Mysteries – Jan. 2

Grades: 1-2 and 3-5

Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Cost: $60 per day (grades 1-2) and $65 per day (grades 3-5)

Students will use their creative, analytical and problem-solving skills to explore the patterns and puzzles that surround us in the natural world. They will enjoy a variety of fun, age-appropriate activities: exploring the winter forest/wetland habitat, making crafts and playing games.

Tracking and Survival Skills – Jan. 3 and 4

Grades: 1-2 and 3-5

Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Cost: $60 per day (grades 1-2) and $65 per day (grades 3-5)

Animal tracks are a window into an otherwise hidden world of wild animals. In these camps, students will spend time learning to see and identify signs of animals in the outdoors and explore how animals can survive in cold, wet winters.

Before and after school care is available for these camps.

I’d like to mention somewhere that we have scholarships available for the camps:  If the ability to pay is a barrier, please contact us for scholarship information.

Registration is required as space is limited and scholarships are available. For more information, visit www.clackamas.edu/elc/kids. For questions, contact Renee Harber at rharber@clackamas.edu or 503-594-3015.

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CCC Board of Education member Ron Adams was honored Nov. 8 with the Oregon Community College Association Howard Cherry Award.

OREGON CITY – To honor his years of service and dedication to education and the community, Clackamas Community College Board of Education member Ron Adams is the recipient of the 2018 Oregon Community College Association's (OCCA) Howard Cherry Award.

The award is named for the late Dr. Howard Cherry, a lifelong advocate for education and community involvement and recognizes those who, by their contributions to the community college cause in Oregon, have brought recognition to community colleges statewide.

“Ron Adams is a selfless man who only wants the best for students,” CCC President Tim Cook Said. “His strong work ethic and big heart has made Clackamas Community College a better place. He is definitely worthy of this honor.”

Adams has served on the CCC Board of Education since 2003 and represents West Linn and Wilsonville.  He is a longtime resident of West Linn and has served the community for 25 years as a West Linn Lion and as the program director of the Oregon Youth Conservation Corps. He was an Oregon state representative and served as chair of the undergraduate business program at Marylhurst University.

During his tenure at Clackamas Community College, Adams has helped the college achieve many milestones. College accomplishments include:

• 2007 – Successful president search
• 2009 – Go Oregon stimulus package funding
• 2011 – Approval of three-year $18-million grant to support CASE strategies to expand and enhance career pathways
• 2012 – National Guard awards CCC Family Program Community Purple Award
• 2014 – Passage of a $90-million bond measure
• 2016 – Completion of $10-million Foundation campaign that raised more than $11 million
• 2017 – CCC named top college for vets by Military Times
• 2017-18 – Successful president search
• 2018 – Restoration of the Environmental Learning Center

The OCCA represents Oregon’s 17 community colleges and their elected board members by advocating, communicating and collaborating with them to strengthen community colleges in the state.

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