Dr. Jess Clark to Join College as New Provost
Dr. Jessica Clark has been named provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Bellevue College.
Prior to Clark’s hire, which will be effective May 1, 2024, she worked as an executive educational strategist and has served as the Vice President of the Instruction Office at Walla Walla Community College and Vice President of Learning and Student Services at Northland Pioneer College.
“I’m genuinely excited to join Bellevue College as its next provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, a role that feels like a homecoming, not just in geography but in values. Bellevue College’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion deeply resonates with me, echoing my personal and professional ethos of seeing people as people—each with unique stories, challenges, and dreams.”
Dr. Jessica Clark
Clark said her journey has always been about breaking down barriers and fostering spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
“As we embark on this next chapter together, I am energized to lead with an outward mindset, ensuring that our collective efforts at Bellevue College not only champion diversity but cultivate a community where every individual can thrive,” she said.
During Clark’s time at Walla Walla, she launched the Center for Integrated Learning, a professional development opportunity for faculty, and partnered with local sectors to better harmonize programs with workforce needs. She also has a strong record of accomplishment in establishing connections with other vice presidents and divisions to better serve students.
“From her experience working with Achieving the Dream and Guided Pathways to her ability to foster partnerships with local tribes, Dr. Clark is ideally suited for the provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs role. I look forward to working with her on continuing to advance diversity, equity and Inclusion and I am excited for that effort to be central as she leads the college’s strategic planning initiatives this year. I hope our community will join me in welcoming her to Bellevue College.”
Dr. David May, Bellevue College president
Dr. Clark will oversee the Academic Affairs division, which includes Arts and Humanities, College in the High School, Connected Learning, Faculty Commons, Health Sciences, Education and Wellness, School of Business and Technology, Social Sciences, and the Science division. She will lead the Effectiveness, Research and Analytics and Grants offices as well.
Clark spent two years at Walla Walla Community College. While there, she oversaw the Instruction division as the college’s chief instruction officer, and she was the college’s accreditation liaison officer to the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. She contributed to a 12% increase in enrollment and secured accreditation through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. She also led major improvements to the college’s Corrections Education, Academic Transfer, Workforce Transfer and Trades, Access and Opportunity Division, and Nursing and Allied Health departments.
At Northland Pioneer College in Arizona, where she spent just under two years, Clark served as the chief academic officer, chief student affairs officer, Title IX coordinator and Clery administrator. In that role, she created the Division of Instructional Innovation –– a new academic division, and she facilitated an opportunity for no-cost college course offerings for local high school partners, among other accomplishments.
Clark worked as the division chair of Social Sciences and Education at Western Wyoming Community College and as a Dakota Memories Oral History project coordinator at North Dakota State University. She has 11 years of experience teaching history and political science as a faculty member.
Among several certifications, Clark holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Central Washington University, a master’s degree and Ph.D. in history both from North Dakota State University, and a post-doctoral graduate certificate in higher education leadership from the University of Wyoming.
Screening Committee
The members of the Provost Search Screening Committee are committed to upholding strict confidentiality about the search process, and each have signed an Ethics and Confidentiality Commitment.
Contact
Bellevue College partnered with Veena Abraham, J.D. and Robert Luke at EQU Advisors on this provost search. Please visit EQU Advisors for additional information.
Bellevue College has previously worked with EQU Advisors on the recent presidential search. EQU founders, Robert Luke and Veena Abraham, have proven themselves to be trusted representatives of Bellevue College and strong partners in developing diverse pools of talented candidates for executive searches and particularly attuned to facilitating robust and inclusive search processes.
Visit EQU Advisors for additional information