Dr. Lisa Edwards, executive dean of workforce development and continuing education, will be leaving Clark College at the end of January to become Dean of Enterprise and Economic Development at Tacoma Community College.
A renewed energy had been evident over the last two years in Clark College’s workforce and professional development and customized training departments.
Since her hire in mid-2004, Edwards has worked to bridge a gap between the college and the business community.
"My job was to reinvigorate our efforts and reposition the college to be more responsive to the community," she said in a 2005 interview with the Vancouver Business Journal. "Serving the business community is one of the core missions of the community college."
Corporate training and education had been greatly expanded under her watch, and a business incubator was said to be in the works last year.
Edwards spearheaded Future Search, where the college met with community and business leaders to identify strategies for success, and helped form partnerships with the Columbia River Economic Development Council and Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council. Among other responsibilities, she was a long time workforce development columnist for the Vancouver Business Journal.
Edwards has family and long-time friends in the Tacoma area, where she will be moving with her new daughter, Grace.
-From VBJ reports
