Larry Ruddell believes too many people have lost their voice.
“There are many people who, for a wide variety of reasons, have lost control of their lives and with it, their voice; their ability to communicate an effective and positive message about themselves,’’ said Ruddell, the recently-appointed director of basic education at Clark College. “Some believe it is their job to speak for them; I believe it is my job to help them learn to speak for themselves.”
That’s how Ruddell describes his role at Clark College.
Ruddell, who was born and raised in Portland, spent seven years in Vancouver running homes for juvenile delinquents and working in a sheltered workshop serving people with disabilities. He previously served as director of disability support services for the Institute for Extended Learning at the Community Colleges of Spokane. His most recent position was as director of adult basic skills at Wenatchee Valley College.
In winter quarter 2013, Clark’s adult basic education programs will relocate from Town Plaza to Clark’s main campus. They will be housed in the “T” Building, located on the west side of Fort Vancouver Way across from the Penguin Union Building.
Ruddell said, “This move will give our students more access to college resources and new pathways to success. That’s very exciting.”
More than 1,100 students are taking basic skills classes at Clark College during fall quarter.
Ruddell noted, “Our mission is to provide education, training and support so that everyone - regardless of their education, their level of ability, or their life choices - can learn to communicate a strong, positive personal message about themselves not only in what they say but in the decisions they make and what they do with their lives. Everything I will do at Clark College will be to help our basic education students develop a personal voice and message that others will want to hear.”
He added, “When people learn better skills, they are able to get better jobs and build a better life for themselves and their families. That helps us all build a stronger community and state.”
Ruddell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Warner Pacific College and a Master of Education degree in guidance and counseling from Washington State University Pullman.
