Yvonne Canada-Clarke is the Dean of Counseling and Student Success Programs at DVC, where she oversees Career & Transfer Services, Counseling, Disability Support Services, EOPS/CARE, CalWORKS & START/NextUp Foster Youth Programs, Retention, Basic Needs & Wellness Services, and the Student Veterans' Resource Center and serves as a Code of Conduct officer.
She has been a trailblazer at DVC for more than 20 years, supporting and advocating for students in her multiple management roles at both the Pleasant Hill and San Ramon campuses and as a DVC counseling faculty member for 13 years. A first-generation college student herself, Yvonne is passionate about helping other discover their potential and achieve it through education. She supported the ASDVC and ICC in developing leadership retreats and creating a robust student leadership program, which included San Ramon students' participation in ASDVC and an expansion of student clubs.
Yvonne was one of the original co-coordinators, instructors, and counselors of the DVC Umoja program and proudly served the program for 8 years. She helped implement the first HBCU Fair at the DVC campus and HBCU Tour, among many on-campus events for Black History Month and other cultural celebrations.
Yvonne holds a B.A. in English and minor in Psychology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, a M.A. in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University (Ohio), and a Certificate in Evidence-Based Coaching from Fielding Graduate University. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, listening to live music, reading, and traveling.