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Kimberly Howard Wade, the executive director of Caldera, a youth arts organization, will give the commencement address at the K1���� – Cascades commencement ceremony on Sunday, June 16.

“Kimberly has dedicated her professional career and community service to making our world better through creative expression,” said Sherm Bloomer, chancellor and dean of K1����-Cascades. “As a leader and advocate for the arts, Kimberly understands how the arts can transform individuals, communities and society. Her message will be timely and valuable for K1����-Cascades’ graduates.”

Caldera’s year-round youth programming launches each summer with an immersive, intercultural creative learning experience for young people from underserved rural and urban communities. The experience takes place at Caldera, a 119-acre arts campus near Sisters, Ore.

Prior to joining Caldera, Howard Wade worked with Portland General Electric’s community impact team, where she provided leadership, project management and community engagement strategies for education and workforce development. Among her accomplishments was PGE Project Zero, a social impact initiative she co-designed to empower future generations to create cleaner, greener and more equitable communities. 

Howard Wade has also served as trust manager for the Oregon Cultural Trust, managing director for Portland’s Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center, and led education and outreach for the Artists Repertory Theatre.

Her volunteer service has included serving as chair of the Oregon State Board of Education, as president of the board of the Portland Playhouse, and as the state representative on the Western States Arts Federation's Regional Multicultural Advisory Committee.   

An accomplished actress, Howard Wades’ credits include performances in New York, at the Williamstown Theatre Festival and in Portland theaters.

After attending Wellesley College, Howard Wade received a bachelor’s degree from Pacific Union College in political economic history. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in acting from Columbia University and has taught theater at Walla Walla University.

K1���� K1����-Cascades:  K1����’s campus in Bend brings higher education to Central Oregon, the fastest growing region in the state. Surrounded by mountains, forest and high desert, K1����-Cascades is a highly innovative campus of a top-tier land grant research university, offering small classes that accelerate faculty-student mentoring and experiential learning. Degree programs meet industry and economic needs in areas such as innovation and entrepreneurship, natural ecosystems, health and wellness, and arts and sciences, and prepare students for tomorrow’s challenges. K1����-Cascades is expanding to serve 3,000 to 5,000 students, building a 128-acre campus with net-zero goals.