​Middlesex Community College is excited to announce Maria McDuffie Clark as the new Director for Student Engagement for Equity. Most recently the Assistant Director of Multicultural Affairs at the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML), McDuffie Clark has a long history with Middlesex. Thrilled to return to MCC in their new role, McDuffie Clark’s main goal is to help all students feel a strong sense of belonging at the college.

“I’m looking forward to connecting with our students on a different level and getting them to where they want to be,” McDuffie Clark said. “Student engagement is as critical as academics. We want students to be able to practice a skillset, articulate what they’ve learned in the classroom, and share with others. It helps them be competitive in the workforce and makes their investment in education worth it.”

McDuffie Clark is interested in supporting students on an individual level. In their work at UML, they dove deeper into building communities for students within the Black, LatinX and LGBTQ+ populations, including looking at the types of services that are offered. With the Rising 360 program – which they are looking to bring to MCC – they focused on well-being across all interactions with students, such as one-to-one coaching, peer-led events and bonding opportunities, as well as orientation, cultural events and heritage months.

“Student engagement is as critical as academics. We want students to be able to practice a skillset, articulate what they’ve learned in the classroom, and share with others. It helps them be competitive in the workforce and makes their investment in education worth it.” - Maria McDuffie Clark, MCC's Director for Student Engagement for Equity

The Rising 360 program addresses students’ needs on a holistic level, ensuring they are healthy in their body, emotions and mental health, as well as in their academics, financials and career path. At MCC, McDuffie Clark will work with students on creating a well-rounded college experience related to their identity in multiple ways. “We want students to know they belong here and deserve to be here,” they said.

“How we work with faculty is important, as is Service-Learning and civic engagement,” McDuffie Clark said. “Every piece appeals to someone’s identity that they want to explore. We’re looking at what their passion is, what they value, and then are connecting them to people to get on the trajectory of where they want to be and how they want to contribute to their community. I see it as equity, getting to know people and addressing each of their needs starting where they’re at. Though we don’t all start at the same place, we show patience and intentionality.”

McDuffie Clark earned bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Psychology from North Carolina State University. They moved to Lowell to pursue a master’s in Community Psychology at UML before starting their career at MCC working in Multicultural Affairs. After two years in the Americorp Vista program, McDuffie Clark made an initial return to Middlesex as the International Student Coordinator, helping students navigate complicated government systems while studying, having fun, and growing comfortable in a new culture.

As many MCC students transfer to UML, McDuffie Clark always felt connected to the community college, often helping transfer students adjust to the change, just as they had. When the new position opened up, a second return to MCC felt natural. Calling their experience within Lowell and higher education “magic,” McDuffie Clark looks forward to helping MCC in its mission of providing equity and access to education for all students.

“Education opens doors and moves mountains,” they said. “Knowing more about each other makes for a better world. I’m grateful to be part of the MCC community on a day-to-day basis again. I did a lot of growing up here.”