Episode 24: The Art of Hope and Leadership: A Conversation with Holy Cross College President Dr. Marco Clark

Thankful for his parents who were his first teachers and blessed with gifts of grit and determination, Holy Cross College President Dr. Marco Clark, Ed. D. has found great joy in serving others and impacting lives throughout his 30-year Catholic education career that has included stops in teaching high school, coaching, working with at-risk youth, teaching at the college level, and completing research in educational leadership. Learn how his experiences and human-centered approaches to creative leadership have resulted in promising futures. Get to know how hard work, building strong reputations, humbleness, and mentorship pay dividends, and what he looks forward to most as he sends new graduates into the world. Finally, feel the transformative power of positivity and respect as Dr. Clark shares stories deeply rooted in love and making the world better.  

Transcript

Welcome to Illuminate: Navigating the Unknown Through Creative Leadership. I'm Sarah Hempstead, a leader in creative problem-solving, CEO, and Principal in Charge at Schmidt Associates. My guest today is Holy Cross College President, Dr. Marco Clark.

Spending the past 35 years in Catholic education, Dr. Clark has worked in Maryland and Washington, DC, in Catholic high schools as a counselor, teacher, coach, and principal, and in Austin, Texas, as an executive director, assistant professor, researcher, and presenter. In 2022, he joined Holy Cross College as the president and serves on numerous nonprofit boards.

Dr. Clark is the first president of Holy Cross College who is not a Holy Cross brother or priest. Focusing on the history of the Holy Cross Brothers, leadership development and succession, as well as effective leadership, nonprofit board governance, Dr. Clark has undoubtedly contributed to enhancing the body of knowledge and helping Holy Cross grow. Beyond his life in Catholic education, Dr. Clark and his wife Peggy are the proud parents of three grown children and seven grandchildren. We'll delve into Dr. Clark's storied career and learn more about his journey.

Sarah: I have heard you say what a great privilege it has been to work in Catholic education. You've been there for more than 30 years, starting as a high school teacher. I find mostly when people start their careers as teachers, it's because they had great teachers.

Dr. Clark: Yeah. You know, as I look back, I’m so thankful for my parents as my first teachers. They taught me grit, hard work, resilience, faith, and family values. These core values have carried forth in everything I do. When I was in the eighth grade, they gave me the opportunity to go to a Catholic high school. It was really there where I encountered my first set of mentors. Great teachers, many of whom I’m still in close contact with today.

Sarah: You were the first in your family to go to college. Who encouraged you to do that?

Dr. Clark: I was a student-athlete and had a dream of playing college football. But when I got to Bishop McNamara High School, run by the Brothers of Holy Cross, they helped me believe in myself and see something bigger. They introduced me to leadership and strengthened my faith, and they helped me believe in myself before I did.

Sarah: How did that lead you to a career in education?

Dr. Clark: I majored in psychology and interned at a school working with juvenile delinquents. It was through this experience that I discovered a vocation in education. I realized these kids wanted to love and be loved, to be held to high standards. It began with that experience and evolved as I pursued coaching and teaching.

Sarah: Eventually, you moved from the classroom to administration and research. Tell me about that journey.

Dr. Clark: The first eight years of my career were spent with tremendous mentors. I was coaching football and taking on extra duties to make ends meet. I came to a crossroads where I had to choose between coaching opportunities. A mentor advised me to become the principal, to have a larger impact. I hung up my whistle, went back to school, and later became the principal of my alma mater, where I spent 23 years.

Sarah: That’s such a cool story about vocation. For those not familiar, what’s the difference between finding a job and finding a vocation?

Dr. Clark: Vocation is about where your deep gladness meets the deep needs of the world. It’s about living a life of impact. My deep gladness includes being a husband, father, and now a grandfather, and mentoring and coaching others. It’s about helping others thrive and flourish.

Sarah: Can you talk about the role of Catholic education in forming vocation and values?

Dr. Clark: Catholic education is about human flourishing and contributing to the common good. It’s about loving God and one another, putting good humans into the world. Cardinal James Hickey once said, "We don't teach them because they're Catholic; we teach them because we're Catholic."

Sarah: As a leader, where do you go to evolve and learn?

Dr. Clark: I became a student of leadership early on. I immerse myself in reading, biographies, and autobiographies. I also engage in lifelong learning and ensure I take time for reflection, exercise, and me-time to stay balanced.

Sarah: Communication is key for leaders. What have you learned about communicating with all your stakeholders?

Dr. Clark: Authenticity, humility, joyfulness, and commitment to excellence are crucial. Communication must be transparent and human-centered. Leaders need to be accessible and willing to be held accountable.

Sarah: Your research focuses on succession planning. What should we know about successful succession?

Dr. Clark: Leadership development should be a core focus. Identifying and nurturing potential leaders through mentorship and training is essential. Developing a culture of leader development and talent management ensures continuous growth and readiness for succession.

Sarah: What do you see in today’s students compared to those from 35 years ago?

Dr. Clark: Students still want to love and be loved, to be held to high standards. However, today’s students face a pandemic of loneliness, depression, and anxiety. They lack a sense of belonging, exacerbated by COVID-19 and the internet. Higher education needs to adapt to support these needs.

Sarah: What initiatives is Holy Cross implementing to address these needs?

Dr. Clark: We’re growing and focusing on transformational student life experiences. We’re implementing high-impact teaching practices, creating a Center for Teaching and Learning, and launching a mental health and behavioral health program. We’re also engaging in community partnerships and providing educational opportunities for non-traditional learners.

Sarah: Holy Cross also reaches into the prison system. Can you touch on that mission?

Dr. Clark: The Moreau College Initiative has graduated 135 men with bachelor’s degrees, providing them hope and opportunities for a better future. These men receive high-level academic instruction and support, helping them reintegrate into society successfully.

Sarah: You recently had commencement. What did you tell the graduates that you wish someone had told you?

Dr. Clark: I encouraged them to work hard, seek mentors, and build their reputation. I challenged them to be saints today and for all eternity, to live as they’ve learned.

Sarah: Lastly, what do you hope people say about you when your career ends?

Dr. Clark: I hope they say I was a good man who helped others believe in themselves, that I oozed love. I hope my family says I was a good husband, father, and grandfather.

Sarah: Any book recommendations for our listeners?

Dr. Clark: I recommend books by Jim Collins, John Maxwell, Malcolm Gladwell, and Patrick Lencioni. Biographies and autobiographies of leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, and Abraham Lincoln are also great. Currently, I’m reading "Range" by David Epstein and "Long Life Learning" by Michelle Weiss.

Sarah: This has been a wonderful conversation. Thank you for joining us today. To learn more about Holy Cross College, visit hcc-nd.edu. This has been Illuminate: Navigating the Unknown Through Creative Leadership. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and reach out to us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn at Schmidt Associates. Thank you for listening, and keep navigating the unknown with creativity and confidence.