P R O J E C T P I O N E E R SA   P I O N E E R I N G   M O D E L

R w h at i s ?LEEP (Liberal Education and Effective Practice) is Clark University’s pioneering

model of education that gives students the full range of skills they need to thrive

in today’s competitive, interconnected and ever-changing world. Every Clark

student benefits from this comprehensive liberal arts curriculum infused with

life-changing world, work and personal experiences.

R O b u s t s k I L L s f O R A   D y N A M I c w O R L D

Through LEEP, you’ll develop skills sought by top employers—abilities that include creativity and imagination, self-directedness, resilience and persistence — which Clark refers to as capacities of effective practice.

LEEP also ensures that you graduate prepared to address 21st-century challenges with passion, confidence, and integrity.

s u P P O R t   A t E v E R y   s t E P

LEEP is an integrated learning continuum that begins as you transition from high school to college, and extends throughout your time at —and after—Clark. It will help you adapt to new experiences and connect to the classes, people, places, and opportunities that will change your life—so that you can change the world.

• your first-year Intensive, a small, seminar- style class with an academic focus — taught by your pre-major faculty adviser — will introduce you to college-level work in a safe, supportive setting.

P E R s O N A L   A N D   P R O f E s s I O N A L c O N N E c t I O N s

The best way to explore your interests is by learning firsthand from world-class professor  — as well as from alumni, business leaders, entrepreneurs, activists, researchers and scientists with relevant careers and expertise. LEEP is designed to help you do just that.

• At the LEEP center, you’ll work closely with a LEEP Center adviser to design a challenging and rewarding educational path that includes interdisciplinary courses, internships, research projects, study abroad experiences, extracurricular activities and more.

• the LEEP Project is one of the most ambitious and exciting experiences you’ll have at Clark. You’ll enjoy the opportunity to explore your interests in-depth alongside professors and industry leaders and prove to yourself, the Clark community and potential employers that you’ve built the foundations to make immediate contributions to your field.

y O u ’ R E N O t j u s t R E A D y t O L E E P — y O u ’ v E A L R E A D y b E G u N

As you read about the diverse projects our students have completed, we hope you’re inspired to contemplate the topics you’re most passionate about, the places in the world you want to experience, and the complex global issues you hope to solve. Your LEEP Center adviser is ready to discuss all of your options with you. the next move is yours.

It’s much more than an education!

LEEP is a lifelong journey of

professional achievement,

global citizenship, and nonstop

personal growth and exploration.

And for members of the

Clark University Class of 2019,

that journey begins today.

at Clark, all students have the opportunity to experience LEEP: in the classroom, out on the quad, playing a sport, or participating in a club. students are invited to:

• O r i e n t to new courses and activities that will inspire and challenge them;

• explOre talents and life goals through research, networking, work and play — on and off campus; and

• Act on what they learn by integrating their knowledge, skills, and community interactions, and putting them to use.

Students become LEEP Fellows to enhance their learning through LEEP Projects. Faculty mentors, Clark alumni and organizational partners work with the Fellows on research that spans the breadth of Clark’s academic areas, from the social sciences to business, from the humanities to the sciences.

The following students’ LEEP Projects from the past two years have provided opportunities for them to connect their academic learning with professional development. They have explored, in depth, topics about which they are passionate, and have demonstrated mastery of the five LEEP Learning Outcomes, including the ability to integrate skills and knowledge and to solve complex problems through creative thinking, collaboration and persistence.

LEEP Fellows hail from places like New Mexico and Hawaii, as well as South Korea and Puerto Rico. And they traveled to places like Kenya, Nepal, and Taiwan. They interview and befriend fascinating people, observe and research exotic environments, and obtain new knowledge and skills that will prepare them for meaningful careers and lives.

HAPPENSWI TH

FELLOWS

clark valentine jackson ’14 from College Park, Md. Major: ChemistryLEEP Project: “GoodEd: A Smart Sex Ed Resource for Clark Students” in Worcester, Mass. Clark’s blog: clarku.edu/healthresource-blogClark’s LEEP Project speech: clarku.edu/healthresource-speech

“ I CA R E A b O U T P U b L I C H E A LT H , a n d a m a n a dvo C at E

fo r r E P r o d u C t i v E h E a Lt h a n d aCC E s s . T H E S E T WO

T H I N G S i n s P i r E d m E to C r E at E my L E E P P r oj E C t.

A S A R E S U LT, I H A d A N I N C R E d I b L E E x P E R I E N C E .

I H Av E C r E at E d a n E w r E s o u r C E FO R ST U d E N TS ,

A N d H Av E L E a r n E d a n i n va Lua b L E s E t o f s k i L L s

T H AT W I L L s E rv E m E w E L L i n t h E f u t u r E .”

h u m A n i t i e s p r O j e c t s

t h e A r t s p r O j e c t s

WaterFire Providence Internship: developing Community through the Arts in Providence, R.I.

Tina was responsible for the success and operation of an art installation — “Starry Starry Night” — that was put on during every WaterFire Providence event. She managed the progress of the installation and worked with volunteers in order to create a mesmerizing and profitable art installation for the community to enjoy.

The ‘Situation’ in Tegus: A Photographic Journey in Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Lyor created a photography project about the capital city of Honduras, Tegucigalpa, with the end goal of making a book about the city and its people — a personal journey into Tegucigalpa that can benefit both natives and foreigners.

Art Restoration Apprenticeship to Art, Media and the Effect of Human behavior in Siena, Italy

Ananya spent her summer working as an assistant to an art restorer. She helped restore 1920s-era walnut furniture and wallpaper from the Castle of San Leonino in the Tuscan countryside.

Mentoring Worcester Youth Through the Arts in Worcester, Mass.

breanna applied the knowledge of studio art practice and psychological studies to inspire young girls in Worcester, Mass. to be strong, smart and bold through the power of the arts and self expression. They tackled issues such as bullying and self respect to teach the girls to stand up for themselves and for others.

Lyor Dotan ’14 from Tegucigalpa, Honduras and Ra’anana, Israel Major: Communication and Culture Project Mentor: Stephen dirado

breanna tucker ’15 from Temecula, Calif.Majors: Psychology and Studio ArtProject Mentor: Assistant Professor Toby Sisson

tina Meetran ’15 from Providence, R.I.Major: International development and Social ChangeProject Mentor: Assistant Professor Cynthia CaronLEEP Alliance Partner: WaterFire Providence

Ananya sikand ’14 from India Majors: Studio Art and Art History Project Mentor: Elli Crocker

b u s i n e s s d e v e l O p m e n t p r O j e c t s

The Complicated Cost of Regulating Financial Institutions in New York, N.Y.

Scott explored the effects of capital regulation post-dodd Frank and basel III, as well as tradeoffs and economic spillovers that occur when financial institutions increase their capital cushions. He also looked into the implications of increased capital regulation favoring equity financing rather than debt financing.

business Modeling for Social Change in Naivasha, Kenya

Spencer worked with an international nongovernmental organization to formalize a business model for its newly acquired working farm. The goal was to create a comprehensive model so the farming enterprise could contribute to the financial sustainability of the organization.

Market Research Intern at First Washington Realty in bethesda, Md.

Asniya conducted commercial real estate research, which involved analyzing up-and-coming markets and identifying leading locations for economic and job growth. She also forecasted and tracked market trends to determine the economic drivers of the cities in which First Washington was interested in acquiring property.

Small business development through Microfinance in Sangolqui, Ecuador

Melissa worked with the Small business development program to provide free individual consultation and basic accounting services for local small businesses. Working with the Patronato — the social service branch of the town council — she helped provide a five-week course in agribusiness planning and management to around 15 community members from the semirural barrio (neighborhood) of Jatumpungo. At the end of this course, five participants were selected to take out loans.

spencer Gale ’15 from boulder, Colo.Major: International development and Social ChangeProject Mentor: Amy Whitney, director of the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program, Clark University

scott cabell ’15 from West Hartford, Conn.Major: ManagementProject Mentor: Professor Frank JenkinsAlumni Mentor: Paul Saltzman ’82

Asniya Iqbal ’14 from dhaka, bangladesh Majors: biochemistry and Economics Project Mentor: John brown

Melissa Picon ’14 from Guayaquil, Ecuador Major: Economics Project Mentor: Jude Fernando

l e e p F e l l O W i n t e r v i e W

“ b E i n g a b L E to a P P Ly my i n t E r E st I N CO M P U T E R

S C I E N C E , E x PA N d MY S O F T WA R E d E v E LO PM E N T

S K I L L S , wo r k i n a t E a m E n v i r o n m E n t, A N d H Av E T H E

A b I L I T Y TO a s k a n yo n E i wo r k E d w i t h q u E st i o n s

I S W H AT M A d E MY L E E P P ROJ ECT S O b E N E F I C I A L .

I N OW CA N TA K E E v E RY T H I N G I L E A R N E d A N d a P P Ly i t

n ot o n Ly to my Co u r s E s AT C L A R K ,

b u t a L s o to w h at E v E r i E n d u P

d o i n g a f t E r i g r a d uat E .”

Neil Orzechowski ’15 from Newport, N.H. Majors: Computer Science and Electrical EngineeringLEEP Project: Software development Internship at Axispoint in NYC Hear more from Neil: clarku.edu/software-and-cookies

t h e s c i e n c e s p r O j e c t s

From day one at Axispoint, I was treated not just as

another intern, but as an employee. I was given the

same responsibilities as everyone else on my software

development team. It really transformed the words

“effective practice” to a whole new definition for me.

With my experiences at Clark, I already knew

that communication was a very important tool

for my success. but my LEEP experience at Axispoint

taught me how to communicate much more

effectively. I learned that how well you employ

strong communication skills determines how

successful you are in the workplace.

My time at Axispoint has changed my outlook

regarding getting a job in my field of interest from

“I think I can ” to ”I know I can.” My LEEP Project

has not only given me relevant job experience in

software development, but also confidence in my

ability to apply everything I have learned and

will continue to learn at Clark.

What surprised you about your LEEP Project experience?

What is the most valuable thing you learned while doing your LEEP Project?

How has LEEP shaped your vision for what you want to do after you graduate?

h u m A n i t i e s p r O j e c t s

butterfly Effect: Allowing Students to be the Change in Ghana

delight personalized education by nurturing the talents and abilities of 36 participants, encouraging them to seek out opportunities and address needs in their communities. Participants implemented initiatives that used their abilities to solve problems.

GoodEd: A Smart Sex Ed Resource for Clark Students in Worcester, Mass.

In partnership with Clark University Choices, Clark created a sexual health resource site that provides accurate information about reproductive health, STIs and testing, healthy relationships, and consent. Using information and data from Choices encounters, peer educators, and student surveys, she learned about the sexual health behaviors of Clark students to create a public health resource, with the goal of improving individual student and overall campus health.

developing ESL Curriculum for Somali bantu Refugees in Worcester, Mass.

Kellee created a refined curriculum for working with the Somali bantu community. Through each lesson, she worked to improve verbal, writing and reading skills of the students and established a foundation that would let them continue to develop those skills in their everyday lives.

Photo voice Research: Telling the Stories of Nepali dalit Women

Cecelia worked on “photo voice” research in a village in Nepal. She and bhumika Regmi ‘14 stayed with a “dalit” community for four weeks and interacted with 10 women who shared their stories through pictures taken with disposable cameras. The dalit women’s pictures will be compiled into a photo book, to be used by Empowering dalit Women of Nepal (EdWON) for promotional and fundraising activities.

Delight Gavor ’16 from Accra, GhanaMajor: Psychology Project Mentor: Assistant Professor Seana Moran

kellee kosiorek ’14from Enfield, N.H.Major: PsychologyProject Mentor: Assistant Professor Marianne Sarkis

cecelia Rana ’14 from Kathmandu, NepalMajor: Political Science Project Mentor: bill Fisher

clark valentine jackson ’14 from College Park, Md. Major: ChemistryProject Mentor: Ernest Krygier

t h e s c i e n c e s p r O j e c t s

yadana khin ’15 from Yangon, MyanmarMajor: biochemistry and Molecular biologyProject Mentor: Assistant Professor Joseph Tang

Imaging Molecular Structures with Atomic Force Microscopy in Worcester, Mass.

Unurbat and Tyler Flanagan ‘14 repaired the Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and wrote a user manual on using AFM. They also scanned “Synthetic Polymers” and collaborated with professors Sergio Granados and Luis Smith to produce their topographic images by AFM.

Physiology of the marine bacterium Roseobacter denitrificans under carbon and nitrogen starvation in Worcester, Mass.

Clive worked on growing photosynthetic bacteria in various carbon and nitrogen sources. Photosynthetic bacteria can use solar energy (free and abundant) to produce biofuel and alternative energy (H2, NH4+, etc.), so they are good candidates for producing sustainable energy.

Utilizing High-Powered Lab Machinery to Analyze the Structure of Photosynthetic Nanorods in Taipei, Taiwan

Yadana used an in-depth understanding of biochemistry and a solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, as well as an understanding of specific processes involved in photosynthesis and the functioning of chlorosomes, to analyze the internal structure of the chlorosome with its densely packed photosynthetic pigments.

Software development Internship at Axispoint in NYC

Neil worked on a very small development team where he developed Web services in an agile, test-driven environment, working closely with the team lead and senior architect as well as the other team members. He implemented and unit-tested RESTful Web services in Java using Spring (application programming interface), Hibernate (object-relational mapping) and MySql (a relational database), where the implementation was based around unified modeling language designs written by the architect.

unurbat Erdenemunkh ’13 from Ulaanbaatar, MongoliaMajor: Physics Minor: MathProject Mentor: Michael boyer

clive Green ’14 from Portmore, JamaicaMajor: biochemistryProject Mentor: Joseph Tang

Neil Orzechowski ’15 from Newport, N.H.Major: Computer Science and Electrical EngineeringProject Mentor: John Magee

t h e s O c i A l s c i e n c e s p r O j e c t s

Examining Male Activists Against Sexual violence in Accra, Ghana

Amira conducted research on boys’ and men’s roles against sexual violence in Ghana (whether individually or within an organization), their impact, problems that have arisen, and what can be done to further their influence on this issue in the future.

Community Advocacy While Using Geographic Information Systems in Rosario da Limeira, Minas Gerais, brazil

Savannah partnered with two other GIS specialists to support the rehabilitation and expansion of the brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. They worked with a local nonprofit and created a Web-based GIS application showing human and environmental information on an interactive map of a rural area buffering the Serra do brigadeiro state park, which was presented to local government officials.

Spatial Analysis of Home Health Care Quality, Costs and Risk Assessment Throughout Southern New England in Marlborough, Mass.

Anastassios has conducted spatial analysis on home health care quality and costs throughout Southern New England with the visiting Nurse Association of New England (vNANE). The project’s goal is to find correlations between the two major variables, and to speculate areas that are at high risk of developing chronic diseases. If the results turn out to be significant, then home health agencies would advocate changes in policy.

Researching the benefits of Microcredit for Those Who Need It in dhaka, bangladesh

Shalmalee spent her days in dhaka learning about microcredit from her employer, the Grameen Trust, and spent her evenings after work learning about the same from locals. For her senior thesis, she is looking forward to researching the impact of microcredit on the consumption behavior of microcredit beneficiaries.

Amira Al-Dasouqi ’15 from Memphis, Tenn.Major: Political ScienceProject Mentor: Assistant Professor Ora Szekely

savannah cooley ’16 from Santa barbara, Calif.Major: EconomicsProject Mentor: Associate Professor John RoganAlumni Mentor: Josh Plisinski ’09

shalmalee Ghate ’15 from Mangalore, IndiaMajor: EconomicsProject Mentor: Assistant Professor Mark Rockmore

Anastassios Dardas ’14 from Worcester, Mass.Major: GeographyProject Mentor: John Rogan

“ MY L E E P P ROJ ECT H E L P E d i m P r ov E my u n d E r sta n d i n g

o f t h E P r o b L E m s FAC E d bY I N d I v I d UA L S F RO M A L L Ov E R

T H E WO R L d, E s P E C i a L Ly t h o s E L i v i n g i m P ov E r i s h E d

L i v E s . i t a L s o g av E m E i n s i g h t i n to my f u t u r E C a r E E r

Pat h . W I T H O U T T H I S P ROJ ECT, I WO U L d N OT H Av E H A d

S U C H A g r E at o P P o rt u n i t y to E x P E r i m E n t W I T H MY

F U T U R E CA R E E R P RO S P ECTS U N T I L A F T E R G R A d UAT I O N .”

shalmalee Ghate ’15 from Mangalore, India Major: EconomicsLEEP Project: “Researching the benefits of Microcredit For Those Who Need It” in dhaka, bangladesh

b u s i n e s s d e v e l O p m e n t p r O j e c t s

G E T T H E R E T U R NyO u wA N t

91%of our 2013 undergrads are employed or in graduate school a year after graduationbased on a 72% knowledge rate

c L A R k A L u M N I s u c c E s s s t O R I E s

Elena Zhizhimontova ‘14 software Engineer amazon.com

Ron shaich ‘76 founder, Chairman, Co-CEo Panera bread

Andrea-Guy soh, M.A. ‘06, Peace & sustainability officer , usaid

Megan Rosa ‘06, m.a. Ed. ’07teacher, university Park Campus school

u N D E R G R A D u At EstoriEs

G R A D u At EstoriEs

L i k e y o u , w e s e e h i g h e r e d u c a t i o n a s a n i n v e s t m e n t   —  you invest in us and we invest in you.

Clark University graduates work for great organizations and attend some of the best graduate schools in the world. But don’t take our word for it.

Listen to our students.

visit clarku.edu/return-on-education

s u s tA i n A b i l i t y p r O j e c t s

Investigating on the Economic Impact of Winter 2013-2014 Polar vortex in Hanover, N.H.

Ethan investigated the economic and meteorological implications of the winter 2013-2014 polar vortex for the Climate Institute’s Center for Environmental Leadership and Training Headquarters. He coordinated and placed more than 100 virtual interns on team projects, organized a recruitment event, and designed and edited the Center’s newsletter.

A Student’s Eye view of Campus Efficiency in Worcester, Mass.

Eli worked on an effort to aid Clark University’s approach to energy efficiency. various research databases, interviews with faculty members and Physical Plant employees, and audits of buildings all over campus were instrumental in completing his project, which took a quick turn when his concept of ‘The Energy Saver Calendar’ was awarded a grant by the U.S. Green building Council.

Researching Spruce beetle and Fire Interactions in High-Elevation Forests in Colorado

Mary took part in the research of the possible feedbacks between wildfires and spruce beetle outbreaks in the subalpine forests of Colorado. She took initiative in the research data collection while succeeding in the harsh conditions of the wilderness.

Mapping Livelihood vulnerability to Mineral Extraction in Madre de dios Peru in Worcester, Mass.

Zoe is using GIS data and analysis to map livelihood vulnerability to mineral mining in Madre de dios, Peru, located in the lowland forest of southern Peru bordering brazil and bolivia. vulnerability mapping includes the identification of local hazards as well as the potential/risk for a specified community to experience harm from identified hazards.

Ethan forauer ’15 from Hanover, N.H.Major: Environmental ScienceProject Mentor: Associate Professor Chris Williams and John Topping, President of the Climate Institute

Mary Molloy ’17 from Agawam, Mass.Major: GeographyProject Mentor: Associate Professor dominik Kulakowski

Eli Goldman ’16 from Northampton, Mass.Major: Global Environmental StudiesProject Mentor: Jenny Isler, Sustainability Coordinator, Clark University

Zoe Ritter ’14 from Setauket, N.Y.Major: Geography Project Mentor: John Rogan

w h E N w I L L yO u h Av E

yO u R c L A R k M O M E N t ?

Greg french ’18 Major: biology, Pre-Medvarsity Soccer Athlete

clarku.edu/visit

“ i wa s E n j oy i n g Lu n C h i n t h E C a f E t E r i a a n d t h E n

wa L k E d i n to t h E u .C . to s E E s o m a n y st u d E n t C Lu b s

r E P r E s E n t E d. i r E a L i z E d a L L t h E ot h E r s C h o o L s i wa s

Lo o k i n g at d i d n ’ t h av E t h i s E n E r gy a n d d i v E r s i t y.

t h At ’ s w h E N I k N E w c L A R k wA s w h E R E I wA N t E D tO b E .”