The Clark LGBTQ+ Alumni Association is committed to the integration of personal and community power to affirm, liberate, support, and celebrate LGBTQ+ Clarkies. We aim to build solidarity among LGBTQ+ Clark alumni and students, to provide positive experiences and brave spaces on and off campus, and to advocate for current LGBTQ+ Clark students.
The group strives to:
- Uplift the voices of LGBTQ+ Clarkies with multiple, intersecting identities
- Unite LGBTQ+ Clarkies across generations to learn from and grow in our understanding of each other’s lived experiences
- Host networking and community-building events
- Provide opportunities for virtual events targeting LGBTQ+ Clarkies across the globe
- Mentor LGBTQ+ students and young alumni
- Provide opportunities for continuing education regarding LGBTQ+ issues
- Organize opportunities to connect at Pride and LGBTQ+ affiliated events
Read more about the group and how they are helping LGBTQ+ alumni connect on ClarkNOW.
Our leaders
Katie Bogen ’15
CLAA Co-Leader
Lawson H. Dunford ’23, MBA ’24
CLAA Co-Leader
Vladi Highland ’16, Psy.D.
CLAA Co-Leader
Jennifer Laponte ’16
CLAA Co-Leader
Gianfranco (Gian) Cornejo Gizzi
CLAA Co-Leader
Chris S. Juliani ’93 (she/her)
CLAA Co-Leader
Danielle Strandson ’14 ’15 (she/her)
CLAA Co-Leader
Ask questions and get involved
For any general questions, please email us at claa@clarku.edu. Interested in opportunities for engagement: joining CLAA as a leader, assisting with programming, or receiving community-specific emails and updates? Fill out the Alumni Intake Form or send it to fellow alumni who might be a good fit!
Update your info
Clark recognizes that community members change names and pronouns for a variety of reasons. Whether you have recently changed names and or have received something from Clark identifying you incorrectly, please fill out this form so that our records can better reflect who you are and the way you would like to be identified.
Featured Programs and Events
Throughout the year, the CLAA hosts a variety of events, both in-person and virtually. Recent events include:
- “Ghouls and Clam: A Spooky Night with Clark” Halloween-themed event in Boston, MA
- “Queer Theory, Modernism, and the Pleasure of Eating,” a virtual discussion with Professor Elizabeth Blake on her new book, “Edible Arrangements: Modernism’s Queer Forms.” (View the recording)
- Alumni & Friends Virtual Book Club with Featured Book: “She’s Not There: A Life in Two Genders” by Jennifer Finney-Boylan, in honor of LGBT History Month
- Providence Pride Meetup at the Malted Barley and Illuminated Pride Parade
- Lavender Graduation
- LGBTQ+ Reception at Reunion Weekend
- Out in Careers Panel with the Office of Identity, Student Engagement, and Access and Career Connections
- Alumni & Friends Book Club celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month with Professor Jed Samer on their book: “Lesbian Potentiality and Feminist Media in the 1970s” (View the recording)
- Worcester Pride Week Wine Tasting
- A Q&A with Abbie Goldberg, Ph.D. on LGBTQ+ family building (View the recording)
- Highlights of Clark’s LGBTQ+ Heritage featuring Professor Robert Tobin (View the recording)
Recent Events
