Experiential Learning
Turn ideas into action
At Clark, you’ll test your ideas in the field, build prototypes in the lab, partner with cities and nonprofits, present original research, and see how theory behaves under real pressure. Your education becomes something you can question, revise, and use. Here, you can begin making your mark in the world.
Tackle problems that don’t have easy answers
Improving access to education
Political science major, Turna Barua ’26 grew up appreciating the beauty and cultural heritage —but also the stark economic disparities of her family’s home in Rangamati, Bangladesh.
She saw parents working to give their children better lives, while never getting the chance to pursue their own education.
Supported by a Projects for Peace grant, Turna developed and launched an education initiative called Egiye Jao, or Go Ahead, offering evening classes in math and English to parents in Rangamati.
Turna recruited local college students to serve as program teachers, training them in culturally sensitive communication practices and peace-building facilitation.
Because many of the 45 participants came from challenging financial backgrounds, the program supported their learning with food, compensation, and school supplies to take home to their children.
In addition to providing access to education, Turna created a space for people to feel seen, heard, and valued.
Ella Christie ’27 joined Geography Professor Karen Frey and her team on a polar research expedition aboard the CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier, to study rapidly changing Arctic ecosystems through the Distributed Biological Observatory.
For his senior thesis, film studies major, Zeke Fairley ’25 wrote and directed the short film “Cabin Boy,” exploring the perils of anger and isolation.
Computer science major, makerspace student leader, and undergraduate researcher in the Laboratory for Intelligent Perceptual Systems, Solan Homestead ’27 worked on a team that developed ResQMe, a disaster-zone communications system.
Abigail Riseman ’26 and Julia Head ’26 survey tree health to help mitigate urban heat islands, through Clark’s Human-Environment Regional Observatory (HERO) program.
Experiential learning at Clark
In addition to a rigorous educational environment, all students complete at least two experiential learning opportunities before graduating.
- Internships
- Community-based learning
- Undergraduate research and creative work
- Study abroad
- Student employment
- Leadership
Make something that doesn’t exist yet
Imagine virtual worlds
Starting their second year until graduation, interactive media: game design and development majors work as part of a game studio team with various departments, leads, development infrastructure, and real-world demands.
A team of interactive media majors developed Menticide, an adventure game that serves as an analog for mental health.
Sarina Talerico ’27, a computer science and data science major, builds an expressive animatronic robot head for research within Embodied AI.
Wynne Dromey ’25, a studio art and marketing major, creates work shaped by community, identity, and advocacy.
Drifter Devolution, a game developed by students in the Game Studio course.
Cecilia Chaves works in Julio D’Arcy’s lab to develop synthetic polymers for future use in energy storage materials, water harvesting, pH and temperature sensors, and medical devices.
Best Schools in Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects
of students engage in world and workplace experience
Best Schools for Making an Impact, Princeton Review
Share your work with the world
ePortfolio
Track your growth and demonstrate the critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills you acquired during your Clark Experience.
ClarkFEST
Present and discuss your latest research and creative projects at ClarkFEST, our twice-yearly showcase of student work.
Biology major, Carter Peterson ’26 conducted research in the golden oyster mushroom’s impact on fungal biodiversity, exploring how it “outcompetes” for terrain. Carter presented at ClarkFEST and the Mycological Society of America conference, where the work earned Best Undergraduate Poster.
Turn experience into direction
Gabe Spindel ’23, MBA ’24 earned a degree through Clark’s 4+1 Accelerated Master’s, which provides an opportunity to earn a pathway to a master’s degree — with one year of additional study and available tuition scholarships.
While still at Clark, Gabe interned as a project coordinator for an engineering consulting firm and was offered a full-time position in Washington, D.C. He now works as a Senior IT Project Manager for a S&P 500 real estate capital corporation.
students earn both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years through our 4+1 accelerated degree offering
of Clark grads are employed, in school, or engaged in community service within six months after graduation
of Clark alumni find their current job meaningful
Be a force for change.
Come study at a small research university with a strong liberal arts core.
- Undergraduate
- Graduate
Still curious? Request more information.