{"id":28325,"date":"2026-05-13T12:35:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T16:35:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/?post_type=story&p=28325"},"modified":"2026-05-13T14:20:26","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T18:20:26","slug":"clarkies-honored-for-commitment-to-inclusive-excellence","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/13\/clarkies-honored-for-commitment-to-inclusive-excellence\/","title":{"rendered":"Clarkies honored for commitment to inclusive excellence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n

Advancing inclusive excellence means being willing to ask difficult questions\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Three members of the Clark community have been recognized for advancing equity and inclusion on campus and in the Worcester community, including through research on genocide and institutional accountability, leading initiatives for mentoring programs and leadership training, and fostering inclusive, student-centered spaces for growth and support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recipients of the 2026 President\u2019s Achievement Awards for Inclusive Excellence<\/a> are Anahit Marutyan \u201929, Laura Burgess, assistant dean, academic and student services in the School of Business, and Naomi Ashley, assistant director, programming and first generation student support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Awardees designate a $1,500 gift to a program or department of their choice, supporting Clark\u2019s shared commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity. Burgess\u2019 gift will be directed to the School of Business Student Success Fund and Ashley\u2019s gift will support the MOSAIC Collective and the First-Gen Working Group. Marutyan is also receiving the Distinguished Award for Inclusive Excellence, which includes a $1,000 gift for the awardee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Members of the Clark community can nominate undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff, student organizations, campus offices, departments, centers, academic or administrative programs, and Clark partnerships within the broader Worcester community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anahit Marutyan \u201929<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Anahit Marutyan \u201929<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Marutyan, who majors in political science<\/a> and international development and social change<\/a>, is a Presidential Scholar interested in how legal and policy systems can be designed to be more fair, transparent, and effective, and plans to pursue a career in law. In her first year, she has earned Dean\u2019s List First Academic Honors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marutyan currently serves on the Worcester Human Rights Commission, where she collaborates with local government on issues related to policy and accountability. On campus, she is a Student Ambassador in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, vice president of the Student Alumni Relations Committee, and a member of the Pre-Law Society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n