Meet the Staff

Shalyn “Shay” Hopley Malko (she/her) is a Clark alum! When she was a Clarkie, Shay studied English and Management, as well as spending time as a resident assistant, member of student council, and president of the Stitch Club. Shay is a local Massachusetts resident, growing up in the suburbs of Worcester with her 4 younger siblings (2 of which were born when Shay was in college).

Shay is passionate about people’s authentic stories and how our stories can shape and change the world around us. Shay sees her work in Academic Support & Care to be in service of students’ stories. She is here to listen deeply to students, to witness how identity, lived experience, perspective, and circumstance all show up in their day to day lives, to advocate when students need support, and to affirm students’ experiences. Shay loves the work she does in Academic Support & Care because she gets to blend equity and empathy, stories and education together!

In addition to her degree from Clark, Shay has a degree from the University of Connecticut in Higher Education and Student Affairs and she is currently pursuing a PhD in higher education at the University of Massachusetts Boston (which is why she is not in her office on Fridays)! Shay has experience working in residence life, graduate education, women and gender centers, dean of students’ offices, and more.

Shay loves cats. She loses games to her partner regularly and is an avid but substandard crafter. She likes spending time with loved ones (especially over food) and taking walks outside. She always is prepared to make tea or coffee and hopes you come in to talk with her!

Mileiry “Milly” De La Cruz (she/her) currently serves as the Associate Director of Academic Support and Care. Milly is a first-generation Dominican American who was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island.

Milly’s life experiences as a low-income, first-generation college student inspired her to work in the field of higher education and help college students thrive both personally and academically. She understands how challenging it is to balance multiple responsibilities while pursuing a college degree, which is why she is thrilled to be working in the Office of Academic Support and Care to help eliminate barriers to our students’ education. She is someone who considers herself an empathetic leader and always strives to create a safe space for all students.

Milly earned an Associate of Arts degree in General Studies from the Community College of Rhode Island, a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Rhode Island College, and a Master’s degree in Higher Education from Providence College.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, going out to eat, and going to spas!

Della Burke (she/her) is currently the Assistant Director of Academic Support & Care. She came to Clark in July 2022 from the University of New Hampshire after completing an M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology, her research examined LGBTQIA+ student experiences on campus. She has previously served as an instructor, teaching assistant, and career advisor.

Della is passionate about contributing to students’ success by empowering them to make informed decisions about their educational journeys. She believes that access to higher education is vital and feels lucky to play a part in Clark students’ experiences. Della’s favorite part of the day is when she gets to meet with students, come say hello!

In her free time, Della enjoys baking, playing games, and anything New England sports-related.

Lauren Cyr (she/her) is the Assistant Director of Academic Support & Care. Lauren has been a part of the Clark community for over 10 years having graduated with a B.A. in 2014 and an M.A. in 2015. She has held various academic support positions at Clark and within the Worcester community, serving as a G.E.D. instructor, a teaching assistant, a writing consultant, and a student success advisor.

Lauren is also a Ph.D. Candidate in the History Department, where she examines historical understandings of “student” as an identity, and its intersections with race, class, and gender in higher education in the United States. Her historical research interests influence her present-day teaching and activism, as she enjoys working one-on-one with students to explore strategies that make them feel empowered over their academic journey.

In her free time, Lauren should be working on her dissertation, but is often found taking a generous coffee or tea break with a fiction book instead.