Professional Staff

Derrick Hicks joined the Clark community in 2019 and currently serves as the Associate Director of Residential Life & Housing. The Associate Director works closely with the Director of Campus Life for Residential Life & Housing to provide a supportive living/learning environment for the students living on-campus. The Associate Director of Residential Life & Housing directly supervises the four professional Hall Directors in efforts to direct both strategic long term initiatives and the operational requirements of the residential experience. This position utilizes collaborative methods and strategic plans to ensure robust leadership development, trainings and programming opportunities for students and staff within the Residential Life & Housing department.

Derrick is a native New Yorker, born and raised in the Bronx, but has also lived in Middletown, NY and New York City. He received his B.A. from Purchase College, and his M.S. from The University of Indianapolis. Derrick enjoys a great laugh, beautiful views, family time, listening to music, playing video games or board games, trying new adventures and new foods, DIY projects and helping others.

Drew Melendez joined the Clark University team in February of 2019 as a Hall Director & Multicultural Engagement Coordinator. As a Hall Director, Drew is responsible for overseeing and managing the day-to-day operations and development of Johnson Sanford Center and the RLH Houses on Main Street and Woodland Street.

Drew grew up in northern New Jersey and received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from William Paterson University of New Jersey. They recently completed their M.S. in Counseling and College Student Personnel. They love coffee, cats, cooking, and alliteration.

Jazzy joined the Clark University team in July 2019 as one of four Hall Directors. As a Hall Director, Jazzy is responsible for overseeing and managing the day-to-day operations and development of Bullock, Dana, and Dodd Halls.

Jazzy is a proud native of Baltimore, Maryland. She has a BA in English from McDaniel College and a MS in Counseling- College Student Personnel from Shippensburg University. In her spare time she loves to read anything she can get her hands on and binge watch television shows on Netflix. She is obsessed with Broadway musicals but her all-time favorite is Phantom of the Opera.

Mae joined the RLH team in August 2020 as one of four Hall Directors. As a Hall Director, Mae is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations and development of Wright Hall and Hughes Hall. Originally from Massachusetts, Mae graduated with an M.A. in Higher & Postsecondary Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior to that, she served with the AmeriCorps program City Year Los Angeles and graduated with a BA in English from Saint Anselm College. Mae is happy to return to Massachusetts and enjoys spending time with family and friends and exploring the city of Worcester.