Ferlin Clark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ferlin Clark
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Clark in 2007
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| Alma mater | Fort Lewis College (BA), Harvard University (MEd), University of Arizona (PhD) |
| Title | President of Bacone College |
| Term | 2018–2022 |
| Predecessor | Franklin Willis |
| Successor | Nicky Michael |
Ferlin Clark is an American educator and leader in schools. He is a member of the Navajo Nation, also known as the Dine people. He currently helps improve schools for the Dine Education Department. From 2018 to 2022, he was the president of Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
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Ferlin Clark's Early Life and Learning
Ferlin Clark grew up as a member of the Navajo (Dine) Nation. His hometown is Crystal, New Mexico.
His College Degrees
Clark went to Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. In 1988, he earned a bachelor's degree in English communications. Later, in 1992, he received a master's degree in education from Harvard University. He continued his studies and earned a doctoral degree in American Indian studies from the University of Arizona in 2009.
Ferlin Clark's Career Journey
Early in his career, Ferlin Clark taught history and geography. He taught these subjects at Navajo Preparatory School.
Leadership at Diné College
In 1999, Clark became a vice president at Diné College. He later became the temporary president of the college in 2003. By 2004, he was officially the president. He left this role in 2010 due to concerns about how staff were treated. Marie Etsitty then became the temporary president.
After leaving Diné College, Clark worked for the Navajo Nation. He was an executive staff assistant to the Navajo Nation Vice President, Rex Lee Jim.
He also served as the Assistant Secretary of Indian Education for New Mexico. He held this position from 2012 to 2014.
Leading Bacone College
In April 2018, Ferlin Clark became the new president of Bacone College. He took over from Franklin Willis. While he was president, Bacone College worked to become a college connected to Native American tribes. This was to help the college become more financially stable.
Under Clark's leadership, several tribes officially supported the college. These included the Osage Nation, the Kiowa Tribe, the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, the Otoe–Missouria Tribe of Indians, and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians. The college also made changes to its money management during his time. Part of these changes involved stopping some sports programs, like football and wrestling.
In 2022, Clark took a leave from Bacone College. Nicky Michael then became the temporary president.
Current Role
Today, Ferlin Clark works as an administrator. He is part of the Office of Dine School Improvement within the Department of Dine Education. He helps make schools better for the Dine people.
Clark has also been a member of the College Board. He served as a vice president and later as a secretary for the American Indian Higher Education Consortium.
Ferlin Clark's Family Life
Ferlin Clark is married to his wife, Gwen.
