Jamarco Clark has been named the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of Illinois Springfield. He will serve as vice chancellor-designate until formally approved by the Board of Trustees.
Clark comes to UIS from the University of Iowa where he currently serves as assistant dean of students and director of leadership and engagement. In that role, he oversees the Office of Student Engagement and Campus Programs; the Office of Leadership, Service and Civic Engagement; and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life on campus.
“Clark’s commitment to student success, his cooperative approach to working with others and his experience leading initiatives in the diversity, equity and inclusion space were all notable strengths identified by the search committee and the UIS campus at-large during his interview process,” said UIS Chancellor Janet L. Gooch. “We are extremely fortunate to have him joining our team. Our students will certainly benefit from his strong leadership and experience.”
At UIS, Clark will manage the Student Affairs division, which includes Athletics, Campus Recreation, the Career Development Center, the Counseling Center, Disability Services, the Diversity Center, Food Services, Gender and Sexuality Student Services, Greek Life, Health Services, Military and Veteran Student Services, International Student Services, Residence Life, Student Life, the Student Union, the Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center and the Women’s Center.
“I am honored and humbled to have been selected as the next Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at UIS,” Clark said. “I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Chancellor Gooch and the search committee for entrusting me with this crucial position. I was particularly drawn to this role because of the university's unwavering commitment to providing a gateway to opportunities for students. Student Affairs will play a critical role in helping students recognize and capitalize on the many opportunities available to them. I look forward to collaborating with our talented staff to create an exceptional student experience that supports their academic, personal and professional growth.”
At the University of Iowa, Clark helped to create a student dialogue initiative that encourages students to engage in difficult dialogue with peers, an extension of the Mindful and Engaged Hawkeyes Initiative he developed encouraging students to be civically engaged in the Iowa community and beyond. He has managed a budget focused on student engagement and strategic priorities, worked collaboratively with athletics and helped to raise over $1 million for the University of Iowa Dance Marathon.
Before serving in his current role, Clark worked as director of student life at Indian Hills Community College. He started his career in higher education as an admission counselor at Coe College, where he later served as an assistant football coach. Next, he worked as a residence hall director at Truman State University, then as area coordinator for residence life and director of volunteerism and service-learning at Mount Mercy University.
Clark has a doctorate in student affairs administration and leadership from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, a master’s degree in strategic leadership from Mount Mercy University and a bachelor’s degree in educational foundations from Iowa Wesleyan University.
He is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, serves as board vice president of The African American Museum of Iowa and is a governor-appointment commissioner for the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service.
Clark is expected to start his appointment at UIS on June 12.