Clark University, Worcester Public Schools Formalize Decades-Long Partnership

Creating More Early College Opportunities

By-Hank Stolz
Photos-Clark University, Graphic-Radio Worcester

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Worcester, MA-Clark University and Worcester Public Schools have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding, formalizing a partnership that has been developing for decades. Dean of the College Laurie Ross spoke with Hank Stolz on the Talk of the Commonwealth and outlined three primary areas of focus under the agreement: the expansion of the University Park Scholars program, early college opportunities, and pre-K through 12 STEM outreach. The University Park Scholars program builds on an existing tuition-free scholarship for students living in the neighborhoods surrounding Clark University. “We have welcomed nine new students from the neighborhood this year as part of the University Park Scholarship.” said Ross.

The new initiative creates a formal cohort identity among scholarship recipients and establishes dedicated experiential learning funding to ensure financial barriers do not prevent students from pursuing internships or community projects. The partnership also deepens existing connections between Clark and Worcester Public Schools educators, “There are hundreds of Clarkies teaching in the Worcester public schools… teachers in the Worcester public schools can take courses at Clark for free, as professional development.” said Ross.

All Worcester Public School teachers are eligible to take Clark courses free of charge as professional development, with teachers at partner schools able to take up to six courses at no cost. Worcester Public School teachers also contribute to Clark’s Masters of Teaching program, creating a reciprocal relationship between the two institutions. STEM engagement efforts extend to the youngest learners, with programming designed to build scientific confidence and identity from the earliest grades. Additional opportunities in theater, psychology, gaming, and civic engagement are also available through Clark’s summer and community programs. “The focus is fun… how do we start as young as possible making science, technology, engineering and mathematics… fun, break down the fear and build some of that quantitative and scientific literacy.” said Ross.

To ensure accountability and follow-through, leadership from both institutions meet monthly to coordinate efforts and maintain communication across all areas of the agreement.

Ross concludes by telling us the MOU “…represents an opportunity for us to connect students to students, teachers to teachers, and our commitment to Main South and this kind of evolving effort to have a really vital neighborhood.”