Clarke Welcomes the Incoming Class of 2025
Clarke has welcomed 240 new students to campus to begin the 2025-2026 academic year. The incoming class is composed of students from 37 states and 14 countries.
As part of CU Conference, the opening workshop for Clarke employees, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Affairs, Callie Clark, shared some of the facts that define this new generation of students. Born between 2005-2007, technology is a crucial part of their education and social experience. These individuals have never known a world without Google, Bluetooth headphones, or the iPhone.
While the influence of technology on their lives is undeniable, they are a generation that also seeks social connection.
“Their adolescence was shaped by the COVID pandemic, along with political unrest and social justice initiatives. They expect to be seen as individuals while operating as a community” Callie said.
For this generation, respect is earned through authenticity, fairness, and consistency, not demanded by hierarchy. They expect teachers to be mentors, advisors, career guides and connect classroom learning to real-world applications. That’s an experience that Clarke’s Core Values and small size can offer them; we can create those personal connections that make all the difference.
Adapting to meet students’ needs
Clarke has a long history of close-knit community, and the new ‘Move the Needle’ project promises to nurture and grow that culture. This donor-funded initiative with the higher education consulting firm Credo aims to drive retention rates for the university. Some of the focus areas include identifying gaps in student progress, more efficient resource allocation for student and employee success, and greater cross-campus collaboration.
“This partnership has big outcomes, and it will take the whole village to accomplish,” Callie said. “This project will put student success and retention at the center of data-informed decisions for all that we do at Clarke, helping us strengthen and sharpen effective existing strategies and develop new ones.”
We are thrilled to welcome Clarke’s newest students! Want to support their journey from day one? Invest in their future by making a gift at clarke.edu/donate.