2 min read March 2024 — In an interview with Invest:, Agenia Walker Clark, president of Fisk University, detailed growth strategies focusing on its campus master plan and the Roland G. Parrish Center for Career Planning and Development, aimed at enhancing student career paths. She emphasized the crucial integration of technology across campus and the importance of balancing academic and athletic pursuits, notably spotlighting the first HBCU women’s gymnastics program ever created and the Grammy-award winning FiskJubilee Singers.
You were named president in September 2023. What have been the highlights so far and what is your vision for the university?
My time at Fisk University so far has been incredibly exciting. I am deeply impressed by the exceptional quality of our students, faculty, and staff. Their dedication to learning and scholarship creates a vibrant educational environment; however, a significant challenge remains: the need for economic wealth to sustain and enhance these outcomes for another 150 years. I’m optimistic about Fisk’s future, envisioning at minimum another century and a half of excellence and impact.
What are your strategies to support growth in enrollment?
Our response to enrollment growth involves developing a comprehensive campus master plan to guide our expansion and modernization efforts. We’re drawing on current insights to finalize this plan. A highlight of our recent developments is the new Roland G. Parish Center for Career Planning and Development, a career center created to meet the increasing demand for student internships and post-graduation employment opportunities. This facility symbolizes the practical support we offer our students, ensuring their education leads to meaningful professional outcomes. It also serves as a hub for businesses, students, and community leaders to collaborate on professional development, demonstrating Fisk’s proactive approach to accommodate growth and enhance student success.
What is Fisk University’s strategic focus, particularly regarding its location in Greater Tennessee?
Currently, my focus has been largely internal, as I’m relatively new here and have aimed to understand our internal assets comprehensively. This internal focus is crucial for us to effectively engage with external opportunities, determining how our students and institution can contribute to and benefit from regional growth. Although I don’t have a detailed external strategy yet, I’m beginning to explore how we can align our strengths with external growth, particularly in providing resources for our students to engage with these opportunities. As my time at Fisk progresses, our strategies and involvement in regional growth will further develop.
How is Fisk University planning to incorporate technological advancements into its programs and infrastructure?
Technology integration is a core component of our campus master plan, which is focused initially on evaluating our current infrastructure’s capacity to support future innovations. This plan involves identifying technological gaps and planning for future needs to ensure we can achieve our long-term goals. The development of our campus master plan involves collaboration between academia and professionals in architectural design, engineering, and development, aiming for outcomes that benefit all stakeholders. Our goal is to ensure that our technological capabilities today are not just adequate but are strategically aligned to meet the future aspirations of our faculty, staff, and students.
How does Fisk University support the balance between academic and athletic commitments for student athletes?
Fisk University is lucky to boast an exceptional athletic director, Valencia Jordan, who brings a wealth of experience to our athletic programs. A notable highlight for many is our distinction as the first HBCU to offer a NCAA women’s gymnastics program, sparking considerable interest and inquiries into athletics at Fisk. It’s crucial for our athletic director and me to ensure that academics remain the primary focus for our students, followed by their athletic pursuits. This approach prepares them for their future careers, regardless of their field. Moreover, I find it fascinating that the Fisk Jubilee Singers, akin to a traditional athletic program, attract students who hope to audition and join. This blend of academic training and extracurricular activities prepares students for their next life stage, whether they are athletes or Fisk Jubilee Singers.
How does Fisk University envision its role in the future of social justice for African American students?
The story of Fisk University’s impact and its future in social justice is best illustrated by our growing interest among youth. This year, over 14,000 young people expressed interest in joining us, a significant increase from last year’s 7,000. This surge reflects Fisk’s foundational history of creating a sense of family and belonging, a place for academic exploration and acceptance. Fisk’s unwavering mission to provide a competitive, quality education while fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment continues to make us relevant. Our 158-year presence on the same 39 acres stands as a testament to our ongoing commitment to serve, elevate our mission, and contribute to social justice and beyond.
Can you elaborate on Fisk University’s community engagement efforts and collaborations?
At Fisk University, our collaborations extend across the campus, notably through the John Lewis Center for Social Justice. For example, our leadership and students organize hackathons to delve into pressing social justice issues, producing valuable data and research that benefit the wider community. This epitomizes the essential role of higher education institutions: to serve as a beacon of academic excellence, expertise, and a resource for actionable information. Our engagement spans various domains, including artificial intelligence and the arts, ensuring our presence is felt and valued. By integrating our experts into more community discussions and panels, we aim to enhance our contribution and foster stronger partnerships.
What steps is Fisk University taking to ensure accessibility for all students?
Fisk University prides itself on being exceptionally open and accessible. Our campus welcomes everyone, as illustrated by an early morning encounter with a German family eager to explore Fisk, highlighting our role as a welcoming, historic symbol of Nashville. This openness reflects our commitment to accessibility and the importance of making our institution available to all, underscored by our ability to attract international visitors even in the most unexpected moments.
What are your top priorities for Fisk University and your perspective on Nashville’s higher education for the next two to three years?
Our immediate focus is finalizing and implementing a campus master plan, a critical step in ensuring Fisk University’s relevance and impact for the next 150 years and beyond. This initiative underscores Fisk’s commitment to longevity and excellence. Furthermore, the collaborative spirit among Middle Tennessee’s higher education leaders, including shared support and understanding of our unique contributions, enriches our community. Our collective efforts, underpinned by a shared Nashville brand, aim to highlight the distinct offerings of each institution, reinforcing the strength and diversity of our educational landscape.
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