Q&A with Elizabeth Clark: Former student returns to familiar ground at the John D. O’Bryant African American Institute

“Miss Liz” — as the students call her — returned to Northeastern in 2019 to become associate director of student leadership and global engagement at the institute.

Headshot of Cyrus Moulton
by
Headshot of Elizabeth Clark.
Elizabeth Clark is associate director of student leadership and global engagement at the John D. O’Bryant African-American Institute. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

As a student at Northeastern “many moons ago,” Elizabeth Clark worked at the John D. O’Bryant African American Institute on the Boston campus, engaging with students, running workshops and doing the myriad behind-the-scenes work that makes the institute such an important part of university life.

After a successful, 25-year career at Roxbury Community College, “Miss Liz” (as the students call her) returned in 2019, forgoing retirement to become associate director of student leadership and global engagement at the institute. 

Clark says she has seen a lot of change at Northeastern since she first worked at the university. Indeed, the institute has a new building, and dorms and classroom buildings have sprouted among the surrounding parking lots.

But Clark’s passion for helping students at the institute excel has not changed.

Clark sat down with Northeastern Global News to discuss this passion — along with her love of traveling, the best place to get a corned beef or pastrami sandwich in Boston and her famous candied yams. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

Elizabeth Clark speaking with several students in an office.
Elizabeth Clark, or “Miss Liz” (as the students call her), talks with students. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

What is the best part of your job?

My students. No day when you work in higher education and student affairs is the same; there’s always something. So, my best part is having the conversation with them, helping them navigate their day-to-day life — maybe it’s financial aid; it could be mental health issues and where to go; it could be coursework; it could be just about anything. 

I want students to truly have a sense of belonging. For students to feel that they have a place to come to and folks to talk to and folks to push them and help them realize whatever their dream is. We’re here to make you make it. 

You got into Northeastern, so you’re bright. I want to help you with navigating the system to get everything that you need so that you can cross that finish line and graduate, because that’s what your parents sent you here to do.

What’s one thing in your job that would surprise most people?

All the students know that I’m a baker and I cook. So, since I’ve been here, I’ve been making candied yams for their events, and cakes and other things. Those are things that aren’t written in my job description, but I do for our students and student clubs. And there are two things that I’ve made for restaurants here in Boston — a dulce de leche and an almond and pecan pound cake. 

Also, we started having “Caring Cuisine” once a month. Any student is invited to come and get a meal — we have to-go cups and containers — and it’s something simple like a chicken and rice or pasta dish. 

I’m like the mother on campus — if you can see my cabinet, I have cereal, I have oatmeal, we have macaroni and cheese. If you’re hungry, your mind can’t function correctly. I just don’t want that to be a barrier for you.

What is your favorite spot on the Boston campus? 

I think it’s the sculpture garden. And I hate to say it, but I love my office — I’ve tried to make it a cozy place where students feel comfortable and enjoy coming in. But there are days when you just need to get out of the office and I like sitting at the sculpture park by the koi pond because it’s peaceful … you can just go there and relax.

What do you do to relax? 

Travel. I love to travel. If I could get on a plane tomorrow and be in Barcelona, I’d be there. I was blessed to be able to represent the institute in Ghana with Northeastern in June — that was a blessing. Travel would be one of the things that I love to do … and read a good book.

And where would we likely find you on lunch break?

If I had a favorite sandwich spot, it would be Sam Lacrosse’s downtown. I’m originally from New York, and they make the corned beef and pastrami like we have in New York. And since they have DoorDash and Uber Eats, it just makes it wonderful ’cause they can deliver it!

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