CLAA Mission Statement
The Clark LGBTQ+ Alumni Association is committed to the integration of personal and community power to affirm, liberate, support, and celebrate LGBTQ+ Clarkies. We aim to build solidarity among LGBTQ+ Clark alumni and students, to provide positive experiences and brave spaces on and off campus, and to advocate for current LGBTQ+ Clark students.
The group strives to:
- Uplift the voices of LGBTQ+ Clarkies with multiple, intersecting identities
- Unite LGBTQ+ Clarkies across generations to learn from and grow in our understanding of each other’s lived experiences
- Host networking and community-building events
- Provide opportunities for virtual events targeting LGBTQ+ Clarkies across the globe
- Mentor LGBTQ+ students and young alumni
- Provide opportunities for continuing education regarding LGBTQ+ issues
- Organize opportunities to connect at Pride and LGBTQ+ affiliated events
Read more about the group and how they are helping LGBTQ+ alumni connect on ClarkNOW
Katie Bogen ’15
CLAA Co-Leader
Katherine (Katie) Bogen (M.A.) is a Ph.D. student in the Clinical Psychology Training Program at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, where she studies the intersections of violence-related trauma and human sexuality. She also works as a sex educator affiliated with the South Shore Sexual Health Center in Quincy, MA.
A 2015 Clark graduate, Katie majored in Political Science with a minor in English. Taking advantage of the amazing academic support in the Political Science Department, Katie completed a senior honors thesis and published two related research articles in Clark’s Scholarly Undergraduate Research Journal (SURJ) before graduating. During her time at Clark, Katie worked as an administrative and research assistant in the Sociology Department and was an active leader in student clubs. Katie has been a devoted Clark volunteer since graduating. In addition to serving on the Council, Katie served several years as co-chair of the Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) council, acted as a Clark social media ambassador, is a member of the Diversity & Inclusion Task Force, and is involved with the creation of a Clark Alumni LGBTQ+ Affinity Group. She has hosted numerous alumni engagement events in the New England area and online, and has spoken multiple times at the annual Life After Clark career event for graduating students.
In addition to her Clark-related volunteerism, Katie is involved in the advancement of national Psychology research communities. Katie has co-coordinated national conferences in the interest of feminist psychology and research. Her work has been featured in peer-reviewed academic journals, as well as by Vox, Girls Gone Strong, The Peak Sex Info Podcast, and The Womxn Project Sexual Health Speaker Series. Katie is a lover of musical theatre and a devoted social justice activist. When she is not taking classical voice lessons and performing in community theatre productions, she focuses on advocating for survivors of sexual violence, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, engaging in anti-racism efforts, and combating antisemitism.
Vladi Highland ’16, Psy.D.
CLAA Co-Leader
Vladi is a licensed clinical psychologist. He has particular experience treating adolescents struggling with mood dysregulation, LGBTQ+ identity, and children with complex developmental trauma. Vladi completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Clinical Child Psychology Specialty Program at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
Vladi earned an MS and Psy.D. in clinical psychology from Antioch University New England. His qualitative dissertation explored how young adults adopted internationally as children create a coherent story about who they are and the role of adoption in their lives. Vladi earned a BA with a major in psychology from Clark University, where he was involved in quantitative research into substance use and mental health issues among college students. He looks forward to connecting with current as well as former Clarkies through the Clark LGBTQ+ Alumni Association.
Jennifer Laponte ’16
CLAA Co-Leader
Jennifer graduated from Clark University in 2016 with a major in Political Science and minor in Geography. Following that she worked for several years at StreetScan, examining the quality of street and sidewalk features with visual and mapping software for towns across the US and Canada. She is now taking natural science illustration courses with RISD continuing education with the plan to earn her certificate next spring. She is excited to be part of the Clark LGBTQ+ Alumni Association.
Danielle Strandson ’14 ’15 (she/her)
CLAA Co-Leader
Danielle is a marketing professional currently working for the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International, where she also serves on the DEI council. After earning a B.A. in International Development and Social Change and an M.A. in Community Development and Planning at Clark, she built a career in marketing for nonprofits to help them share their mission and message with the world. Danielle has served on the board of several nonprofits including Hour Exchange Portland, Luke Leaders 1248, and the International Human Rights Art Movement. In her spare time, she engages in animal rescue volunteer work and enjoys traveling.
Ask Questions and Get Involved!
For any general questions, please email us at claa@91ciba.com. Interested in opportunities for engagement: joining CLAA as a leader, assisting with programming, or receiving community-specific emails and updates? Fill out the Alumni Intake Form or send it to fellow alumni who might be a good fit!
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EVENTS
Throughout the year, the CLAA hosts a variety of events, both in-person and virtually. Recent events include:
- “Queer Theory, Modernism, and the Pleasure of Eating,” a virtual discussion with Professor Elizabeth Blake on her new book, “Edible Arrangements: Modernism’s Queer Forms.” (View the recording)
- Alumni & Friends Virtual Book Club with Featured Book: “She’s Not There: A Life in Two Genders” by Jennifer Finney-Boylan, in honor of LGBT History Month
- Providence Pride Meetup at the Malted Barley and Illuminated Pride Parade
- Lavender Graduation (view the CLAA greeting to the recent graduates)
- LGBTQ+ Reception at Reunion Weekend
- Out in Careers Panel with the Office of Identity, Student Engagement, and Access and Career Connections
- Alumni & Friends Book Club celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month with Professor Rox Samer on their book: “Lesbian Potentiality and Feminist Media in the 1970s” (View the recording)
- Worcester Pride Week Wine Tasting
- A Q&A with Abbie Goldberg, Ph.D. on LGBTQ+ family building (View the recording)
- Highlights of Clark’s LGBTQ+ Heritage featuring Professor Robert Tobin (View the recording)
Alumni and Friends Engagement
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Clark University
950 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01610 - 1-508-793-7166
- 1-800-793-6246
- alumni[at]clarku[dot]edu