Ferlin Clark

Ferlin Clark is a member of the Navajo (Dine) Nation originally from Crystal, New Mexico.[3]

Clark received a bachelor's degree in English communications from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado in 1988.[4] He received a master's degree in education from Harvard University in 1992[5] and a doctoral degree in American Indian studies from the University of Arizona[6] in 2009.[7]

Early in his career, Ferlin Clark taught United States history and geography at Navajo Preparatory School.[8]

In 1999, Clark was vice president for development at Diné College.[9] In 2003, he became interim president of the college,[10] and in 2004, he assumed the position permanently.[11] Clark was removed as president by the Navajo Nation Supreme Court in 2010[12] amid an investigation into accusations of bullying and harassment of staff.[13] He was succeeded by Marie Etsitty,[14] who served as interim president until 2011.[15]

After leaving Dine College, Clark served as executive staff assistant to Navajo Nation Vice President Rex Lee Jim.[16][17]

He served as New Mexico Assistant Secretary of Indian Education from 2012[18] to 2014.[19][20]

In April 2018, Clark was named the new president of Bacone College,[21] replacing Franklin Willis.[2] Under his leadership, Bacone has sought tribal charters to become a tribally affiliated college and thus improve its financial stability.[22] Since Clark assumed the presidency, the college has been chartered by the Osage Nation,[23] the Kiowa Tribe,[24] the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes,[25] the Otoe–Missouria Tribe of Indians,[26] and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians.[27] The college has also undergone financial restructuring during his tenure; part of this has involved cutting sports programs including football and wrestling.[28]

Clark has also served on the College Board[29] and as vice president of the executive board[4] and later secretary of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium.[30]

Ferlin Clark is married to his wife, Gwen.[31][7]