Frederick Clark Jr.

Frederick W. Clark Jr., Esq., is the 12th president in the 180-year history of Bridgewater State University, his alma mater.

The advancement of student success has been the cornerstone of President Clark’s leadership. Under President Clark's leadership, BSU aspires to become a national leader in removing barriers to academic success, providing the necessary supports to help each and every student grow and succeed, and eliminating achievement gaps among all student groups.

Meanwhile, the university continues to build upon its nationally recognized undergraduate research program and expand experiential learning opportunities for students through its study abroad, honors and paid internship programs. Under President Clark’s leadership, BSU’s full-time faculty ranks have grown to the largest in the institution’s history.

Because ensuring access to high-quality higher education remains a priority, President Clark has forged ground-breaking relationships with neighboring Massasoit Community College and Bristol Community College (CC2BSU) to help students transition to a four-year degree, and is expanding BSU’s College of Continuing Studies to serve the needs of adult learners.

President Clark served BSU in many capacities prior to assuming the presidency in July 2015, including as a member and chairman of the Board of Trustees, vice chairman of the Bridgewater State University Foundation, and executive vice president and vice president for external affairs.

His commitment to the commonwealth has been recognized by Governor Charlie Baker, who appointed President Clark to serve as a Massachusetts delegate on the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE), which has provided leadership to strengthen the relationship between higher education and the economic well-being of the region.

President Clark was also elected to serve as chair of the Metro South Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors at its most recent annual meeting. The chamber has served the Greater Brockton Area for more than a hundred years.

President Clark worked for nearly 20 years as district director, legal counsel and Washington liaison officer for Congressman John Joseph Moakley. He is also the former chairman of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (BHE).

Like the majority of Bridgewater State University students, President Clark represents the first generation in his family to attend college. He graduated from Bridgewater State in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and received his Juris Doctor degree from Suffolk University Law School in 1986.