How Dr. Agenia Clark plans to lead Fisk University into the future

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Fisk University is the oldest institution of higher learning in Nashville.

Keeping a university current presents its own challenge, especially as the city grows around it. On a campus steeped in history, Fisk President Dr. Agenia Clark believes her responsibility is to focus on the future.

“The university has several buildings on the historic register. This is one of them,” Clark explained while walking past the stone marker on the facade of Fisk Memorial Chapel.

Clark has plenty of experience with long-standing institutions, serving as longtime CEO of the Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee until being tapped to lead Fisk last year.

For her, she says, the transition was easy.

“You know it’s the right place at the right time when it doesn’t matter what time you start in the morning and what time you wrap in the afternoon,” Clark said.

There’s plenty to fill those days as enrollment at Fisk and other Historically Black Colleges and Universities continues to grow.

“If you attend HBCUs as an African American child, the percentage of students that graduate is higher than other institutions,” Clark said. “That’s really important because we are indeed filling the gap of a whole generation of young people into the future. And that’s exciting.”

It’s a success story that comes with challenges. Of the 102 HBCUs in the United States, seven are located in Tennessee and four in Nashville, which has some of the highest housing prices in the country.

“It’s very complicated right now in the heart of the city,” explained Clark. “It is our responsibility to make sure that we have the resources to provide housing for an entire four years. So Fisk is looking at that now to determine what that will look like in two, five, ten years because we’re seeing an increase in applications. So it’s not just a conversation about housing. Now I’ve got to make sure I’ve got adequate classroom space, adequate faculty and staff to deliver.”

A new dorm will open soon on campus, while upgrades are needed in existing residence halls at Fisk.

It’s why Clark says preparing for the future of this 40-acre, land-locked university requires a campus masterplan.

“This is a daunting task not just for the institution but for the city, the state, the country, and the world,” she said. “Because this institution, Fisk, has that type of an impact.”

An impact Dr. Clark knows is made every day.

“Knowing that this whole experience of educating young people started more than 150 years ago...to be a part of something that has that longevity.”

She says the excitement comes in ensuring there are another 150 years.

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