This story is part of a Georgetown Faces, a storytelling series that celebrates the beloved figures, unsung heroes and dedicated Hoyas who make our campus special.
By Mariel Jackson
One morning in the summer of 2003, Cristal Clark’s mother woke her up with a job prospect. Mendy Clark, a longtime employee of Hoya Staffing, knew that the Georgetown Public Policy Institute (now the McCourt School of Public Policy) needed a temporary administrative assistant.
At the time, Clark was 22, a recent graduate of Morris Brown College, and, like many of her peers, still trying to figure out what she wanted to do with her life.
“I had just returned home from Atlanta and was not looking for a job yet,” said Clark. “My mom insisted, and I reluctantly agreed.”
Clark got the job, and before she knew it, her career at Georgetown began to grow.
“When the original administrative assistant returned, they didn’t want me to leave!” she said.
Clark transitioned to a full-time position on GPPI’s admissions team, helping recruit and retain prospective graduate students. This new opportunity was also her first foray into event planning — a role she quickly fell in love with.
“Of all the things I worked on, I loved that work the most,” she said.
Two decades later, Clark has planned and executed more than 600 events at Georgetown. She lovingly refers to her events manager role as the “academic events concierge — the person who ensures that students’ experience at McCourt is fun, collaborative and engaging.”
One colleague called her “the backbone of the McCourt School.” Clark’s longtime friend and manager Lauren Mullins, executive director of communications and marketing at the McCourt School, said she is that and more.
“Cristal is also the beating heart of our school. She supports events that touch every constituency — from students, faculty, staff and alumni to campus and external partners — and always with warmth and wisdom.”
Learn more about Clark’s 21-year career at Georgetown, her most memorable experience on the Hilltop, and who inspires her to seize the day (and is responsible for the music she sings along to on her morning commute).
How I felt on my first day of work: I felt an intense amount of anxiety and was very insecure. I hated the suit I was wearing and kept thinking, I’m so uncomfortable and nervous. I didn’t know anyone or the type of job I was walking into, but I felt so welcomed, and everyone was so nice.
My most memorable experience working at Georgetown: Seeing President Obama speak on the steps of Old North was so special. I remember feeling amazed by him and honored, as a Black woman in the presence of the president of the United States, a Black man, speaking on the steps of where I worked. It was a long, hot day, but it was incredibly impactful for me as a person.