The goal of ClarkLEAD is to foster an engineering community that is united, thoughtful, safe, inclusive, accountable, empowered, and open to growth in order to Mpact society. The weekend prior to the beginning of the semester, new first-year and transfer students will gather to participate in large- and small-group activities with these learning objectives:
- Begin to develop a sense of connectedness to their peers and the Clark School community.
- Identify strategies to facilitate respectful and inclusive learning environments.
- Learn to articulate and capitalize on individual strengths and productively apply them in team settings.
ClarkLEADERS have an important role in shaping the Maryland Engineering community. You will have the chance to:
- Introduce new students to Maryland Engineering by sharing your experiences.
- Guide them through interactive activities and discussions about identity, teamwork and collaboration, and applying strengths.
- Receive training (online and face-to-face) from ClarkLEAD staff on the topics to be covered and strategies for facilitating group activities.
- Build skills you can then use to succeed in your classes, work place, and community.
- Meet Maryland Engineering alumni and hear their experiences post graduation
Asynchronous Training: Complete a short online training module through ELMS that includes topics on leadership, identity, inclusive teams, and facilitation skills. The asynchronous training will take about 2 hours to complete via ELMS. The ELMS page will be opened in mid-August and will be due by your in-person training date.
In-person training: Attend ONE in-person training in August where we run through all of the activities and discussions you will be helping facilitate at ClarkLEAD. This is required for new and returning ClarkLEADERS. (3 hours and food will be provided)
- Thursday, August 27 | 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Saturday, August 29 | 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
ClarkLEAD Welcome Details: The ClarkLEAD Welcome will be split into three events, divided up by major. Each event lasts 2.5 hours, but ClarkLEADERS must check-in 1 hour prior and check-out 30 minutes after, totaling a 4 hour volunteer commitment.
Date: Sunday, August 30th, 2026
Location: Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center (7801 Alumni Drive, College Park, MD 20742)
| Event # |
Majors |
Check In Time |
Event Time |
Check Out Time |
| Event 1 |
- BioE
- ChemE
- FPE
- MatSE
- CivilE
- BioCompE
|
8:00 AM |
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM |
12:00 PM |
| Event 2 |
- CompE
- EE
- AeroE
- MechatronicsE
- Cyber-PhysE
|
11:30 AM |
12:30 PM - 3:00 PM |
3:30 PM |
| Event 3 |
|
3:00 PM |
4:00 PM - 6:30 PM |
7:00 PM |
Employers seek new hires with some of these skills that you will practice both during ClarkLEADER training and on the day of the event.
- Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
- Oral/Written Communication
- Teamwork/Collaboration
- Global/Intercultural Fluency
- Professionalism/Work Ethic
- Leadership
Students can register for early arrival by logging into the StarRez Housing Portal and accessing the form link on the Housing Forms page. There is an early arrival fee of $42/day depending on when you request to move in between Sunday, August 23 at 12pm and Wednesday, August 26. There are NO fees to move in early starting Thursday, August 27, but you MUST wait until after 4 PM in order to allow the scheduled move-ins to occur throughout either Thursday or Friday.
The dining halls will be open to all resident student meal plans starting on Thursday, August 27 at 4 PM. There will be no dining hall access available before that time.
FREE long-term parking starting on Saturday, August 22, 2026 is available for any vehicle -- with or without a current DOTS permit -- may park in Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 15, 16, 18, and 19. Faculty/Staff lots and parking meters will remain enforced as usual.
Additional parking options include:
- Free Parking: Surface Lot Z, located behind the Riggs Alumni Center, is available all day on Saturdays and Sundays
- Paid Parking: The Stadium Drive Garage, adjacent to the Riggs Alumni Center and Moxley Gardens, is available for $4/hr (maximum $20/day).
If parking in the Stadium Drive Garage:
- Please pay immediately after parking.
- Be sure to note your parking space number.
- Payment can be made at the pay station located outside the garage or through the ParkMobile mobile app.
