2024 VISTA Millennial Superstars: Katie Clay
West Chester and Chester Springs native Katie Clay is the Associate Director for Community-Engaged Learning at the Center for Civic Engagement at West Chester University, where her areas of focus are connecting community to campus and campus to community and overseeing the WCU Resource Pantry.
“My role includes helping students feel a sense of belonging on and off campus, which creates a culture of community aid and neighborhood goodwill in a town-and-gown environment,” said Clay. “Examples of this are creating community-based professional positions for low-income students, organizing trips for students to meet community members and engage in service, serving as a liaison between local nonprofits and NGOs and campus offices, coordinating community engagement data collection from faculty, helping faculty create courses around service, and organizing service opportunities on campus.”
With the WCU Resource Pantry, Clay also states that she helps train and oversee our student staff, plan fundraisers, and explore novel programs like the meal swipe partnership with Aramark, which creates a long-term program where students with unused meal swipes can donate them to those in need.
“I also oversee the Resource Pantry’s Benefits Hub, where I work with Social Work student interns to help enroll students in government benefits like WIC, SNAP, and Medicaid and connect students to other community resources where necessary,” she said.
Clay attended Downingtown East High School, where she graduated in 2014, and studied Environmental Economics with a minor in Geography & Planning at McGill University in Montreal, QC, graduating in the Fall of 2018. In 2020, she began her master’s degree in Higher Education Policy at West Chester University and worked as a Graduate Assistant, graduating with an M.S. Ed in the Spring of 2022. She plans to begin her Educational Doctorate (Ed.D.) in Fall 2024 at West Chester University, studying community engagement and community aid.
Clay’s first job was at Kiwi Frozen Yogurt in Exton at the age of 16. She was one of the original employees at that store’s opening and worked there for just under a year. Clay credits Dr. Jacqueline Hodes, the Department Chair and Director of the Higher Education Policy Master’s program at WCU, with having a significant impact on her career.
“I first spoke to Dr. Hodes when I was considering a career switch into education but had had some personal struggles in my undergraduate career that were clearly reflected on my transcript,” said Clay. “During the application process, she supported me and built my confidence back up. She made me feel capable and made my perspective of academic struggles feel like a strength instead of a weakness. Throughout the program, she was a lifeline personally and a huge support professionally. Even after I completed the degree, when I come into times of professional uncertainty, Dr. Hodes is my first call.”
Clay recalls her proudest professional moment as successfully leading her team during a chaotic time.
“When I started as a full-time staff member in the Center for Civic Engagement, I accepted a position as the Assistant Director,” said Clay. “Right before my first day, I learned that both the Senior Director and past Associate Director had already submitted their two weeks’ notice and that after my first week, I would essentially be running the office alone with our office admin. Our small team was able to not only keep our essential programs and the Resource Pantry running, but we were actually serving a record number of students. In February 2022, in particular, we had a 400 percent year-over-year increase in items distributed. I am deeply proud that in a chaotic transitional period, we continued to serve our community despite heightened food insecurity after COVID-19 assistance rollbacks. For about six transitional months, our four graduate assistants, office admin, and I made sure that our student community would have its needs met.”
Clay’s favorite Chester County restaurant is Roots Café on Gay Street.
“I love their local sourcing focus, and they pay so much thoughtful attention to menu items for vegetarians and vegans, as well as an amazing mocktail menu.”
Clay and the rest of the 2024 Class of VISTA Millennial Superstars will be honored at the Awards Reception & Celebration on Thursday, May 9, at Penn State Great Valley.
Sponsors are still being sought. Click here to learn more about the various opportunities available to partner with VISTA Today as it celebrates Chester County’s next generation of leaders, or contact Steve Knickerbocker at steve.knickerbocker@acj.today or 484-437-2826.
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