During her undergraduate years at Clark, Maya Fox ’16 was dedicated to creating a sense of community in the University’s residence halls. Now, she’s pursuing a master’s that will help her engage and connect with employees as a human resources professional. We spoke with her about life at and after Clark.
When did you graduate, and what did you do at Clark?
I graduated in 2016 with a psychology major and education minor. During my time at Clark, I was a resident adviser for Bullock, Wright, and Maywood; I also was the housing complex manager for the South Complex and an office assistant in Residence Life and Housing. I was involved with starting the Active Minds chapter and a National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) chapter on campus. During my final year, I was a peer counselor with the Center for Counseling and Personal Growth, and served on the Senior Class Gift Committee.
Where are you now? What have you been up to?
After graduation, I worked at Clark for a year as a hall director for Johnson Sanford Center and Dodd Hall. I then went on to work for Johns Hopkins and T. Rowe Price. I am currently a graduate student at Towson University, pursuing my master’s in human resource development. I’m also — surprise, surprise! — working in Housing and Residence Life at Towson, where I focus on the selection, training, and development of all student employees.
What is your favorite memory at Clark?
Wow, there are so many wonderful memories from my undergraduate years. I would say that one of my favorites would be our senior prom. To be in a room with so many of the people I started my undergraduate journey with, to see how they blossomed into their own person, and to hear their plans for the next chapter was a moment I will never forget.
What’s one of your proudest accomplishments at Clark?
Oh, being an RA was definitely one of the greatest accomplishments. By the end of the first month living in Bullock, I knew that I wanted to take on the position. During that time, I was shy and not sure if I would be hired, but I had such a passion for the work. Honestly, being an RA was not always easy. RAs dedicate a lot of energy, time, and effort to making Clark feel like home.
When my residents shared that they felt a true connection to the community, or that they thought of the residence hall as a home where they were respected for being their authentic selves, or that I in any small way was able to make their transition into college or on-campus living easier, I felt that I accomplished an important internal goal. I always wanted my fellow students at Clark to feel they were valued, cared for, and listened to. Quite honestly, that position — and all of my different experiences — provided me with a sense of accomplishment that was greater than I expected and had a great influence on how I show up in the world today.
What are your plans after you receive your master’s degree?
I will be looking for full-time opportunities that let me engage my passion for human resources. I am specifically interested in focusing on talent management, retention, or employee wellness through a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens.
Have you been developing any new skills or hobbies during the pandemic?
I wouldn’t say I’ve developed any new skills, but I have been able to reconnect with my love of reading — I am currently reading “100 Years of Solitude” by Gabriel García Márquez — as well as meditation and cooking.
Do you have any career advice for recent Clark graduates?
Find work that brings you joy. Most of you will be working 40 to 60 hours a week and trust me, if the work is not internally motivating, you will not be able to sustain your energy. Do not be afraid for that joy to take you away from what you may have planned. Careers do not always happen the way we think they should, so be open to every opportunity.
Emilee Cocuzzo ’18, MBA ’19, is a senior consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton. She is currently one of the Class of 2018 representatives on the GOLD Council.
