Central MA College Standout: Clark University’s Alexander Marshall

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Susan Wagner, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

GoLocalWorcester presents Central MA College Standout, a weekly feature that profiles college and university students in Central MA. Join us every Tuesday for a look at the careers and lifestyles of today’s local college student.

Clark University’s Alex Marshall is a sophomore majoring in Political Science, concentration in Urban Development and Social Change. Marshall is also the vice president of Democrats of Clark University, treasurer of the Clark Undergraduate Student Council and a member of the Clark Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. The 19 year-old resident of the District of Columbia also works with Raise Up Massachusetts.

A Conversation with Alex Marshall

SW: How would you describe yourself in a few lines?

AM: I love to be active. I prefer having a lot to do to a relaxed schedule. I’m a curious person, and I think that’s accurate. I’m often looking for answers or reasons.

SW: How have you taken a leadership role in school?

AM: I like to try to get friends and other students involved in the politics. Clarkies are great about being activists for their causes but our voting precinct (Ward 8, precinct 3) has one of the lowest turnouts in the city.

I’m working right now to bring financial accountability to our student council that has been lacking in past years. Previously much of our $700-900K budget was used in ways I don’t think it should have been used for. I’d like our council to leave a lasting positive impact on the school.

SW: Describe the career and/or future you envision for yourself.

AM: I see myself working for an NGO or municipal or federal government. Urban policy is something I’m really interested in and what I want to do with that.

SW: Describe a stereotype of students that you have found to be untrue.

AM: I hear that we don’t care for the community that we live in, or that we’re just here for four years then leave but I know many Clark alums in the area and lots of students trying to make a positive impact in the neighborhood and city. I’m from a college neighborhood, so I know the town and gown mentality well and now as a student, I see why it’s easy for those disconnects to happen.

SW: What’s your favorite place to go to on campus? In Worcester?

AM: The fourth floor of the library, in the lounge chairs overlooking some of Worcester’s hills to the west. I love going out to eat, Corner Grille is probably my favorite spot.

SW: What is your favorite book, movie, or series?

AM: I’m always waiting for the next Dan Brown book to come out, but I’ll settle for a David Baldacci in the meantime. I also have a big place in my heart for the West Wing.

SW: What about a favorite social media site?

AM: I tweet a lot. @a_r_marshall

SW: What do you enjoy in your free time?

AM: I spend a lot of my free time getting involved in politics in Worcester. At home I don’t have the liberty of being able to vote for members of Congress so it motivates me to make my voice heard here.

SW: What is your favorite quote?

AM: I like this one from Alice Walker: “Activism is my rent for living on the planet.”

SW: What piece of technology, can you not live without?

AM: My iPhone is my lifeline.

SW: What or who has had the greatest influence on you to date? Why?

AM: My hometown. The District really molded me into the person I am and the things I care about.

SW: What would someone be surprised to learn about you?

AM: I’m a twin! I’ve been told a couple times “you don’t look like one.” I’m still confused about that.

SW: How do you rate Worcester as a college city?

AM: Worcester has a lot to offer its students and I’ve loved my last year here. A lot of people don’t know about what the city has to offer. Maybe the city and universities have to advertise that better, or maybe students should be more adventurous.

SW: If you could do just one thing, locally, nationally or globally to make a difference, what would it be?

AM: I’d love to see more families out of poverty. Right now I’m doing some work with the group Raise Up Massachusetts, we’re trying to bring up the minimum wage and guarantee sick leave for workers across the commonwealth.

Susan Wagner is the president of Susan Wagner PR. In this challenging economy, she has begun a new division to offer affordable start-up packages to new and emerging small businesses and non-profit organizations that include professional writing services, websites, collateral, marketing, social media, grassroots outreach and PR campaigns. If you have suggestions for a College Standout profile, please email [email protected].

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