Asante Clarke, Longtime NOVA SDV Instructor, Announces Retirement
A well-known and beloved counselor and SDV instructor at the Manassas Campus has announced his retirement. Reginald “Asante” Clarke will retire at the end of the month. The “energizer-bunny” of Manassas Campus will be sorely missed.
Asante will always be remembered for is infectious energy, hugs, and positivity. He has made an impact on thousands of students over the years.
Amina Nawaz states: “I’ve known Asante for 21 years. We started at Alexandria campus. He’s an awesome man! He always has a positive attitude.”
Mary Ahn, a long-time colleague recently reminisced: “Asante is a man who truly lives in the moment and doesn’t hold back for anyone. I will never forget our previous president’s reaction when Asante greeted him for the first time with a big, bear hug and kiss on the cheek. Beneath his jovial and eccentric personality, you could also rely on Asante to make things work even if the situation wasn’t ideal. He will be missed.”
Clarke came to NOVA in 1983 as a special needs counselor at the Alexandria Campus. He also taught as an associate a professor in the Human Services Department before becoming the program head for the Human Services/Substance Abuse Program. In 2005, Mr. Clarke came to the Manassas Campus as a Disabilities Counselor and has remained a fixture of the campus since then. Asante’s passion for teaching was well-known to students and staff alike. Clarke often taught overloads so that he could influence more students.
Clarke completed his bachelor’s in Special Education and earned a Masters in Counseling. In addition, he completed graduate work towards a PhD at both the American University and George Mason University.
He was a sought-after speaker, trainer and facilitator especially for substance abuse counseling. He conducted in-service training for community colleges in the Virginia Community College System and wrote articles for various local mental health associations and agencies.
Corey Esparza, who worked with Clarke as a DSS counselor, said: “Asante has the greatest sense of humor. He can bring refreshing levity to any situation. He also stresses the importance of being authentic and meeting students where they are. He is beloved by his students and his colleagues, and will be missed by his NOVA family.”
We wish him well and will always welcome him to come back to teach SDV should he get bored with his retirement.
Submitted by:
Steve Rakoff, srakoff@nvcc.edu
