After Atlantic Cape, Disney’s in Future Of Marmora Atlantic Cape Graduate

MAYS LANDING – Marmora resident Meghan Clark, 20, did not have an easy beginning during her time at Atlantic Cape Community College.
She faced the challenge of financial burdens on her family while attending school, with her grandmother having Alzheimer’s disease and her father became disabled, according to a release.
This forced her mother to become the sole provider for the first half of her college career until her father was able to receive disability.
“We spent a lot of time pulling our money together because financial aid would not cover my schooling. All of my parent’s income went to taking care of my grandmother, and her home (which we were living in). I worked as much as I could between classes and balanced my schoolwork, which is something I never did before,” Clark said.
She paid for as many classes as she could and put 100 percent into them so she would not have to retake them, no small feat for a young college student.
Clark was also an accomplished member of many clubs and activities at Atlantic Cape, including the Communication Club, the Atlantic Cape Review, She Speaks, Atlantic Cape Student Government Association, and starting the first successful Pride Club on campus. She hosted the college radio station WRML’s feminist talk show, “Fatale Radio,” and was also able to establish the first LGBTQ+ Safe Center on campus that will be making its debut this June for Pride Month.
She is getting ready to receive her associate degree in communication and then embark on the Disney College Program.
She hopes to return to Atlantic Cape to mentor communication students and then head to a four-year institution.
“I credit a few professors at the college with my success– the main being Keith Forrest, who was my adviser, professor, mentor and support system at this college. He pushed me into getting involved in SGA, which led to getting involved in different clubs around the school and creating events that hold onto my beliefs and values.
“I also credit the Communication Club/program that gave me the family and support system that made me want to get out of bed every morning and come to class. If it weren’t for them, I would not have made as much of an impact here at Atlantic Cape,” she remarked.
Her philosophy for success includes the sentiments of passion, dedication, drive, organization and being adamant about how she wants things done.
“If it weren’t for all these qualities, I would not have achieved this much at Atlantic Cape,” she stated.   
In five to 10 years, Clark sees herself working in the film industry, hoping to have created her own production.
Clark has also been selected as the alumni representative to the college’s Board of Trustees.
“Graduating from Atlantic Cape is the beginning and a foundation that will help me further achieve success in my career and in life. The skills I have learned being here are the framework for the life I am building for myself,” Clark concluded.