Ferlin Clark

Early in his career, Ferlin Clark taught United States history and geography at Navajo Preparatory School.^[10]

In 1999, Clark was vice president for development at Diné College.^[11] In 2003, he became interim president of the college,^[12] and in 2004, he assumed the position permanently.^[13] Clark was removed as president by the Navajo Nation Supreme Court in 2010^[14] amid an investigation into accusations of bullying and harassment of staff.^[15] He was succeeded by Marie Etsitty,^[16] who served as interim president until 2011.^[17]

After leaving Dine College, Clark served as executive staff assistant to Navajo Nation Vice President Rex Lee Jim.^[18][19]

He served as New Mexico Assistant Secretary of Indian Education from 2012^[20] to 2014.^[21][22]

In April 2018, Clark was named the new president of Bacone College,^[23] replacing Franklin Willis.^[4] Under his leadership, Bacone sought tribal charters to become a tribally affiliated college and thus improve its financial stability.^[24] Under Clark's presidency, the college was chartered by the Osage Nation,^[25] the Kiowa Tribe,^[26] the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes,^[27] the Otoe–Missouria Tribe of Indians,^[28] and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians.^[29] The college also underwent financial restructuring during his tenure; part of this has involved cutting sports programs including football and wrestling.^[30]

In 2022 Clark went on leave from Bacone College and was replaced by interim president Nicky Michael.^[3][31]

Clark currently works as an administrator in the Office of Dine School Improvement in the Department of Dine Education.^[2][32]

Clark has also served on the College Board^[33] and as vice president of the executive board^[6] and later secretary of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium.^[34]

Ferlin Clark is married to his wife, Gwen.^[9][35]