Clarke-Lauren (she/her) serves as the Executive Director of Central Valley Scholars, bringing a deep commitment to ensuring that all students, especially those from historically marginalized communities, have the support they need to thrive. As a Black woman, advocate, and educator, Clarke-Lauren is a second-generation college student who moved to the Central Valley in 2010 and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication and Journalism and a Master's in Student Affairs and College Counseling from Fresno State, experiences that deepened her passion for educational access, equity, and empowerment. With over a decade of experience in higher education, she has dedicated her career to dismantling systemic barriers, advocating for students of color, and fostering inclusive learning environments where every student, regardless of background or identity, has the resources, guidance, and support to succeed.