Lunch with the Bosses
VP Sudha Frederick invites students to discuss technology, AI, and career paths to success
On Feb. 5, the Associated Students of Clark College (ASCC) hosted a Lunch with the Bosses event, inviting students to sit down with Clark’s executive cabinet members for candid, small-group discussions about leadership and college life.
The format was simple and low-pressure: Clark President Dr. Edwards and Vice Presidents Dr. Terry Brown, Sudha Frederick, Vanessa Neal, and Sabra Sand were each seated at their own tables. Groups of students rotated between tables every 12 minutes, giving them the opportunity to speak with multiple members of Clark’s executive leadership in one afternoon.
Prompt questions were available for students who wanted help getting the conversation started, but discussions often flowed naturally, with most groups not even waiting for the official start of the event to begin diving into top-of-mind topics. Students asked leaders about their roles at the college, their career paths, and what advice they would give to current students navigating higher education.
Just as important, the event created space for Clark’s leadership to listen.
Vice President of Information Technology Sudha Frederick used the conversation as an opportunity to learn more about students’ day-to-day experiences on campus, asking questions about campus resources and what could be improved to better support student life. One topic at his table that naturally sparked discussion was technology.
Sudha asked students to share their frustrations around technology, from access to tools to navigating different platforms. The conversation tied into broader discussions about the rapidly evolving technology landscape and the growing role of artificial intelligence in education and the workforce — students advocated for when AI might be a helpful resource and how they currently use it as a learning tool. Sudha emphasized the importance of helping students adapt to that changing environment by providing the support they need to succeed. As technology continues to shape nearly every profession, he said, preparing students to work confidently and ethically with new tools is essential.
When students took turns leading the discussion, they posed questions about what he enjoys about his role and the kinds of challenges he helps to solve. When asked what advice he wished he had received as a student, Sudha reflected on the importance of recognizing individual strengths over the agenda of a curriculum. He shared that he wishes his instructors had paid more attention to students’ natural talents rather than expecting every student to learn the same way.
While Lunch with the Bosses is an annual event, open dialogue with leadership is a year-round priority for Clark. One student, Melissa, commented that she tries to attend events with leadership as often as she can, as they provide opportunities to learn more about the college. She returned to Clark after a long absence and loves the sense of community this kind of event creates.
About ASCC Student Government
The Associated Students of Clark College (ASCC) Student Government represents and advocates for Clark students, serving as a liaison between students and college leadership and administration. Recognized by the Board of Trustees as the official student representative, ASCC supports leadership development, student engagement, and collaboration in alignment with Clark College’s mission, vision, and values.
Learn more about ASCC Student Government here.
Photos: Clark College/Carly Rae Zent
Story by Malena Goerl, Staff Writer, Communications and Marketing