2025 Power 100: David Fithian

A man with light brown hair wears a dark blue suit jacket, white button down, and blue patterned tie.

Photo | Courtesy of Clark University David Fithian, president of Clark University, in Worcester

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David Fithian Title President Company Clark University, in Worcester Employees 930 Residence Worcester Colleges Clark University, Yale University Read all the 2025 Power 100 profiles here
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On April 10, Fithian found himself in the position to tell the students of Clark, the second largest college in Central Massachusetts, that 12 of its international students had had their legal status and/or visas revoked. Amid the federal government’s crackdown on immigration, Fithian quickly made himself a leading voice among institutions of higher education, making his support for his international students clear and adding Clark to the amicus brief in American Association of University Professors v. Rubio, a federal case contesting the government’s visa revocation and detention of students.

Fithian’s advocacy came off the heels of Clark announcing the upcoming launch of its new School of Climate, Environment, and Society in the fall aimed at preparing students to take on careers tackling the mounting environmental crisis.

Shortly thereafter, Fithian brought Clark’s influence to a global level as the university joined the United Nations’ UN Academic Impact initiative to promote the organization’s mission including advancing human rights, access to education, and sustainability. The initiative's network of more than 1,000 schools from more than 150 countries will support Clark’s efforts in addressing urgent social, political, and ecological challenges, said Fithian.

Mica Kanner-Mascolo is a staff writer at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the healthcare and diversity, equity, and inclusion industries.