Madison Clark is a sophomore communications major from Chicago. She plays the ukulele, violin, and guitar, but this fall, the lifelong performer is turning student politician as she takes on the role of council president of Cathy Hughes School of Communications.

Throughout the election, Clarke made transparency the cornerstone. 

“I didn’t really try to hide myself or make it seem overly political. Like, I know a lot of people that don’t really sit with them as well or resonate with them. Like yes, people in communications are political, and people in Howard are political, but people also just like knowing that they can have a normal conversation with, like, you know, somebody—even if they are running for a higher position,” said Clarke.

While Clarke is proud of her time serving on the Essence Council as Director of Student Advocacy, it wasn’t void of challenges, which she believes worked to her benefit while campaigning. 

“It pulled me out of my comfort zone when it came to talking to people, being more active around my own major and just Howard’s campus in general,” said Clarke. 

While Clarke was active on Essence council, she also used the experience to note improvements. 

“I want to continue it [ the work ] and take what I didn’t see in this Council and bring it to mine,” said Clarke.

Incoming Secretary, Reyna Porter, believes that the key to their success will be found in balancing each other out as a council. 

“We very much hold each other accountable with the things that we’re doing, making sure that we're using both of our strengths to help each other out within each other’s weaknesses. And as a council, as a slate, we were very much able to prosper because of that, because we were aware of each other’s strengths and weaknesses to better prosper the success,” said Porter.

When her term as president  is complete in the Spring of 2026, Clark hopes to leave SOC better than she found it. 

“Overall, I want to make it feel more homey. Make this not feel like a cold place where people just go to class and leave. Like, I want you to be able to come in and know that there is somebody there that’s going to look out for you, and it’s not just you on your own,” said Clarke.