What’s next for BMLS after Will Hudson’s Departure?
Over a period of time, Will Hudson served as the Associate Dean of Student Affairs & Director of Engagement at Clarke University, and has invested in the Dubuque Community School District for many years in multiple coaching roles, mentorship roles, and as a parent too. He was also the director of Intercultural Programs & Engagement for the Black Male Leadership Society (BMLS) here at Clarke University.
BMLS provides support, mentorship, and leadership opportunities to Black men. The program works in partnership with Clarke’s existing Peer Mentor Program while providing additional resources for Black men early in their college career. Hudson’s departure and lasting impact on Clarke and the Dubuque community is triggering a need for Clarke to look at what comes next for BMLS and its members.
Will decided to move on late in the summer before the 2026-2027 academic year started, after spending multiple years at Clarke. Clarke has posted and is currently searching for an applicant to fill the Director of Career Services position. The school continues to seek student interest in BMLS. Replacing Will is the new Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Michael C. Gleason. He remarks, “If anyone ever has questions or ideas of different types of interest, I am open to talking to students.” Gleason joined Clarke on Aug 18th from Wartburg College.
Vice President of BMLS, Anthony King, will meet with current group members of BMLS to discuss what will happen next. BMLS aims to improve the retention rate, graduation, engagement, and overall success of this historically underrepresented population in higher education. It develops programming and resources that address the various scholastic and social challenges these young men face. Stanley Cadet, a member of BMLS, says, “I don’t know what I would be doing if I wasn’t in BMLS. It made it a fun college experience for me.”
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