When Emily Clark reflects on her Kent State University education, she sees the blueprint of her technological success.
“Kent State gave me more than a degree – it provided a toolkit for navigating complex professional landscapes,” she said.
Clark credits two pivotal courses that have shaped her professional approach.
“Business Writing and Poetry with Katherine Orr [formerly Blackbird] taught me to distill complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives,” Clark said. “This skill has been crucial in bridging technical teams and business stakeholders in my AI work.”
Her English degree, often seen as distant from technology, became her greatest professional asset.
“Solving complex problems and articulating clear, actionable solutions are skills I rely on daily,” Clark noted. “I credit much of my success to my education at Kent State.”
Communication as a Superpower
At the core of Clark’s journey is a fundamental lesson learned at Kent State: communication is problem-solving.
“Every round of revisions, every piece of feedback and every demanding assignment taught me how to refine my ideas and deliver them with clarity and impact,” said Clark, who also was an honors student.
Finding that comfort in problem-solving likely gave Clark the confidence to embrace a high-tech career that lives in that very arena.
“Communication is problem-solving,” she said. “In my current role, I solve business challenges using AI, but success often hinges on how well I communicate the problem, the solution and the path forward.”
Path to AI Leadership Not Linear Journey
When Clark graduated from Kent State with an English degree in 2008, a career in artificial intelligence seemed like science fiction. Now 15-plus years after graduation, she’s taken what she’s learned from her communications and marketing experiences to arrive at the forefront of technological innovation, guiding clients to unlock AI’s transformative potential as client services director at Further in downtown Cleveland.
“Cleveland has a vibrant and interconnected tech community,” she said. “The mentorship, collaboration and support I’ve received from local leaders have been invaluable.”
Clark’s path from graduation to AI leadership wasn’t linear, but her Kent State foundation remained constant.
“AI isn’t just about coding or algorithms – it's about understanding human needs and finding innovative ways to address them,” she said. “Generative AI is ushering in a new era. From generating written content to creating images, videos and even code, the possibilities are boundless.”
Clark notes that she graduated at a time when AI felt like something straight out of science fiction and credits her studies in journalism and literature with giving her a foundation in critical thinking and effective communication.
“The university provided a foundation of curiosity and adaptability,” she said. “My career in AI wasn't planned, but the skills I learned (at Kent State) made such a transition possible.”
Paying It Forward
Today, Clark remains deeply connected to her alma mater, even mentoring through her ongoing relationship with the university.
“Supporting the next generation of leaders is something I’m deeply passionate about,” Clark said.
Her story powerfully illustrates how a liberal arts education can be the unexpected launchpad for technological innovation.