Clara Perka

Clara Perka serves as Administrative Specialist CL3 for the Women and Gender Studies (WGS) Program at the University of Southern Maine (USM). Since Spring 2023, she has held a part-time faculty role, teaching WGS 220: Feminist Yoga. She earned her B.A. (2020) and M.A. (2022) from USM in Women & Gender Studies/Social and Behavioral Science and Leadership Studies, respectively. Her master’s thesis focused on the role of WGS programs in fostering feminist leadership practices, and she is now pursuing a doctoral degree in Leadership Studies.

• Current roles: Chair of Classified Staff Senate, Co-Chair of IDEC Curriculum Committee (AY 24-25), President of ACSUM USM Chapter, Portland Campus representative
• Committee memberships: Bias Response Team, USM Chapter of NCBI (National Coalition Building Institute) certified trainer

Her work integrates feminist theory with practical leadership development, emphasizing institutional equity and inclusive education. She actively contributes to curriculum reform through her IDEC committee role and advocates for classified staff through senate leadership.