San Bernardino Economic Development Director Maggie Pacheco presents Habitat Executive Director Paula Akompong with a $50,000 check for land acquisition.

Paula Agnes Akompong
IDSC/M.A. '00

1. Please describe your present professional position? Please include the URL of your organization.

I am currently the Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity San Bernardino Area, an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. The organization provides decent, affordable housing to low-income families who would otherwise not qualify for conventional home loans. I supervise implementation of Habitat’s mission to provide affordable housing to low-income families and monitor its financial objectives. This includes developing fundraising strategies, fostering relationships with potential donors and negotiating with Redevelopment Agencies to secure funding for land acquisition.

www.habitat4humanity.net

2. What do you find satisfying about your position?

The opportunity it affords me to be involved in every facet of running a volunteer-based non-profit organization.

3. How did the program at Clark University help to prepare you?

The IDSC program provided a sound academic foundation in community mobilization and development.

4. Why should prospective students enroll in the program at Clark University ?

In order to succeed in community development, the IDSC program provides the necessary tools that will enhance your technical expertise in any area.

5. Did you have an internship as part of your Clark education? If so, how did it help to connect you to your current career?

I assisted Richard Ford in training Peace Corps volunteers to use PRA techniques in a Moroccan mountain community. I complemented this workshop with a conflict management presentation. During my graduate work, I participated in organizing two community workshops in Worcester, "Neighborhoods Taking Action I and II." The methods used in these sessions have underscored my approach to community development both in the U.S. and abroad.