Master of Education
Strayer University
Bachelor of Science
Business Administration
University of Baltimore
Certificate of Completion
Surgical Technology
Community College of Baltimore County
Patricia M. Clarke’s story may sound familiar to students at AACC who are looking to make a career change. Clarke began in the banking and financial services industry, working through college to obtain her bachelor’s degree. After 17 years, she decided to make a career change and pursue a field she had always been interested in: health care.
Clarke obtained a certificate in surgical technology from the Community College of Baltimore County and became a certified surgical technologist. This led to the next phase of her career as a teacher. She’s been a teacher for 18 years and has been with AACC since 2013.
“AACC students are some of the nicest and (most) supportive people I have met,” Clarke said. “They come into the program as individuals and quickly form bonds with their classmates. They support one another in lab and I have seen them come together in support of classmates having difficult times, both in and out of class.”
In addition to teaching, Clarke is a member of AACC’s Career Mentoring Network, which connects students with faculty and staff mentors, and the Bunker Network, which supports AACC military and veteran students.
For Clarke, the most enjoyable thing about teaching at AACC is helping students succeed in the field she transitioned to years ago.
“Teaching in health sciences allows me to be part of another person's dream to be in health care. It is very satisfying to know that our students become successful surgical technologists who are taking care of patients and helping to train the next generation.”
