Clinton Blackburn
In his role with MITCNC, Clinton works hard to ensure that our membership offerings meet the needs of our diverse member community. This includes analyzing data to determine the right mix of event locations, dates, and event types. He’s committed to bringing events to all corners of Northern California, so keep an eye out for upcoming events near you!
Why did you decide to volunteer with the MITCNC?
I’ve volunteered continuously since my senior year at MIT. Volunteering with MITCNC just felt natural.
Tell us a bit about your role with the MITCNC. What are your responsibilities in this position?
My focus is on better understanding how we can meet our members’ needs to ensure they are getting the most from their membership and our community as a whole.
What exciting things can we expect to see from your area of focus in the coming months? (e.g., social events, speakers, etc.)
Behind the scenes we are analyzing data to help other volunteers understand when, where, and what type of activities to organize. For example, we are organizing events to welcome new alums to the area and coordinating these events at multiple locations in the Bay Area, especially those where we have a higher concentration of alumni. On the other hand, we are also making sure that we properly spread out events to ensure we engage with those in less-concentrated areas. As an Oakland resident, I can confirm I’m not a fan of 45-minute drives to South Bay!
Describe one of your most memorable MIT moments.
Ironically, one my favorite experiences as an MIT student happened thousands of miles away. I visited Ghana with D-Lab in 2009. We visited a university and spent time in villages getting to know folks and better understand their needs. We also did technical demonstrations of devices the people could use to aid with farming, household lighting, and education. This was the first time I recognized that engineering is a superpower that I can use to drastically improve people’s lives. This experience gave me a new outlook on things, and truly changed my life for the better. D-Lab is at the top of my giving list every year because of it!