The University of Maryland’s Associate Vice President for Research Denise Clark has been recognized by the Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA) with the prestigious Campus Leaders Who Care Award.
This national award honors senior administrators who demonstrate exceptional commitment to safety by fostering collaboration, supporting resources, and championing policies that enhance a shared vision of safety across higher education. Each year, CSHEMA celebrates leaders who elevate environmental health and safety as a strategic priority, ensuring that the pursuit of research and innovation is supported by a foundation of responsibility and care.
“Denise Clark embodies the spirit of this award,” said Vice President for Research Patrick O’Shea. “Her leadership is defined by action, empathy, and an enduring belief that excellence in research and safety goes hand in hand. Over her 17 years at the University of Maryland, Denise has strengthened the research enterprise while continuously prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of our faculty, staff, and students. Those who work with her often describe her as both a visionary and a mentor, someone who leads with compassion and purpose.”
Transforming the Research Safety Landscape
In 2016, Denise was instrumental in establishing the Research Support and Oversight Committee (RSOC). The RSOC serves as an advisory group to senior leadership for research-related safety, compliance, integrity, and reputational risks. Those risks, coupled with extensive compliance and reporting requirements related to extramural funding, represent a significant burden on researchers and administrative systems at UMD. The RSOC ensures a coordinated approach to assessing, mitigating, and monitoring these risks and burdens. The RSOC’s innovative model unites university leadership and compliance offices to promote shared accountability in compliance and research operations.
In the area of research safety, the RSOC has led to several campus-wide advancements, including:
- Establishing the University of Maryland’s Expectations for Safe Research – Actionable measures for Principal Investigators and researchers emphasizing the shared responsibility for safety.
- Spearheading a Research Safety Standard –Signed by university leadership, the standard outlines requirements and best practices for research safety.
- Prescription Safety Glasses Program – Fully funded program providing prescription eye protection for researchers.
- Research Safety Management Platform – Early funding for the SciShield (formerly BioRAFT) compliance system, enabling centralized tracking of safety training, inspections, and communications.
A Lifelong Advocate for Safety and Partnership
Denise Clark’s influence extends far beyond her formal role. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when uncertainty and disruption challenged every facet of research, she prioritized and supported safe operations, recognizing that strong partnerships between administration and the Department of Environmental Safety, Sustainability and Risk (ESSR) were essential to maintaining continuity of critical research during a very challenging time.
Her collaboration with ESSR has yielded significant impact and results. Over the past decade, she has secured and directed funding toward safety initiatives, staff support, and infrastructure improvements. These investments also funded critical roles for chemical inventory management, Institutional Biosafety Committee administration, and safety operations for animal research.
A Leader Who Inspires Others
For those who know her, this recognition by CSHEMA comes as no surprise.
“For over a decade, I've observed Denise Clark's profound influence across our campus,” said ESSR Executive Director Mary Dorman, who nominated Denise Clark for her outstanding achievement and transformative contributions to campus safety culture. “Her leadership transcends any single department; it's a force that elevates the entire university community. She cultivates excellence not through directives, but through inspiration, leading with both unwavering strength and genuine compassion.
“Denise is a rare catalyst, a solution-finder who empowers individuals and fosters collaboration across all disciplines,” continued Dorman. “She doesn't just manage; she mentors, augments, and creates an environment where excellence and community spirit flourish. In a university that thrives on both innovation and collaboration, Denise stands as an irreplaceable pillar.”
“Her ability to empower individuals, encourage collaboration, and advocate for safety as an institutional value has helped elevate the University of Maryland’s reputation as a national model for research safety leadership,” said O’Shea.
About the Award
The Campus Leaders Who Care Award honors senior administrators such as presidents, provosts, and vice presidents who exemplify commitment to safety communication, empowerment, and resource allocation. Nominees are evaluated for their ability to articulate a vision of safety, provide financial support, recognize others’ contributions, and integrate safety systems into institutional frameworks. Selection for the award reflects not only leadership, but also dedication to fostering a safe, inclusive, and thriving research environment.
About CSHEMA
Founded in 1954, CSHEMA is the only organization exclusively dedicated to serving environmental health and safety professionals in higher education. Through networking, education, and advocacy, the association provides resources that empower institutions to integrate safety into every facet of their operations. The Campus Leaders Who Care Award reflects CSHEMA’s belief that safety leadership begins at the top—and that meaningful change happens when senior administrators commit to promoting a culture where safety is both valued and visible.