Charles R. Clink, Jr., LSWAIC

Bachelor of Science, Social Work Graduating Class ‘2018

Charles R. Clink, Jr. (Prince) is a 2018 Alumna of York College Baccalaureate of Science Social Work Program, and a veteran of the United States Navy with the rank of E-1. Prince earned his MSW degree from New York University in 2020.

Prince is a founding member of the Chi Sigma MSW chapter of Phi Alpha National Honor Society for Social Work, charted on February 23, 2018. He is also a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and is on the Board of Directors for Mentors Against Drugs and Guns through Experience (M.A.D.G.E).

While at York, Prince started as a general member of the Social Work Empowering and Encouraging Together (S.W.E.E.T.) Club, later became the Vice President (2017), then President (2018). In these roles, Prince and fellow club members focused on restorative justice within New York State prisons, advocating for post-secondary education and illustrating both societal and personal benefits of having access to college courses inside prisons. Under the inspired leadership of Dr. Selena T. Rodgers, who dedicated 13 years as the faculty advisor of the S.W.E.E.T. Club, Prince and fellow scholars also collaborated with the counseling center for National Depression Screening Day at CUNY York College as well as the Men’s and Women's Center to engage in the Out of the Darkness Walk: Walk to Fight Suicide, held in Queens, NY. He also served as the Program Coordinator for the CUNY York College Male Initiative/Fatherhood Initiative Program at the Men's Center, under the leadership of Dr. Jonathan Quash.  

Prince is a published author of his memoir titled Against All Odds. While serving thirteen years within New York State Department of Corrections, Prince earned an associate degree from Bard College. He wanted to utilize his experience to help at-risk adolescents make the right decisions in life, and not make the same mistakes he had done. Throughout his career as a social worker, Prince has been working with children, adolescents, and adults who suffer from mental health and behavioral issues, helping them work through personal challenges. 

"My time at York was not only a source of academic fulfillment, but it was also a function of camaraderie and connections among other student scholars and faculty with whom I still keep in contact."