Meet the Clemson University National Scholars
National Scholars are an academically and geographically diverse group. They have majored in disciplines from all of Clemson's academic colleges. And they have come from as close as Greenville, S.C., and as far away as Tirana, Albania.
Just as they were selected in part for their commitment to leadership and service, Scholars continue to be involved in extracurricular activities at Clemson. In fact, most hold leadership positions in campus organizations.
National Scholars also work closely with Clemson professors through the Creative Inquiry program and in conducting other research.
Meet our Scholar cohorts (organized by the year they were admitted to Clemson University) below:
2026 Scholars
Toluwakitan Akinsola
Hometown: Antioch, TN
Major: Computer Engineering
Visit Toluwakitan's LinkedIn page
Ana Sofia Contreras
Hometown: Beaverton, OR
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Amanda de Leon
Hometown: Simpsonville, SC
Major: Financial Management
Minors: Artificial Intelligence and Spanish
Visit Amanda's LinkedIn page
Eesha Kothari
Hometown: Kingsport, TN
Majors: Mechanical Engineering
Minors: Technical German and Business Administration
Visit Eesha's LinkedIn page
2025 Scholars
Kaia Dunford
Hometown: Princeville, HI
Major: Wildlife and Fisheries Biology
Minor: Chinese Studies
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Owen Frasor
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Majors: Political Science and Performing Arts (Music)
Minor: Italian Studies
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Robert Johnson
Hometown: Indian Land, SC
Majors: Philosophy and Computer Science
Minors: Artificial Intelligence and Mathematics
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Jill Parreno
Hometown: Silver Spring, MD
Major: Nursing
Minors: Public Policy and Public Health Certificate
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Elizabeth Polatty
Hometown: Greenwood, SC
Major: Biochemistry
Minor: Spanish
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Evgenia (Jane) Zheltov
Hometown: Lexington, SC
Major: Environmental and Natural Resources
Minor: Chemistry
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2024 Scholars
Nadia Chestnut
Hometown: Columbus, GA
Major: Data Science
Minors: Artificial Intelligence and Philosophy
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Adam Gibson
Hometown: Arlington, VA
Major: Data Science
Minor: Artificial Intelligence
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Fred Lucca
Hometown: Santo Ângelo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Major: Management (Business Analytics)
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Sarah Pacer
Hometown: Hudson, OH
Major: Nursing
Minor: Public Health Certificate
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Elizabeth Perkins
Hometown: Charleston, SC
Major: Language and International Business
Minor: Political Science
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Meridee Ritzer
Hometown: Rock Hill, SC
Major: Chemistry
Minors: Geology and Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences
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Ella Thompson
Hometown: Charleston, SC
Major: Economics
Minor: Sustainability
Visit Ella's LinkedIn page
2023 Scholars
Gretchen Highberger
Hometown: Bettendorf, IA
Major: Environmental Engineering
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Carley Hitzelberger
Hometown: Greenville, SC
Major: Nursing
Minors: Spanish and Public Health Certificate
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Shayar Joshi
Hometown: Greenville, SC
Major: Packaging Science
Minor: Engineering Leadership
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Summer Marold
Hometown: Chapel Hill, NC
Majors: Language and International Business
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Briggs Murray
Hometown: Charleston, SC
Majors: Political Science and French
Minors: East Asian Studies and History
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Tulsi Patel
Hometown: Simpsonville, SC
Major: Philosophy
Concentration: Medicine, Health and Human Values
Minor: Public Policy
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Claudia Portocarrero
Hometown: Miami, FL
Major: Language and International Health
Visit Claudia's LinkedIn page
