Meet the Director

Dr. Julianne A. Wenner is a Professor of Science Education in the Department of Teaching and Learning. Her work with the Center for Transformational Mentorship (CTM) is grounded in the belief that effective mentoring has the power to transform graduate education by fostering belonging, professional growth, and long-term success for both mentors and mentees.

Throughout her career, Dr. Wenner's research has spanned graduate education, mentoring, professional identity development, teacher leadership, and science education, with a particular interest in creating systems that help individuals grow as scholars, educators, and leaders. She has served as PI or Co-PI on numerous externally funded projects, including several supported by the National Science Foundation, many of which have focused on graduate student development, mentoring, and professional learning.

Dr. Wenner has extensive experience mentoring graduate students, early-career faculty, and educators. She currently coordinates the Ph.D. and Ed.S. in Teaching and Learning programs, has chaired or co-chaired numerous doctoral dissertations, and has published and presented with several current and former graduate students. Her commitment to mentoring extends beyond individual relationships to developing evidence-based mentoring programs, mentor training, and institutional cultures that support meaningful and inclusive mentoring practices.

As Director of the CTM, Dr. Wenner works with faculty, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and campus partners to strengthen mentoring across the university. She is committed to helping Clemson create a culture in which mentoring is intentional, collaborative, and recognized as an essential component of research excellence and student success.

Before joining Clemson, Dr. Wenner served on the faculty at Boise State University and was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Connecticut. Prior to entering higher education, she taught middle and elementary school science, experiences that continue to shape her collaborative and learner-centered approaches to teaching, mentoring, and leadership. Outside of her professional roles, Dr. Wenner enjoys spending time outdoors with her children and exploring the natural world, and brings that same sense of curiosity, connection, and lifelong learning to her work.

Faculty Webpage