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President’s Leadership Institute

  • Sikes Hall, Clemson University, Clemson SC
  • Cohort Group 2017, Presidents Leadership Institute, Clemson University, Clemson South Carolina
  • Cohort Group 2016, Presidents Leadership Institute, Clemson University, Clemson South Carolina

What is the President’s Leadership Institute?

The President’s Leadership Institute is a nine-month leadership development program that is designed to support and develop professional and personal leadership within a diverse and inclusive community of faculty and staff at Clemson University. The institute enables participants to build individual effectiveness, understand the power of critical thinking and communication, learn directly from President Jim Clements and embrace their own ability to lead within the Clemson community. Each cohort consists of 25 faculty and staff nominated by University leadership.

The President’s Leadership Institute is an exciting opportunity for emerging, high-potential, and high-performing members of the faculty and staff of Clemson University. For more information, contact Kyra Lobbins at 773-909-4852 or klobbin@clemson.edu.

  • Goals of the President's Leadership Institute
    • Enable personal and professional growth for every participant.
    • Ensure high levels of familiarity and interaction among faculty and staff from all areas of the University.
    • Offer opportunities for dialogue and discussion on topics important to the state of our University and its environment and constituents.
    • Provide an in-depth, clearer understanding of the internal structure and unique characteristics of our University landscape.
    • Create dialogue and discussion on topics important to the state of our University and its constituents.
    • Explore issues and opportunities facing higher education in general and those specific to Clemson such as our mission, strategies, priorities, governance, stakeholders and internal/external relations.
    • Broaden perspectives of Clemson's impact at a state, regional, national, and international level.
    • Ensure strong University leadership for the future.
    • Improve the University's overall performance.
  • Who can participate?

    Each cohort of the President’s Leadership Institute (PLI) comprises 25 faculty and staff members from across the University who demonstrate exceptional performance in their respective areas. Faculty are nominated by the college deans and/or the Provost; staff are nominated by the University vice-presidents or corresponding divisional heads or senior administrators of the non-academic units of the University. A selection committee reviews the nominations for the final cohort. .

    Annual nominations for the cohort will be solicited in April.

  • What can I expect?

    During the nine-month program, the cohort meets once a month for an all-day session.

    Meetings take place at various locations on campus or in Greenville, Charleston or Columbia.

    Program participants should expect meetings to encompass elements of critical thinking, problem solving, self-analysis, exposure to new ideas, and rigorous and healthy discussion on a myriad of topics, and high levels of fellowship and interaction with fellow classmates.

    Potential topics include:

    • Clemson's history and character (land-grant, mission, governance model)
    • Clemson University as a business: what it takes to run a university and meet the needs of our constituents (finance, facilities, infrastructure)
    • Personal leadership skills/team building/leadership styles
    • Clemson's impact across South Carolina (Greenville, Columbia, Charleston, public service activities)
    • Conflict resolution
    • Diversity and inclusion
    • Governmental relations and external relations
    • Opportunities and challenges in higher education
    • Athletics
    • Strategic planning and university priorities
  • Timeline

    Nominations
    Annual nominations for the cohort will be solicited in April.
    Program runs from August through May of a given academic year.

    Each program includes:

    • Seven class days
    • An overnight trip to Columbia and Charleston
    • A graduation
    • Variety of site visits outside of main campus
  • President's Leadership Institute Classes

    2017 Cohort

    Beshah Ayalew, Ph.D.
    Professor of Automotive Engineering
    Graduate Program Coordinator
    College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences

    Todd Barnette
    Interim Chief Facilities Officer
    Office of Executive Vice President, Finances, Operations and Facilities

    Jeffrey Brown
    Associate Dean of Students
    Division of Student Affairs/Student Transitions and Family Programs

    Julia Brumaghim, Ph.D.
    Professor of Chemistry
    College of Science

    Beth Crocker
    Associate General Counsel
    Office of General Counsel

    Barry Garst, Ph.D.
    Associate Professor, Youth Development Leadership
    College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences/Parks, Recreation And Tourism Management

    Anne Grant
    Instruction Coordinator, Education Reference Librarian
    Cooper Library

    Christine Green
    Executive Director of University Marketing
    University Relations

    Patricia Guerra-Marcondes
    Research Associate, Food, Nutrition and Packaging Sciences
    College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences

    Shanika Holland
    Audit Manager
    Office of Executive Vice President, Finances, Operations and Facilities

    Tracy Kelly
    Administrative Coordinator
    College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences

    Deon Legette
    District Extension Director
    Clemson University Extension Service

    Oliver Myers, Ph.D.
    Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
    College of Engineering, Computing And Applied Sciences

    Jennifer Ogle, Ph.D.
    Associate Professor of Civil Engineering
    College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences

    Margaret Owen
    Senior Director of Development

    Matthew Powers, Ph.D.
    Associate Professor and Director of Landscape Architecture
    College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities

    Vladimir Reukov, Ph.D.
    Research Assistant Professor of Bioengineering
    College of Engineering, Computing And Applied Science

    Joseph Ryan, Ph.D. 
    Stanzione Distinguished Professor of Clemson Life
    College of Education

    Kevin Stone
    Systems Architect
    CCIT

    Kendra Stewart-Tillman, Ph.D.
    Director for Diversity and Inclusion
    Office of Inclusion and Equity, Gantt Multicultural Center

    Mary Von Kaenel, Ph.D.
    Director, Bridge to Clemson and Transfer Programs
    Division of Undergraduate Studies

    Kuang-Ching Wang, Ph.D.
    Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
    College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences

    Patrick Warren, Ph.D. a
    Associate Professor of Economics
    College of Business

    Sarah White, Ph.D. 
    Associate Professor of Plant and Environmental Science
    College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences

    Kyle Young, Ph.D.
    Associate Athletic Director of Administration
    Department of Athletics

    2016 Inaugural Cohort

    Ann Marie Alexander
    Assistant Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, External Affairs

    Sez Atamturktur, Ph.D.
    Provost’s Distinguished Professor, Assistant Vice President for Research Development
    College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences

    Michelle Cook, Ph.D.
    Interim Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs, Science Education
    College of Education

    Mark Cothran
    Associate VP, Government Affairs

    Latoya Daniels
    Human Resources Manager

    Delphine Dean, Ph.D.
    Associate Professor, Bioengineering
    College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences

    Steve Duzan
    Associate Athletics Director of Academics and Student Athlete Development
    Athletics

    Stephanie Evans
    Director, Student Services

    Julia Frugoli, Ph.D.
    Alumni Distinguished Professor, Associate Chair, Genetics and Biochemistry
    College of Science

    Leigh Haltiwanger, Ph.D.
    Interim Executive Director of Field and Clinical Partnerships and Outreach, Senior Lecturer,
    College of Education

    Carl Hollingsworth, Ph.D.
    Associate Professor, Accounting
    College of Business

    Winston Holton
    Field Coordinator, Call Me MISTER®

    Peter L. Laurence, Ph.D.
    Associate Professor, School of Architecture
    College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities

    Jessica Martin
    Director, Advising Center
    College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities

    Jean McKendry, Ph.D.
    Coordinator of Grant Development and Interdisciplinary Collaborations

    Julie K. Northcutt, Ph.D.
    Professor, Food, Nutrition and Packaging Sciences
    College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences
    Extension Program Team Leader, Food Safety and Nutrition Program
    Cooperative Extension Service

    Kimberly Poole, Ph.D.
    Associate Dean of Students
    Division of Student Affairs

    Uttiyo Raychaudhuri, Ph.D.
    Director, Study Abroad

    La’Toya Ritter-Maddox, Ph.D.
    Fiscal Manager

    Nathan Smith, Ph.D.
    Professor of Agribusiness Production, Extension Economist
    Cooperative Extension Service

    Helen Diamond Steele, Ph.D.
    Director, Office of Student Enrichment
    College of Business

    Rhonda Todd
    Administrative Coordinator, Office of Undergraduate Studies

    Khoa Dang Truong
    Associate Professor, Public Health Sciences
    College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences

    Marieke Van Puymbroeck, Ph.D.
    Associate Professor, Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
    Recreational Therapy Coordinator
    College of Health, Education and Human Development

    Andrew Wesolek
    Associate Librarian, Head of Digital Scholarship
    University Libraries