Kristi Baker has had the opportunity to watch Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) evolve at Clemson University as an undergraduate and a graduate student and now as a staff member in the College of Engineering Computing and Applied Sciences (CECAS). Prior to her role as the Graduate Student Services Manager in the Glenn Department of Civil Engineering, she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management right here at Clemson University, and while in her current role, she completed a Master of Education in Counselor Education with an emphasis in Student Affairs. Because of her degrees, her knowledge of Clemson, and her current staff position, she has been instrumental in helping first-generation graduate students pursue their master’s and Ph.D. degrees in civil engineering.
Kristi is well-known in her department as she helps graduate students during every stage of their program, from the application process through their coursework to graduation. She has served in this role for eighteen years and in that time has helped many graduate students complete their degrees and become successful professionals. In recognition of her efforts, Krisi was awarded the Hattie B. Wagener Endowed Classified Administrative Staff Award in 2013 and the Dean’s Exceptional Staff Award in 2022.
In her current role, she has also served for four years as the staff senator for the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences, representing the budget center of CECAS by serving on the executive committee of the Staff Senate and chairing the membership committee. She has found that being in the Senate “ has given her the opportunity to learn more about the issues that impact our staff on campus and to advocate on behalf of her fellow CECAS staff.” It has given her a voice to advocate for her colleagues at the University level.
Specific to DEI, Krisi wants to help create a campus community that encourages all members to feel safe and feel a sense of belonging. In particular, mental health is a priority for her, and she encourages normalizing conversations to help eliminate the stigma surrounding it
