Tag: staff

Randa Johnson, Student Services Manager, Industrial Engineering

“Shout-out to my new supervisor for making my transition into Industrial Engineering such a positive experience. I’m especially grateful for her support, open communication, and the welcoming environment she has created from day one.” – Stephanie Henry, Graduate Student Services Coordinator, Industrial Engineering

Amin Bibo, Director of Test Operations, Dominion Energy Innovation Center

“Dr. Amin Bibo is a tremendous ambassador for Clemson University, consistently representing Clemson with professionalism, kindness, and enthusiasm while generously sharing his time to lead tours of the Energy Innovation Center for industry partners and community members. His deep expertise, unique ability to explain complex operations in an engaging and accessible way, and commitment to identifying opportunities for businesses to partner with Clemson help create meaningful connections that strengthen both the University and our community.” – Denise Ciccarelli, Assistant Vice President, Corporate Partnerships

Shugart Lafleur, Procurement and Business Services-Contracts

“Shurgart is a team of one, reviewing and providing contracts & agreements for proucment related needs. She is attentive, responsive, and relatable. So thankful for her partnership!” – Katie Cato, Associate Business Officer, COE

Bill Brahm, Information Technology Consultant I. – CCIT

“I try other routes before I call Bill, but when I get stuck navigating Canvas’s sometimes beastly and sometimes marvelous teaching platform, as I try each semester anew to build a rich learning environment, he patiently works through the problems with me. He is never condescending, is candid about what he doesn’t know (which isn’t much when it comes to Canvas), and at least seems to enjoy exploring new solutions; his technical skill and generosity have made a lasting difference in my teaching and in my students’ learning.” – Susanna Ashton, Professor, English Department

Adam Kantrovich, Full Extension Specialist, Agribusiness

“Dr. Kantrovich is genuine, honest, and a voice we have needed during the last few months. Dr. Kantrovich always advocates for their students and employees – their support and willingness to speak out to help will be appreciated for years to come.” – Anonymous

Hyma Priya Donepudi, Finance /Human Resources Development

“Hyma consistently goes above and beyond to support our team. Her dedication, responsiveness, and commitment have a tremendous impact on our team’s success. Whenever we reach out for assistance, she is always ready and willing to help, approaching every request with professionalism, positivity, and a genuine desire to find solutions. Hyma is exceptionally organized and proactive. She stays on top of critical tasks, follows through on commitments, and ensures important items are completed on time. Her contributions positively influence the work we accomplish and play an important role in helping us achieve our goals.” – Anonymous

Jen Groff and Cristina Shorts, Office Manager and Program Manager, Department of Automotive Engineering

“Jen and Cristina worked hard to pitch a new initiative at CU-ICAR for the students and were granted funding. They are working hard to build an outdoor terrace area for students at CU-ICAR.” – Chali Hunter, Undergraduate Student Services Coordinator

Anthony Bernarducci, Professor and Choral Director, Performing Arts

“Anthony is the best boss and coworker anyone could ask for. His work ethic is unmatched, and his genuine care for the department and our students shines through in everything he does. I’m incredibly grateful for his leadership, support, and the countless ways he makes a difference every day.” – Alyssa Conner, Administrative Assistant, Performing Arts

Annette Parker, Accounts Payable, Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management (PRTM)

“Annette consistently goes above and beyond to support fellow staff members both within and outside of her department. She is always willing to lend a helping hand, share her knowledge, and step in wherever needed to ensure CU’s success.” – Anonymous

David Alexander, Jody Patterson, and Lee Ann Gowin; University Facilities

“Our department needed a grab bar because one of our employees was injured and needed assistance in standing from a seated position. We submitted a work order and received immediate and outstanding service in a friendly and helpful manner.” – Linda Rice, Director, Risk Services

Abby Buck, Administrative Coordinator, School of Nursing

“Huge shoutout to Abby Buck for organizing our department’s pack-out for our temporary relocation. Your dissemination of information, planning and positive attitude is making a stressful experience as smooth and efficient as possible for your School of Nursing teammates—thank you for your hard work!” – Anonymous

Bennie Brundidge, Director of Talent Management, Advancement

“Bennie embodies the Clemson spirit in everything he does. His impact across our department is felt in the way he interacts with others and provides support in any challenges team members are facing. We are so lucky to have him in Advancement!” – Anonymous

Lisa Arslaner, Conservation Scientist/Chemist, Conservation Center

“Lisa always goes above and beyond to help anyone and always ensures the lab is functional and well-maintained. She far exceeds expectations and always does so with a smile. We are extremely lucky.” – Anonymous

Elizabeth Brown, Post Award Accountant, Dean’s Office (College of Science)

“Elizabeth is committed to helping out everyone she can, whenever she can. She is an invaluable asset to the team and the professors she supports.” – Anonymous

Michelle Newman, Receiving Triage Leader, Veterinary Diagnostic Center

“Michelle has been the driving force in the successful transition to new laboratory software. She has spent unequivocal time and effort to ensure all lab sections were programmed properly. Thank you Michelle!” – Anonymous

Gregory Batt, Professor, Food, Nutrition and Packaging Sciences

“Greg is excellent at interfacing between the challenges the industry faces, applying his research to address those challenges, and bringing these real-world examples to the classroom.” – Anonymous

Serenity Wolf, Assistant Director of Recruitment and Retention, College of Science Dean’s Office

“Serenity consistently goes above and beyond in supporting student recruitment, engagement, and retention efforts in the College of Science. Her attention to detail, initiative, and genuine care for students make a meaningful impact on our team’s success and the experiences of those we serve, and I am incredibly grateful to have her as my first and outstanding team hire!” – Sharetta Wynn, Director of Recruitment and Retention, College of Science Dean’s Office

Kelly Coffin, Student Services Coordinator, Forestry and Environmental Conservation

“Kelly provides amazing mentorship and guidance to over 200 students every semester, and she is helping the department launch its first student advisory board. Her focus on student success and engagement is helping us deliver the No. 1 student experience!” – Kyle Barrett, Interim Chair, Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation

Peyton Bade-Snead, Assistant Director of Events, Department of Visits, Events and Orientation

“Peyton successfully spearheaded and executed the second year of Tigertown Takeover, our large-scale accepted student day, hosting 1,000 students. While campus partners across the University supported the event, it would not have been possible without Peyton’s leadership, adaptability, and vision.” – Anonymous

Becky Garrigan, Benefits Navigator, Office of Human Resources

“Becky has truly gone above-and-beyond in helping me navigate between the various Clemson HR Departments, SC PEBA, and other organizations to understand all of the various forms and processes involved in a retirement from Clemson. Becky always made herself available by email and meetings to review these procedures. She also patiently answered all of my questions and found answers when she had to reach out to others.” – Ann Marie Alexander, Associate VP, Office of Corporate Partnerships

Richard Cannady, Security Specialist, Physical Security Operations Center, CU Public Safety

“Consistently puts in the effort to be great at his work. He is regularly trusted by our police to use our technology tools to help them be more effective.” – James Gowan, Physical Security Program Coordinator

Serita Acker, Executive Director, PEER & Wise

“Through Serita’s 35 years of dedication as a staff member with CECAS, Serita’s passion for student success and retention has enabled her to secure more than $7M+ in funding for retention and Engineering awareness programs. She has recently secured $1.6M from GE. Part of this money will be used to give out scholarships to high school students who complete the program. I am honored to work alongside someone with such a passion for helping students. CECAS is very lucky!” – Regina Taylor, Assistant Director, Assessment & Continuous Improvement

Carson Watts, Academic Advisor

“Carson exemplifies what it means to truly support students. As my academic advisor, she has gone above and beyond to help me balance a full-time career, graduate school, and being a present father. She has thoughtfully built my course schedule, supported my certificate goals, and consistently makes the MBA experience both manageable and rewarding. What stands out most is her genuine care and responsiveness. Whether it is a quick question or something more complex, Carson is always willing to help, even outside of normal hours. I am incredibly grateful for her support and the impact she has had on my Clemson MBA experience.” – Stone Tracy, Financial Business Manager, CECAS

Madison Carter, Assistant Director of Academic Advising, Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business

“The General Engineering Advising Center would like to congratulate Madison Carter on her well-deserved promotion! She has consistently demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and leadership, often going above and beyond in her role. This promotion reflects the incredible work she has already been doing, and we are excited to see her continue to thrive and make an impact in her new position. Congratulations, Madison!” – Anonymous

Laura Kinard, Student Services Manager, Department of Materials Science and Engineering

“Laura is the gold standard of Student Services staff in the entire university with her unbelievable response time, institutional knowledge, and old-school, proactive work ethic! There’s no job she won’t tackle, as exhibited recently when she was running reports for her department and alleviating student issues, all while organizing a poster competition, a guest speaker event, and coordinating an external advisory board visit – which she set up tables, easels and posterboard for herself. We are lucky to have her at Clemson!” – Anonymous

Madison Carter, Program Coordinator/Advisor, General Engineering Advising Center

“The General Engineering Advising Center would like to congratulate Madison Carter on her new role as the Assistant Director of Academic Advising in the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business! Her dedication, professionalism and consistent excellence make her an invaluable member of our team, whom we will miss dearly! This achievement reflects the great work she has already been doing, and we are so excited to see all she will accomplish in her new role.” – Anonymous

Anthony Work, Associate Director, CECAS CORE

“Thank you so much to Anthony Work for coming out at the last minute to help us set up for a faculty meeting. He is super knowledgeable and always willing to help!” – Kay Faith, Mechanical Engineering

Patricia Whitener, 4-H Natural Resource Programs & Well-Being Council Ambassador, Extension

“Patricia did another wonderful job organizing Forest Fest. It was such a success and added value to the Clemson Community.” – Anonymous

Jennifer Robertson, Office Manager, General Engineering

“Jennifer did a fantastic job organizing and running Major Discovery Night. Because of her work, over 400 students had a fantastic experience networking with Clemson alumni working in engineering, along with faculty and students. It got rave reviews from students and alumni, all thanks to her planning, hard work, and dedication to providing the number one student experience.” – Anonymous

Kimberly Francis, Administrative Coordinator I, Finance & Operations

“Kim is an amazing person! She is so kind and helpful, and if she isn’t sure how to help, she finds someone who can.” – Anonymous

Johnsie Stancil, Honors Advisor/Registration Coordinator, Honors College

“Appreciate all your help with the Distinction Ceremony planning, I couldn’t do it without you! Three words – Spreadsheet of Truth. 🙂 ” – Ashley Romero, Office Manager, Honors College

Cheryl Ingram-Smith, Associate Professor, Genetics and Biochemistry

“Cheryl Ingram-Smith genuinely cares about people, and she is wonderful to work with. She has a gift for bringing light into moments that can sometimes feel stressful or dim. Her thoughtfulness, support, and optimistic spirit have an impact on those she interacts with. I personally feel blessed to work in her department and I hope this reciprocates some of that back to her. Cheryl, if you are reading this, please know how special you are to our community! Thank you for being you.” – Anonymous

Anna Grace Araiza, Language and International Business (LAIB) Advisor, Student Services

“Anna Grace consistently demonstrates exceptional diligence as the LAIB advisor, going above and beyond to support her students with thoughtful guidance and a genuine commitment to their success. Her proactive approach, attention to detail, and unwavering dedication make a lasting impact on both her advisees and the broader College of Arts and Humanities community.” – Daja Daniels, Recruitment and Career Specialist, Student Services

Derek Antos, The Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business, CCIT

“Derek is always responsive and knowledgeable! He is always there when unexpected tech issues arise and goes above and beyond to support our students, faculty and staff. We are so fortunate to have Derek’s patience and talent in The Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business!” – Anonymous

Carson Watts, Academic Advisor, MBA program

“Carson leads with genuine kindness and a willingness to always go the extra mile, making a real difference for our students and our team every day. When we needed her most, Carson stepped up to take on over 200 additional students and handled it all with positivity, grace, and a smile that never faded.” – Anonymous

Victoria Davich, Grants Coordinator I, Grants and Contracts Administration

“Victoria Davich and her Grants Transactional Services team deserve recognition for their outstanding support. Victoria has played a key role in streamlining contract modification processes, and her professionalism—along with her team’s efforts—has been invaluable in advancing our research and supporting Clemson Elevate; she is a pleasure to work with, even on complex projects.” – Anonymous

Nidhi Verma, Business Communications/Technology Specialist, Office of eRA

“Nidhi’s responsiveness, technical expertise, calm demeanor, and professionalism during our website project have been outstanding. We are fortunate to work alongside Nidhi in this process. Thank you, Nidhi!” – Diana Thrasher, Associate Director, Office of Sponsored Programs

Sarah Reeves, Financial Business Manager, Finance and Operations

“Sarah is always great to work with and it there to help even if a task may seem too difficult. She will step up and lend a hand while also being sure everything is done properly. With how busy this year has been, she’s been a great help.” – Anonymous

Shay Vinson, Student Services Coordinator, Richard A. McMahan School of Architecture

“Shay is one of those rare people who makes everyone around her feel a little more supported, a lot more seen, and incredibly cared for. Her heart for student, faculty, and staff wellness and mental health shows up in the small, everyday moments. Whether checking in after a tough studio week, sharing encouragement when it is needed most, or highlighting the achievements of her colleagues, Shay always makes the School of Architecture feel like home.” – Anonymous

Xiao Yang, Manager, Department of Plant Industry Laboratories

“Dr. Yang does a great job managing his many labs. He is a wonderful supervisor and has really grown into his role. He supports his employees and students to help them grow by creating a respectful and fun environment.” – Anonymous

Barbara Bass, Director of Research Support Services, College of Science

“Barbara finds answers to tough questions…and often makes me laugh, even when the news is bad!” – Anonymous

Kristie Marr, Project Manager, Clemson University Learning Institute

“Kristie leads with kindness, solves problems with creativity, and keeps everything organized along the way. She notices what people need and is always willing to speak up on behalf of others. Kristie leads with integrity, and her commitment to excellence and passion for serving others shine through in everything she does. Her innovative thinking and willingness to troubleshoot challenges are truly an asset. It is truly a joy working with her.” – Cathy Moore, Director of Training, ThinkShops – Clemson University Learning Institute

John Hannon, Founding Director, Brook T. Smith Launchpad

“Dr. Hannon’s vision and implementation for connecting faculty, staff and students with alumni and the greater Clemson community is unprecedented. He cares about our students and their future post Clemson. He serves as a mentor to many, including his own staff.” – Kimberly Stokes Morgan, Executive Operations Specialist, Clemson Athletic Ventures

Levi Roach, Outreach and Operations Manager

“Levi is a consistently positive and dedicated member of our team. He oversees the Fluor Study Hall and Tutoring Center, providing academic support to all undergraduate students in the college. He also leads community outreach efforts that bring K–12 students to campus, exposing them to STEM disciplines and Clemson University. While managing a full-time role, Levi recently completed his master’s degree and actively serves in Staff Senate. His leadership, commitment to student success, and service to the university make him highly deserving of this nomination.” – Serita Acker, Executive Director

Brittany Sanders-Bell, Assistant Director of Next Engineers Greenville

“Brittany Sanders-Bell is a true standout and an invaluable leader on our team, deserving of this shout-out. She plays a key role in supporting a $5 million grant awarded to PEER & WISE to strengthen the engineering pipeline. Brittany helps oversee outreach to middle and high school students and the community, as well as an exceptional academy program that has successfully recruited many students to Clemson University with scholarships. Her leadership, dedication, and impact make her highly deserving this shout-out.” – Serita Acker, Executive Director

Department of Residential Living

“Thank you for showing up in such a big way during the recent inclement weather and supporting Housing Operations and the Area Desk. Your flexibility and willingness to jump in wherever needed made a real difference for staff and our students. Because of your teamwork, our operations continued to run smoothly and residential students were supported – which is what your department does best! We are so grateful for your partnership and behind-the-scenes hard work—ResLiving truly came through, and we couldn’t have done it without you!” – Brianna Lombardozzi, Director, Housing Operations

Leah Qualkinbush, Human Resources Service Manager

“We appreciate Leah so very much for her ongoing assistance! Whether it is a quick administrative need or a longer-term thought process or research project, she is a great partner in our work to support both staff and students!” – Kathy Bush Hobgood, Associate Vice President, Student Affairs

Daja Daniels, Recruitment and Career Specialist

“Shout-out to Daja Daniels for always going above and beyond in every area. She does a wonderful job and organizing open houses for the college, advising her student ambassadors, and ensuring every prospective student visit is coupled with an advisor or faculty member of the major. She also does an exemplary job in her position of Building Security Coordinator. Daja spreads joy and laughter everywhere she goes.” – Anonymous

Emily Goodyear, Administrative Coordinator to the Dean, College of Arts and Humanities

“Thank you for all of the help with room reservations! You are awesome!” – Stacey Marcus, Program Manager, Student Success Initiatives