Erin Thompson is a current student in Clemson’s Digital Brand Communications MBA program, set to graduate in August of this year. In addition to her academic achievements, Erin plays a vital role at Clemson University as the Multimedia and Graphic Design Specialist for the Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine. Balancing a full-time position with graduate coursework, Erin exemplifies what it means to be driven, passionate, and forward-thinking. Her journey is one of growth, leadership, and a deep commitment to her craft and community.
Throughout the program, Erin has found several courses to be particularly influential in her development. One that stands out is Digital Media Planning, taught by Brian Stearns. “In this class, he brought in many guest speakers, which allowed us to learn directly from experts in the field,” she shares. As a residency weekend course, it also included participation from Brian’s team at RingoFire, which made the learning experience even more dynamic. Erin emphasized the value of these in-person weekends, saying, “Residency weekends allow face-to-face time with our cohorts, and that aspect enhances group projects and peer learning.”
One of the most impactful residency projects Erin participated in involved crafting a brand strategy for Glossier. The challenge required her team to devise ways for the brand to expand while maintaining its market position. This hands-on experience sharpened her strategic thinking and gave her a clear vision of how those insights could be applied in her professional work.
Erin’s Clemson journey began in a graphic design role, where she deepened her expertise in an area she initially explored during her undergraduate studies at Mississippi State University. That role was a stepping stone to her current position with the Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine, where she combines creativity with strategy. She credits the MBA program with helping her build a stronger strategic foundation, stating that the program “really helped with implementing strategy, which supported my transition into this new role.”
Beyond the classroom and workplace, Erin has taken the initiative to build community and support for her peers. Shortly after arriving at Clemson, she noticed the need for a space where young professionals in the marketing and communications field could connect and collaborate. From that vision, the Clemson MarComm Young Professionals group was born. Erin helped launch the initiative and continues to lead it, organizing monthly lunches, helping coordinate university-wide events like the MarComm holiday party, and planning future professional development workshops.
Looking ahead, Erin has clear aspirations: she hopes to move into a leadership role that meshes marketing strategy and creative direction. Her goal is to contribute on a larger scale by combining her design background with high-level marketing insights that would ultimately shape campaigns that are as effective as they are visually compelling.
To those considering the program or just beginning their MBA journey, Erin offers this advice: “Clemson alumni are so willing to help you, so make sure to take advantage of networking and cohort relationships. Just being a Clemson student is so important.”
Erin’s story is a testament to the power of combining passion with purpose. As she continues to build her career and uplift those around her, there’s no doubt she will leave a lasting mark at Clemson and well beyond.
