Category: Opportunities

By: Beth Anne Johnson, Marketing and Communications Manager, PEER Program

College is hard. Engineering and computing college is harder. And the students who thrive are not always the most naturally gifted — they are the ones who find their people, use their resources, and show up even when the semester gets heavy.

That is exactly what PEER is here for.

What Is PEER?

PEER — Programs for Educational Enrichment and Retention — is the student success center within Clemson’s College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences. We exist for one reason: to make sure talented students do not just arrive at Clemson but stay, grow, and graduate ready to lead.

And here is something every CECAS student should know — PEER is open to every undergraduate in the college. You do not need an invitation. You do not need to be struggling. You just need to walk through the door.

Your Mentors Are Waiting

At the heart of PEER is our mentoring program — a team of trained upperclassmen who have navigated the same coursework, the same pressures, and the same late nights you are facing right now. They hold weekly office hours in the PEER Lounge in Freeman Hall, and they are there to help you work through academic challenges, navigate the Clemson experience, and build the kind of confidence that carries you all the way to graduation.

Drop in. Ask your question. Stay a while. That is what the lounge is for.

Weekly Mentor Meetings — Now Open to All Students

This semester we opened our weekly mentor meetings to every CECAS student who wants to attend. These sessions run every Thursday from 5:00 to 6:00 PM — unless we have a special event, which we will always announce in advance.

Each week covers something different — and we designed the calendar intentionally to meet students where they are across the full arc of the semester. Here is what we have been up to and what is still ahead:

Fall 2026 Workshop and Event Calendar

November and December

• November 5 — Stress, Anxiety, and Mental Health Resources
• November 19 — Thanksgiving Dinner — come eat, rest, and be with your people
• December 3 — Gingerbread House Competition
• December 10 — End of semester celebration

More Than a Program — A Community

What makes PEER different is not any single workshop or event. It is the accumulation of small moments — the mentor who remembered your name, the Thursday session where something clicked, the dinner where you realized you were not carrying this alone.

We are not here to fix you. You do not need fixing. We are here to walk alongside you — through the hard weeks, the big decisions, and the moments when Clemson feels like the best place in the world.

Come find us. Freeman Hall, Room 158. The door is open and so are we. 🧡🐾

PEER is open to all undergraduate students in the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences at Clemson University. Weekly mentor meetings are held every Thursday from 5:00 to 6:00 PM unless otherwise noted.

By: Beth Anne Johnson, Communications & Marketing Manager
PEER at Clemson University

Engineering and computing coursework is rigorous by design. The material is demanding, the pace is fast, and there will be weeks when a concept that seemed clear in lecture refuses to make sense on paper at 11 o’clock at night.

That is not a sign that you do not belong here. It is a sign that you are exactly where PEER Tutoring exists to help.

What Is PEER Tutoring?
PEER Tutoring is a free academic support service available to every undergraduate student in Clemson’s College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences. Our tutors are fellow CECAS students — upperclassmen who have successfully completed the courses you are navigating right now and chose to show up for someone else because of it.

They are not here because you are failing. They are here because you are serious about succeeding.

What Can I Bring?
Anything. A concept from lecture that is not clicking. A problem set you have worked through three times without confidence. A subject you want to get ahead of before the next exam. Our tutors are trained to meet you where you are — whether you are keeping up, getting ahead, or working through a genuinely tough stretch.

When and Where?
PEER Tutoring is available Monday through Thursday from 7:00 to 10:00 PM in Freeman Hall, Room 158. No appointment needed. Just walk in.

One More Thing

Executive Director Serita Acker puts it simply: tutoring is not just for when you are struggling. It is for when you are preparing to do your very best.
Come find us. The door is open and so are our tutors. 🧡🐾

📍 Freeman Hall, Room 158 | Clemson University
🕖 Monday – Thursday | 7:00 – 10:00 PM

“The skills you build here, how you communicate, how you lead, how you connect with the people around you — are just as essential as anything you will learn in a classroom.”

– Serita Acker, Executive Director, PEER

By: Serita Acker, Executive Director, PEER at Clemson University

If you have walked past our office lately, visited our website, or scrolled through our social media channels, you may have noticed something a little different. The name has changed — and with it, a renewed clarity of purpose.

We are PEER. Programs for Educational Enrichment and Retention. And we have never been more ready to serve you.

For years, this program has stood at the intersection of academic excellence and community — a place where engineering, computing, and applied sciences students come not just to survive their coursework, but to thrive in it and beyond it. That has not changed. What has changed is how we show up.

The rebrand reflects something we have believed all along: that the skills you build here — how you communicate, how you lead, how you connect with the people around you — are just as essential as anything you will learn in a classroom. We call them essential skills. And together with the rigorous technical education you are already receiving in the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences, they are what will set you apart in every room you walk into after graduation.

You will still find the same warm welcome at our door. The same mentors who know your name. The same commitment to making sure every student who walks through our doors walks out more prepared, more connected, and more confident than when they arrived.

PEER has a new look. The heart behind it has never wavered.
Come see us. We are right where we have always been — and we are so glad you are here.

Serita Acker is the Executive Director of PEER at Clemson University’s College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences.

By: Beth Anne Johnson

Finals are around the corner, and we know this season can feel like a sprint and a marathon all at once. That’s why PEER is opening our doors all month long with something simple that makes a big difference: snacks, community, and a place to breathe.

Throughout December, swing by the PEER space during your study sessions and fuel up with free snacks to keep your energy steady and your mind sharp. Whether you’re reviewing notes before an exam, putting the finishing touches on a project, or just need a moment to reset, we’ve got you covered.

Think of this as your home base—somewhere you can settle in, recharge, and know you’re not doing this alone. Bring a friend, grab a granola bar or a cup of something warm, and get back to your work feeling a little lighter and a little more supported.

We’re proud of the hard work you’ve put in this semester, and we want to help you finish strong. So stop by, take a break, and let us cheer you on as you close out the year.

See you in December!

By: Beth Anne Johnson

As we approach the busy stretch of the semester, students are working hard to stay on top of their classes, projects, and exams. At PEER, we know that having the right study tools can make all the difference—especially when you’re tackling tough engineering and computing coursework.

That’s why we’re hosting a Supplemental Materials Drive, and we’d love your help.

If you have old exams, study guides, worksheets, or review packets from previous semesters, consider passing them forward. These materials give future students a clearer picture of what to expect, how to prepare, and where to focus their time. Something that once lived at the bottom of your backpack could be exactly what helps someone else feel confident walking into their next test.

How to Participate:
Simply drop off your materials at Freeman 158 anytime during office hours. Our team will organize and share them with students who need extra support in their classes.

Your contribution—big or small—helps strengthen our community of learners. Thank you for taking a few minutes to make someone else’s academic journey a little easier.

Let’s keep lifting each other up, one exam at a time.

Big exams can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to prepare alone. PEER & WISE is here to support you with Common Exam Study Sessions—designed to bring students together, share resources, and build confidence before the big test.

If you’re enrolled in CHEM 1010/1020, MATH 1060/1080, or PHYS 1220/2210, these sessions are for you. Held in Freeman Hall, our study nights are led by experienced tutors who know the material inside and out. You’ll have the chance to review key concepts, work through practice problems, and learn strategies that make exam time less stressful.

More than just tutoring, these sessions are about community—cheering each other on and reminding every Tiger that success is within reach.

Location: Freeman Hall 102
Time: 7:00–10:00 PM
Dates: See the poster below for this semester’s schedule

Bring your notes, your questions, and your determination. We’ll take care of the rest. Let’s tackle common exams together—because when Tigers study as a team, we all win.

At PEER & WISE, we know that success in engineering and science comes with the right support. That’s why our free tutoring program is open Sunday through Thursday, 7:00–10:00 p.m. in Freeman 102. Whether you’re tackling a tough homework set, preparing for an exam, or just need a fresh way of looking at a problem, our tutors are here to help you find your stride.

Tutoring is open to all students in the College of Engineering, Computing, and Applied Sciences. You’ll find a welcoming environment, patient guidance, and peers who understand the challenges of your coursework. It’s not just about solving equations — it’s about building confidence, finding community, and knowing you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

Check out our tutoring schedule below to see when help is available for your classes. Bring your questions, bring a friend, and let’s work through it together.

Freeman Hall | Sunday–Thursday | 7–10 p.m. | Open to Everyone!

By: Beth Anne Johnson

The PEER WISE Experience (PWE) is a four-week summer program designed for incoming Clemson students to get a head start—earning college credits before their first fall semester begins. This award-winning program is known for its excellence, with a 100% retention rate that speaks for itself. PWE sets the foundation for success, connection, and confidence—long before classes officially start.

This July, kicked off another great season of the PEER WISE Experience as we welcomed over 30 incredible students to campus—our newest members of the Tiger family!

If you weren’t able to join us in person, don’t worry—this blog series is for you. We’re sharing a few (not all!) of our time-tested tools for success so you can start applying the PEER WISE mindset from wherever you are.

Each post gives you a glimpse into what makes PWE special—and how you can put these strategies into practice, self-application style. And as always, we’re cheering you on every step of the way.

Let’s get started.

By Serita Acker, Executive Director, PEER WISE at Clemson University

Let’s tackle a myth that trips up even the most outgoing students:
“Community just happens organically.”

The truth? Sometimes it does. You might meet your best friend in a lab, at a study session, or walking across campus. But more often than not, real community doesn’t just “happen”—it takes intention.

One of the things I always tell our PEER WISE students is this: You have to show up. Not just for class or for grades, but for people. Community is built when you take the risk to say “hi” at a club meeting. It’s built when you stay after an event to help clean up and end up laughing with someone who becomes a friend. It’s built when you come back, again and again, even when you feel unsure.

Yes, there are organic moments—those unexpected connections that make you feel like you belong. But those moments often start because someone made a move: they invited, welcomed, asked a question, offered a smile, or created a space.

That’s what we do at PEER WISE. We don’t leave community to chance. We plan gatherings, mentor meetups, workshops, and study groups on purpose. We send the emails. We open the doors. We encourage students to invite a friend. We create space so those organic moments can actually happen.

So if you’re sitting on the sidelines wondering when your people will find you—this is your nudge. Show up. Say yes. Try again. The students you’re looking for? They might be looking for you, too.

Community takes time. But it’s worth the effort. And you don’t have to build it alone.

By Serita Acker, Executive Director of PEER WISE at Clemson University

Let’s go ahead and bust this myth wide open: Tutoring is not just for students who are failing. In fact, some of our strongest and most successful students use tutoring regularly. Why? Because smart students know that asking for help is not a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of wisdom.

At PEER WISE, we see tutoring as a tool for growth, not a rescue plan. It’s a space where students sharpen their skills, ask big questions, and deepen their understanding. It’s where good students become great students.

Think about it like this: elite athletes still have coaches. They don’t wait until they’re injured or off their game to train—they work with experts all the time to stay at the top of their field. Tutoring works the same way.

Some students come to tutoring to get unstuck on a tough assignment. Others drop in weekly to stay on track and build confidence before exams. And many come just to talk through a problem out loud, because sometimes hearing yourself think makes all the difference.

Tutoring is also about connection. It’s a chance to meet upper-level students who’ve taken the course before and can offer not just content help, but real advice on how to manage the workload, talk to professors, or organize your time. Sometimes, what students need most is someone to say, “You’ve got this. I’ve been there too.”

So if you’re sitting in a class that’s moving fast or feels overwhelming, don’t wait for a red alert to ask for help. Step into a space that’s built to support you—before the stress sets in.

Our tutoring sessions are free, welcoming, and open to everyone. Whether you’re aiming for a passing grade or a perfect score, PEER WISE is here to walk with you.

Because learning is never a solo sport. And you don’t have to do this alone.

— Serita Acker
Executive Director, PEER WISE
Clemson University