Category: Outreach

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, PEER WISE at Clemson University

Let’s clear something up right now: You don’t need to be a straight-A student to succeed in engineering.

This is one of the biggest myths I hear, and it holds too many brilliant students back. Engineering is challenging, yes—but it’s not about perfection. It’s about perseverance, problem-solving, and finding your own rhythm.

Over the years, I’ve seen students graduate and go on to do amazing things in the world of STEM—not because they never made a B (or a C), but because they didn’t give up when things got tough. They asked questions. They got help. They learned how to learn.

What matters most in engineering—and in life—is grit. The ability to get back up after a hard test. The humility to go to office hours. The courage to raise your hand when something doesn’t make sense. Those are the things that carry you through.

I want students to know: Your GPA doesn’t define your potential. It’s just one part of your story. If you’re passionate about building things, solving problems, or helping people through innovation, you belong in engineering.

At PEER WISE, we surround our students with support, community, and the belief that they are capable—no matter where they start. We believe in meeting you where you are and helping you grow from there.

So if you’ve ever felt like you weren’t “good enough” for engineering because of a grade, let this be your sign: You are more than a number.

Stay focused. Stay curious. Keep showing up.

We’re here for you—every step of the way.
—
Serita Acker
Executive Director, PEER WISE
Clemson University

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

By: Serita Acker

Each summer, I think about how the rhythm of campus life shifts. The energy is quieter, but that doesn’t mean it’s idle. In fact, I believe summer is one of the most strategic seasons for growth — not just for students, but for alumni and educators too.

Whether you’re about to step onto campus for the first time or reflecting on your journey as an alum, summer offers one critical gift: space. Space to prepare. Space to explore. Space to give back.
Here’s how I encourage our students, staff, faculty and extended PEER WISE family to make the most of it:
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INCOMING STUDENTS:
Use this time to get curious. Learn your campus culture, connect with mentors, and build your confidence before your first day. These early steps are often where belonging begins.

CURRENT STUDENTS:
Don’t wait for the school year to build your résumé. Intern, volunteer, start a creative project, or rest intentionally. Growth doesn’t always happen in a classroom — sometimes it happens at a community center, a summer job, or in the quiet of reflection.

GRADUATING STUDENTS:
This is your moment to transition with purpose. Revisit your goals. Seek out alumni. Sharpen your professional presence. And yes — celebrate how far you’ve come.

ALUMNI:
We need you. Students don’t just need advice; they need to see what’s possible. Whether it’s mentoring, speaking, or simply checking in — your presence matters more than you know. Your story is someone else’s blueprint.
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We often treat summer like a pause. I see it as both a pause and a pivot — a season where intentional moves set the tone for what’s next.

To our students: take initiative.
To our alumni: stay engaged.
To my colleagues in education: let’s continue creating the conditions for thriving, not just surviving.

Summer is not a break from learning. It’s a bridge to becoming.

Let’s walk it together.
— Serita Acker
Executive Director

#Leadership #HigherEd #StudentSuccess #CollegeToCareer #MentorshipMatters #MakeTheMostOfSummer

Please see attached flyer below for more information:

ProTerra Flyer

When: January 13th – 16th, 2022

**Applications close November 30th

STEM – ALL IN is a collaborative program between Clemson University’s College of Engineering, Computing, and Applied Sciences, the College of Science, and the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences to raise awareness of graduate education in the STEM fields. The program is designed to bring the best and brightest underrepresented minority students on campus and encourage them to pursue a graduate degree at Clemson.

Click on the image to view the full flyer with more information!

Calling all Middle Schoolers!

Clemson is welcoming middle schoolers virtually to our annual Girl Scouts and Friends Day on October 16th, and we could not be more excited! If you know a student in middle school, whether or not they are affiliated with a girl scout troop, send this information along and encourage them to sign up soon.

Click here to register for this fantastic event!

Written by Maegan Hinson, CECAS Outreach Coordinator

PEER & WISE hosted our annual STEM Day event this past Saturday, February 20th. Over ninety middle school students from across the country joined us via Zoom for a day of exploring engineering. Primarily from underrepresented backgrounds, these students were able to meet and chat with current PEER mentors. Our mentors shared their stories of how they came to choose engineering as a major and the people who inspired them along the way. Representatives from Boeing and the US Army, our sponsors for STEM Day, were able to join us to share about their company and the career opportunities for engineers there. Because of their sponsorship, we were able to make STEM Day an all-inclusive experience, providing each student with all the materials needed to participate in each of the hands-on activities.

Throughout the event, students participated in 4 hands-on activities led by Clemson students from the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences (CECAS). The Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Department’s Outreach Team, led by Varun Gopal and Zachariah Pittman, used a recipe for slime to teach students about chemical engineering. Students were provided 2 materials, color-changing glue and slime activator liquid. They investigated the properties of each substance as they observed changes in the color and feel of the materials. They learned how chemical engineers use different substances to design new materials based on human factors and needs.

The Society of Women in Engineers, led by Laura Stuart, introduced students to the concepts of bioengineering as it relates to medicine. Students participated in a hands-on experiment to test the effectiveness of coatings for pills. They discussed the importance of this as it relates to our overall health. Students were also able to hear from a recent bioengineering alum, Cassidy Barringer, who shared her experience at Clemson and her transition to industry as an Associate Clinical Specialist in Electrophysiology at Abbott.

Helena Upshaw, a Computer Science major, and Annie Woofter, an Electrical Engineering major, lead the session on computer science. They introduced coding as it related to making animals dance on the website hourofcode.org. Students were able to see how to set up steps in this program and how it related to the language of computers. They were also able to hear from Natalie DellaMaria, a recent Computer Science graduate, who now works for Tesla.

The last session was led by Kathryn Cooke, a current Clemson student who is interning with NASA. In this session, students learned about the world of NASA and how engineers work to make it possible to explore outer space. They completed an activity to learn about the placement of planets and how it relates to space exploration.

Although students were not able to attend the event on campus this year, this virtual environment proved to be beneficial in many ways. We were able to bring in alumni who were working in different parts of the country. Students from many different states were able to attend our event and hear about the great opportunities that Clemson’s College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences could offer them. Parents were also able to connect with us, hopefully to begin forming a relationship that will last through the coming years.

Maegan Hinson, College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
December 11, 2020

PEER mentors are Clemson upperclassmen who are focused on leadership and inspiring younger students as they work towards a degree in engineering or computer science. These mentors know the importance of sharing their experience with the next generation of students, especially those that would not otherwise hear about STEM careers. Throughout the year, the PEER & WISE office sponsors multiple outreach events and activities. This year’s events have looked much different, due to COVID, but that has not stopped our mentors from being involved and getting the word out about engineering.

Six PEER mentors spent two Saturdays this fall leading a group of young men in STEM activities via Zoom. These young men were from a group called Building Beyond the Wall, an initiative started by a former educator who saw the need for mentorship beyond the walls of traditional structures.

Angela Wright says of her program, “Our mission is to develop leaders in the community through mindset, motivation and mentorship using science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM).”

During these Saturday events, the PEER mentors led the students in video activities produced by the EXPLORE Mobile Lab. In the first activity, students built a bridge out of popsicle sticks and tested its stability. The second activity introduced students to nuclear engineering and the basic chemistry behind it. The goal of these activities was to make connections to the students and their interests, showing them the importance of math and science.  The mentors wanted to share their passion for engineering and inspire others like them to set high expectations for themselves.

On his motivation behind participating in outreach events, PEER mentor Kwajo Boateng said, “Outreach is so vital to me because it gives me the opportunity to impact students who look like me. Allowing them to participate in STEM activities that utilize real problem-solving skills is my way of planting a seed that will hopefully propel them toward success.”

Tyler Turman, another PEER mentor, also weighed in on his motivation to promote STEM. He said, “Participating in events like these helps break the mold for what a scientist looks like. It promotes diversity and inspires students to become anything they want!”

Angela Wright said of the PEER mentors, “They are definitely an exceptional group of young men. We had a great time together. The mentees really enjoyed talking to them. They have made connections with the mentees and offered amazing advice with each encounter.”

Because of the passion for outreach shown by the PEER mentors, these younger students see the possibilities that go along with a degree in STEM.