[{"id":944,"date":"2026-02-12T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/?p=944"},"modified":"2026-02-11T16:16:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T20:16:00","slug":"write-yourself-into-the-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/write-yourself-into-the-list\/","title":{"rendered":"Write Yourself Into the List"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2024\/05\/Serita-Headshot.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"904\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2024\/05\/Serita-Headshot-904x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Serita Acker\" class=\"wp-image-758\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover;width:500px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2024\/05\/Serita-Headshot-904x1024.jpg 904w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2024\/05\/Serita-Headshot-265x300.jpg 265w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2024\/05\/Serita-Headshot-768x870.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2024\/05\/Serita-Headshot.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 904px) 100vw, 904px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>By Serita Acker, Executive Director, PEER WISE<br><br>By this point in the year, many of us are already feeling it\u2014the quiet pressure of New Year\u2019s goals colliding with real life. Classes are moving fast, inboxes are full, and the to-do list never seems to get shorter. Somewhere between the deadlines and responsibilities, it becomes easy to forget one very important item.<br><br><strong>You.<\/strong><br><br>One practice I return to again and again is simple, but powerful:<strong> I write myself into my to-do list. <\/strong>Not as an afterthought, and not only when everything else is finished\u2014but intentionally. Because you are not your productivity. You are a whole person, deserving of care, rest, and joy.<br><br>For me, writing myself into the list looks like reading articles or books purely for fun\u2014no notes, no outcomes required. It looks like leading a women\u2019s group that fills my cup as much as it gives back. It looks like rest, movement, and shared laughter while exercising alongside my husband and daughter. These moments don\u2019t slow me down; they sustain me.<br><br>When resolutions start to feel tested, this is often the moment when we\u2019re tempted to push harder and do more. But growth doesn\u2019t always come from adding. Sometimes it comes from honoring what you need to stay grounded and whole.<br><br>As students, leaders, and lifelong learners, you carry a lot. You show up, you work hard, and you aim high. That matters. But so do the moments that remind you who you are outside of your achievements.<br><br>So today, and every day, I encourage you to do this one small thing: write yourself into your to-do list. Your future self will thank you.<br><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Serita Acker, Executive Director, PEER WISE By this point in the year, many of us are already feeling it\u2014the quiet pressure of New Year\u2019s goals colliding with real life. Classes are moving fast, inboxes are full, and the to-do list never seems to get shorter. Somewhere between the deadlines and responsibilities, it becomes easy [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4168,"featured_media":758,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17948,58316,58293],"tags":[29841,58301,58309,58298],"coauthors":[58326],"class_list":["post-944","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-resources","category-retention","category-staff-spotlight","tag-cecas","tag-peer-wise","tag-peer-wise-staff","tag-student-services"],"fimg_url":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2024\/05\/Serita-Headshot-150x150.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/944","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=944"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/944\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/758"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=944"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=944"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=944"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=944"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":942,"date":"2025-11-20T17:45:04","date_gmt":"2025-11-20T21:45:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/?p=942"},"modified":"2025-11-20T17:45:04","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T21:45:04","slug":"take-a-study-break-with-peer-wise-this-december","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/take-a-study-break-with-peer-wise-this-december\/","title":{"rendered":"Take a Study Break With PEER WISE This December!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>By:  Beth Anne Johnson<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/Final-Exam-Instagram-Post-2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/Final-Exam-Instagram-Post-2-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-943\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/Final-Exam-Instagram-Post-2-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/Final-Exam-Instagram-Post-2-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/Final-Exam-Instagram-Post-2-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/Final-Exam-Instagram-Post-2-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/Final-Exam-Instagram-Post-2-50x50.png 50w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/Final-Exam-Instagram-Post-2.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Finals are around the corner, and we know this season can feel like a sprint and a marathon all at once. That\u2019s why PEER WISE is opening our doors all month long with something simple that makes a big difference: snacks, community, and a place to breathe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout December, swing by the PEER WISE space during your study sessions and fuel up with free snacks to keep your energy steady and your mind sharp. Whether you\u2019re reviewing notes before an exam, putting the finishing touches on a project, or just need a moment to reset, we\u2019ve got you covered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Think of this as your home base\u2014somewhere you can settle in, recharge, and know you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re proud of the hard work you\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>See you in December!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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\u2019s why PEER WISE 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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4168,"featured_media":943,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[623,17948],"tags":[29841,58301,58309,58298,58295,44928],"coauthors":[58326],"class_list":["post-942","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opportunities","category-resources","tag-cecas","tag-peer-wise","tag-peer-wise-staff","tag-student-services","tag-student-success","tag-student-support"],"fimg_url":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/Final-Exam-Instagram-Post-2-150x150.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/942","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=942"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/942\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/943"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=942"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=942"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=942"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=942"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":938,"date":"2025-11-20T17:38:19","date_gmt":"2025-11-20T21:38:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/?p=938"},"modified":"2025-11-20T17:38:19","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T21:38:19","slug":"join-our-supplemental-materials-drive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/join-our-supplemental-materials-drive\/","title":{"rendered":"Join Our Supplemental Materials Drive!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>By: Beth Anne Johnson<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/PEER-WISE-Social-Media-44.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/PEER-WISE-Social-Media-44-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-941\" style=\"width:500px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/PEER-WISE-Social-Media-44-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/PEER-WISE-Social-Media-44-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/PEER-WISE-Social-Media-44-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/PEER-WISE-Social-Media-44-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/PEER-WISE-Social-Media-44-50x50.png 50w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/PEER-WISE-Social-Media-44.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>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 WISE, we know that having the right study tools can make all the difference\u2014especially when you\u2019re tackling tough engineering and computing coursework.<br><br>That\u2019s why we\u2019re hosting a Supplemental Materials Drive, and we\u2019d love your help.<br><br>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.<br><br><strong>How to Participate:<\/strong><br>Simply drop off your materials at<strong> Freeman 158<\/strong> anytime during office hours. Our team will organize and share them with students who need extra support in their classes.<br><br>Your contribution\u2014big or small\u2014helps strengthen our community of learners. Thank you for taking a few minutes to make someone else\u2019s academic journey a little easier.<br><br>Let\u2019s keep lifting each other up, one exam at a time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 WISE, we know that having the right study tools can make all the difference\u2014especially when you\u2019re tackling tough engineering and computing coursework. That\u2019s why we\u2019re hosting [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4168,"featured_media":941,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[623,17948],"tags":[29841,58301,58298,58295,44928],"coauthors":[58326],"class_list":["post-938","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opportunities","category-resources","tag-cecas","tag-peer-wise","tag-student-services","tag-student-success","tag-student-support"],"fimg_url":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/PEER-WISE-Social-Media-44-150x150.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/938","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=938"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/938\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/941"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=938"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=938"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=938"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=938"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":937,"date":"2025-11-17T15:55:28","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T19:55:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/?p=937"},"modified":"2025-11-17T15:55:28","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T19:55:28","slug":"head-down-heart-open-how-clemson-helped-scout-hamrick-find-her-path-to-medicine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/head-down-heart-open-how-clemson-helped-scout-hamrick-find-her-path-to-medicine\/","title":{"rendered":"Head Down, Heart Open: How Clemson Helped Scout Hamrick Find Her Path to Medicine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>By:  Beth Anne Johnson<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/Scout-Hamrick-Photo.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/Scout-Hamrick-Photo.jpg\" alt=\"Scout Hamrick, Biomedical Engineering grad, Class of Spring 2025\" class=\"wp-image-939\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/Scout-Hamrick-Photo.jpg 500w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/Scout-Hamrick-Photo-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>For Scout Hamrick, a Biomedical Engineering graduate from Georgetown, South Carolina, Clemson was more than a university\u2014it was the place where her path to a career in medicine took shape. A spring 2025 grad, Scout will begin medical school at the Medical University of South Carolina in fall 2026.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI came in as a first-year student a little unsure of what college life would bring,\u201d Scout admits. \u201cBut through the PEER WISE mentorship program, I really found my way. I learned how to plug into my resources.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>That early support lit a spark that carried her through her time at Clemson. By her junior year\u2014technically her last\u2014Scout was giving back as a PEER WISE tutor, helping other students navigate not just tough coursework but the ups and downs of college life. \u201cAs a tutor, I realized that helping people goes way beyond class material,\u201d she says. \u201cSometimes the struggles are about balance, confidence, or believing in yourself outside the classroom. That experience helped shape the kind of doctor I want to be.\u201d<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now working as a medical scribe during her gap year, Scout is preparing to start medical school, where she hopes to specialize in orthopedic surgery. \u201cI love working with my hands and solving puzzles,\u201d she says. \u201cSurgery excites me\u2014it\u2019s detailed, precise, and deeply rewarding.\u201d<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her time at Clemson gave her more than a foundation in biology, chemistry, and psychology. From bioengineering capstone projects to the BEACH Summer Program at MUSC, she discovered how theory meets practice\u2014and how passion turns into purpose. \u201cThat summer program confirmed where I wanted to be for medical school,\u201d she says. \u201cIt helped me see that I was right where I needed to be.\u201d<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her advice to current students? \u201cKeep your head down and power through toward your goals. Don\u2019t compare your path to anyone else\u2019s. Everyone\u2019s journey looks different, and that\u2019s okay. Just do your best\u2014and remember, med school applications look at who you are as a whole person, not just your grades.\u201d<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With heart, grit, and a steady belief in herself, Scout is proof that finding your way often begins with showing up, working hard, and caring deeply.<br><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By: Beth Anne Johnson For Scout Hamrick, a Biomedical Engineering graduate from Georgetown, South Carolina, Clemson was more than a university\u2014it was the place where her path to a career in medicine took shape. A spring 2025 grad, Scout will begin medical school at the Medical University of South Carolina in fall 2026. \u201cI came [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4168,"featured_media":939,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22,17948,58290],"tags":[29629,58304,29841,58301,58302,58298,58295],"coauthors":[58326],"class_list":["post-937","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni","category-resources","category-student-story","tag-alumni-spotlight","tag-alumni-success","tag-cecas","tag-peer-wise","tag-peer-wise-connections","tag-student-services","tag-student-success"],"fimg_url":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/Scout-Hamrick-Photo-150x150.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/937","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=937"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/937\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/939"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=937"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=937"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=937"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=937"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":934,"date":"2025-11-05T11:35:23","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T15:35:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/?p=934"},"modified":"2025-11-05T11:35:23","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T15:35:23","slug":"finding-his-way-how-clemson-helped-brad-buncomb-build-a-career-and-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/finding-his-way-how-clemson-helped-brad-buncomb-build-a-career-and-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding His Way: How Clemson Helped Brad Buncomb Build a Career and Community"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>By: Beth Anne Johnson<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/Brad-Buncomb-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/Brad-Buncomb-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-936\" style=\"width:500px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/Brad-Buncomb-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/Brad-Buncomb-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/Brad-Buncomb-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/Brad-Buncomb-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/Brad-Buncomb-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/Brad-Buncomb-scaled.jpg 1707w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>For<strong> Brad Buncomb,<\/strong> Industrial Engineering Class of 2017, Clemson has always felt like home. Growing up in North Augusta, South Carolina, Brad spent countless weekends attending Clemson games with his family. But it wasn\u2019t until a spring visit for <strong>SEE Clemson<\/strong>\u2014a campus tour and mentorship day\u2014that he felt the true pull of the Clemson Family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>\u201cI remember Mrs. Sue being there,\u201d Brad recalls with a smile. \u201cEveryone was so warm and welcoming. It really helped me feel like I belonged.\u201d<br>Sue Lasser served as PEER &amp; WISE Executive Director for many years and mentored<strong> Serita Acker<\/strong>, who later followed in her footsteps as Executive Director. That legacy of mentorship and community became a cornerstone of Brad\u2019s Clemson Experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Brad joined the<strong> Math Excellence Workshop<\/strong>\u2014now the <strong>PEER WISE Experience (PWE)<\/strong>\u2014where he found both friendship and focus. \u201cThere were only about 12 of us, and we became really close,\u201d he says. \u201cThat experience helped me come out of my shell, manage my time, and learn how to use the many resources Clemson offered.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Through his years in PEER &amp; WISE, Brad built habits that continue to serve him in his career. Now an <strong>Operations Strategy Manager at Home Depot<\/strong>, he works on implementing new technology in stores and improving operational processes. \u201cIf I can make something better, I want to,\u201d he says. \u201cWhat excites me most is seeing the impact\u2014not just on the business, but on people\u2019s everyday experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Outside of work, Brad finds joy in sports, family, and maintaining the friendships that shaped his Clemson journey. \u201cThere\u2019s always more work to do,\u201d he reflects, \u201cbut it\u2019s important to set boundaries and prioritize what matters\u2014family, friends, and community.\u201d Brad also gives back through <strong>Emerging 100,<\/strong> a mentoring and leadership organization in the greater Atlanta area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>His advice to current students? \u201cStay connected. Keep your network strong. That Clemson Family lasts well beyond graduation.\u201d<br><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By: Beth Anne Johnson For Brad Buncomb, Industrial Engineering Class of 2017, Clemson has always felt like home. Growing up in North Augusta, South Carolina, Brad spent countless weekends attending Clemson games with his family. But it wasn\u2019t until a spring visit for SEE Clemson\u2014a campus tour and mentorship day\u2014that he felt the true pull [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4168,"featured_media":936,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22,17948,58316,58290],"tags":[29629,58304,29841,58301,58302,58298,58295,44928],"coauthors":[58326],"class_list":["post-934","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni","category-resources","category-retention","category-student-story","tag-alumni-spotlight","tag-alumni-success","tag-cecas","tag-peer-wise","tag-peer-wise-connections","tag-student-services","tag-student-success","tag-student-support"],"fimg_url":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/11\/Brad-Buncomb-150x150.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/934","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=934"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/934\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/936"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=934"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=934"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=934"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=934"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":928,"date":"2025-10-07T05:51:34","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T09:51:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/?p=928"},"modified":"2025-10-24T08:10:56","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T12:10:56","slug":"from-first-introduction-to-full-circle-prestons-clemson-journey-with-peer-wise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/from-first-introduction-to-full-circle-prestons-clemson-journey-with-peer-wise\/","title":{"rendered":"From First Introduction to Full Circle: Preston\u2019s Clemson Journey with PEER &amp; WISE"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>By:  Beth Anne Johnson<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/10\/10.7.25.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"528\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/10\/10.7.25.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-931\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/10\/10.7.25.jpg 528w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/10\/10.7.25-300x256.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 528px) 100vw, 528px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>When Preston thinks back on his Clemson story, he can trace it to a single moment\u2014before he was even a student.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMy mom and I were on campus visiting my brother, Kendal, when I met Mrs. Lisa. She already knew who I was and told me about PEER &amp; WISE. She invested in me before I even stepped on campus, and that was really special,\u201d he remembers. Preston also credits Mrs. Serita, as a lifelong mentor and a community leader from his hometown, with showing him what it means to serve others.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Those introductions set the stage for Preston\u2019s Clemson Experience. Through the PEER WISE Experience (PWE)\u2014even though it was online at the time\u2014he began building friendships. \u201cIt was super nice to meet folks virtually, and even better when I saw them in person for the first time. Some of us are still friends today.\u201d<br><br><strong>Finding His Place at Clemson<\/strong><br>Like so many Tigers, Preston says some of the most memorable moments came from simply being part of the community. \u201cExperiencing Clemson in all its grandeur\u2014sports, the cheers, the way the whole community comes together\u2014that unity is something you never forget.\u201d<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Welcome Week was another milestone. Even though his first year looked a little different, he encourages current students to show up, no matter what. \u201cEven if it\u2019s your second year, keep going. You never know who you\u2019ll meet or what connections you\u2019ll make.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through PEER &amp; WISE, Preston discovered opportunities to lead and serve. He remembers helping run the LEGO competition during Next Engineers, working STEM Day, and serving on student panels. \u201cI loved seeing younger students\u2019 curiosity\u2014watching how their brains worked when they tinkered with something new. It reminded me why I chose engineering in the first place.\u201d<br><br><strong>Challenges that Shaped Him<\/strong><br>One of the accomplishments Preston is most proud of is learning to code in MATLAB, something that didn\u2019t come easily at first. \u201cIt was tough. I used the tutoring service from 7 to 10 every night to get the hang of it,\u201d he says. \u201cBut once I figured it out, it gave me confidence. Later in my senior design project, and even now in my career, I can use that skill to solve real problems.\u201d<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If he could change one thing about his Clemson journey, it would be how he approached the career fair. \u201cI had my list of target companies, and I stuck to it. This kind of research is important, but looking back, I wish I had branched out and talked to more employers. You never know what opportunities you might find.\u201d<br><br><strong>Building Skills for What\u2019s Next<\/strong><br>Preston credits PEER &amp; WISE with sharpening the skills that set him apart after graduation. \u201cPlanning, organizing, public speaking\u2014those soft skills matter. They\u2019re what make you stand out when it\u2019s time to step into the professional world.\u201d<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Listening to guest speakers, working in groups, and learning to lead with empathy also shaped his outlook. \u201cHearing other people\u2019s stories taught me a lot about understanding where others are coming from. That\u2019s something I use every day.\u201d<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Life Now<\/strong><br>Today, Preston works in Charlotte as a Junior Reliability Engineer with JLL, where he focuses on asset validation and maintenance systems for various client accounts. \u201cIt\u2019s exciting to see how the concepts I learned in school translate into real-world problem solving.\u201d<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When he\u2019s not at work, Preston makes time for the people who matter most. \u201cFamily comes first. I love being able to spend time with them and finding community here in Charlotte.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>He also finds joy in watching his older brother Kendal thrive in his own career journey. \u201cSeeing Kendal succeed has been incredible. He\u2019s a tremendous networker, and I\u2019ve been able to learn from the way he makes decisions and tries new things.\u201d<br><br><strong>Words of Advice<\/strong><br>For current and future Tigers, Preston keeps it simple: \u201cTry new things. Push yourself to go to one more event on campus. Go by yourself if you need to. You\u2019ll be surprised by the connections you make and how much you\u2019ll grow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Ready to experience the same award-winning program as Preston? Drop by Freeman 158 and meet the team!<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Preston credits PEER &amp; WISE with sharpening the skills that set him apart after graduation. \u201cPlanning, organizing, public speaking\u2014those soft skills matter. They\u2019re what make you stand out when it\u2019s time to step into the professional world.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Listening to guest speakers, working in groups, and learning to lead with empathy also shaped his outlook. \u201cHearing other people\u2019s stories taught me a lot about understanding where others are coming from. That\u2019s something I use every day.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4168,"featured_media":931,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22,888,587,58316,58290],"tags":[58304,29841,58301,58302,58298,58295,44928],"coauthors":[58326],"class_list":["post-928","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni","category-outreach","category-recruitment","category-retention","category-student-story","tag-alumni-success","tag-cecas","tag-peer-wise","tag-peer-wise-connections","tag-student-services","tag-student-success","tag-student-support"],"fimg_url":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/10\/10.7.25-150x150.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/928","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=928"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/928\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/931"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=928"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=928"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=928"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=928"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":926,"date":"2025-10-06T12:27:35","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T16:27:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/?p=926"},"modified":"2025-10-24T08:11:50","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T12:11:50","slug":"peer-wise-team-shares-expertise-in-portugal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/peer-wise-team-shares-expertise-in-portugal\/","title":{"rendered":"PEER &amp; WISE Team Shares Expertise in Portugal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>By:  Beth Anne Johnson<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/10\/10.6.25.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/10\/10.6.25-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"GE Next Engineers staff members Tyler Roland and Brittany Sanders-Bell, along with PEER &amp; WISE Executive Director Serita Acker, smile for a photo while holding a Tiger Rag.\" class=\"wp-image-929\" style=\"width:500px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/10\/10.6.25-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/10\/10.6.25-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/10\/10.6.25-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/10\/10.6.25-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/10\/10.6.25.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>This summer, members of the GE Next Engineers PEER &amp; WISE team at Clemson University traveled to Lisbon, Portugal, for a global gathering of educators, industry partners, GE volunteers, and implementation managers from FHI 360. The training and collaboration event united colleagues from South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the University of Cincinnati\u2014all committed to advancing the GE Next Engineers curriculum and inspiring the next generation of innovators.<br><br>The sessions focused on the vital link between K\u201312 education and workforce development, highlighting how early exposure to engineering can help meet the growing global demand for skilled professionals. The Clemson team was proud to share lessons learned from our own programs while also gaining insight from the successes of international peers.<br><br>\u201cThis work is so important because it creates a pipeline of young people who see themselves in engineering and have the confidence to pursue it,\u201d said Serita Acker, Executive Director of PEER &amp; WISE. \u201cBy collaborating globally, we ensure our students are better prepared to step into careers that drive innovation and strengthen communities.\u201d<br><br>The GE Next Engineers program continues to be a powerful catalyst, connecting classrooms to careers and giving students the tools they need to imagine\u2014and achieve\u2014a future in engineering.<br><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Clemson team was proud to share lessons learned from our own programs while also gaining insight from the successes of international peers. \u201cThis work is so important because it creates a pipeline of young people who see themselves in engineering and have the confidence to pursue it,\u201d said Serita Acker, Executive Director of PEER &amp; WISE. \u201cBy collaborating globally, we ensure our students are better prepared to step into careers that drive innovation and strengthen communities.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4168,"featured_media":929,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[888,587,58316,58293],"tags":[58340,58301,58298,58295],"coauthors":[58326],"class_list":["post-926","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-outreach","category-recruitment","category-retention","category-staff-spotlight","tag-ge-next-engineers","tag-peer-wise","tag-student-services","tag-student-success"],"fimg_url":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/10\/10.6.25-150x150.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/926","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=926"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/926\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/929"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=926"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=926"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=926"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=926"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":925,"date":"2025-09-30T07:14:52","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T11:14:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/?p=925"},"modified":"2025-10-24T08:12:39","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T12:12:39","slug":"finding-her-formula-clemson-alumna-kenetra-johnson-on-four-years-in-the-big-apple","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/finding-her-formula-clemson-alumna-kenetra-johnson-on-four-years-in-the-big-apple\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding Her Formula: Clemson Alumna Kenetra Johnson on Four Years in the Big Apple"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/09\/Kenetra-Johnson.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"682\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/09\/Kenetra-Johnson-682x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Headshot of Kenetra Johnson, Clemson \u201921 Chemical Engineering graduate and Technical Process Manager at Est\u00e9e Lauder, smiling.\" class=\"wp-image-927\" style=\"width:500px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/09\/Kenetra-Johnson-682x1024.jpg 682w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/09\/Kenetra-Johnson-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/09\/Kenetra-Johnson-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/09\/Kenetra-Johnson.jpg 853w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>By:  Beth Anne Johnson<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When Chemical Engineering alumna <strong>Kenetra Johnson (\u201821)<\/strong> packed her bags for New York City, she carried more than her Clemson degree. She brought with her the encouragement, resilience, and sense of community she found at PEER &amp; WISE. Today, as she celebrates four years in the city that never sleeps, Kenetra reflects on the moments that shaped her\u2014and the risks that paid off.<br><br><strong>A Starting Point in Community<\/strong><br>Kenetra first learned about PEER &amp; WISE through her sister, a 2012 graduate in Industrial Engineering. \u201cShe told me about PEER &amp; WISE, and I just started hanging out in the office. I studied there, and eventually, Mrs. Lisa encouraged me to share my story. I would attend tutoring, volunteer at events, and really found a community.\u201d<br><br>Those early days gave her the confidence to lean into both her academic and personal interests. \u201cI even worked with Girl UP Greenville, combining my love of cosmetics with hands-on experiments, like making lip scrubs and learning what consumers really look for.\u201d<br><br><strong>Defining Moments at Clemson<\/strong><br>Like many students, exam weeks tested her stamina\u2014but PEER &amp; WISE became her anchor. \u201cI would go there for the pep talks, the reminders that I could do this,\u201d she says. \u201cThe tutors met you exactly where you were. There was no judgment, no shame\u2014just people who wanted to see you succeed.\u201d<br><br>One pivotal conversation came when she confided in Mrs. Lisa about her dream of working in cosmetics. At the time, she had a job offer in another industry. \u201cShe told me to believe in myself. To go introduce myself to recruiters. To go seek and do. That changed everything for me.\u201d<br><br><strong>Gratitude in Action<\/strong><br>Looking back, Kenetra is most proud of how PEER &amp; WISE inspired her to give back. \u201cIt really cultivated gratitude into practice,\u201d she reflects. \u201cIt\u2019s that network that helps you rise.\u201d She also wants students to remember that Clemson is filled with resources: \u201cThere is a service for YOU, no matter what you\u2019re trying to achieve. You just have to take advantage of it.\u201d<br><br><strong>Building Skills for a Career<\/strong><br>The skills Kenetra honed at PEER &amp; WISE now shape her career as a Technical Process Manager in product development. \u201cIt built my work ethic, my public speaking, and my networking,\u201d she says. Today, she helps launch new products, delving deep into formulas, ingredients, and the processes that transform an idea into something customers can hold in their hands. \u201cReading the reviews on products I helped develop is one of the best feelings.\u201d<br><br><strong>Joy in the Everyday<\/strong><br>In a fast-paced city, Kenetra makes room for what matters most. \u201cRest is essential,\u201d she says. \u201cI connect with my body, I exercise, I cook. Cooking is creative for me\u2014it\u2019s mindful and it feels like home.\u201d<br><br>Her mom\u2019s advice continues to guide her: take risks on yourself. \u201cDo it even with doubt,\u201d Kenetra says. \u201cKeep putting yourself out there. You are always worth betting on.\u201d<br><br>From Hollywood, South Carolina, to the heart of New York City, Kenetra Johnson continues to prove just that.<br><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When Chemical Engineering alumna Kenetra Johnson (\u201821) packed her bags for New York City, she carried more than her Clemson degree. She brought with her the encouragement, resilience, and sense of community she found at PEER &amp; WISE. Today, as she celebrates four years in the city that never sleeps, Kenetra reflects on the moments that shaped her\u2014and the risks that paid off.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4168,"featured_media":927,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22,17948,58290],"tags":[29629,58304,29841,58301,58298,58295,44928],"coauthors":[58326],"class_list":["post-925","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni","category-resources","category-student-story","tag-alumni-spotlight","tag-alumni-success","tag-cecas","tag-peer-wise","tag-student-services","tag-student-success","tag-student-support"],"fimg_url":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/09\/Kenetra-Johnson-150x150.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/925","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=925"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/925\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/927"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=925"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=925"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=925"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=925"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":922,"date":"2025-09-19T14:40:12","date_gmt":"2025-09-19T18:40:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/?p=922"},"modified":"2025-10-24T08:13:27","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T12:13:27","slug":"study-smarter-together-common-exam-prep-with-peer-wise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/study-smarter-together-common-exam-prep-with-peer-wise\/","title":{"rendered":"Study Smarter Together: Common Exam Prep with PEER &amp; WISE"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Big exams can feel overwhelming, but you don\u2019t have to prepare alone. PEER &amp; WISE is here to support you with Common Exam Study Sessions\u2014designed to bring students together, share resources, and build confidence before the big test.<br><br>If you\u2019re 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\u2019ll have the chance to review key concepts, work through practice problems, and learn strategies that make exam time less stressful.<br><br>More than just tutoring, these sessions are about community\u2014cheering each other on and reminding every Tiger that success is within reach.<br><br> Location: Freeman Hall 102<br> Time: 7:00\u201310:00 PM<br> Dates: See the poster below for this semester\u2019s schedule<br><br>Bring your notes, your questions, and your determination. We\u2019ll take care of the rest. Let\u2019s tackle common exams together\u2014because when Tigers study as a team, we all win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/09\/PEER-WISE-Poster-2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/09\/PEER-WISE-Poster-2-724x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-924\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/09\/PEER-WISE-Poster-2-724x1024.png 724w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/09\/PEER-WISE-Poster-2-212x300.png 212w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/09\/PEER-WISE-Poster-2-768x1086.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/09\/PEER-WISE-Poster-2-1086x1536.png 1086w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/09\/PEER-WISE-Poster-2.png 1414w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Big exams can feel overwhelming, but you don\u2019t have to prepare alone. PEER &amp; WISE is here to support you with Common Exam Study Sessions\u2014designed to bring students together, share resources, and build confidence before the big test.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4168,"featured_media":924,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[623,58316],"tags":[29841,6820,58301,58298,58295,44928],"coauthors":[58326],"class_list":["post-922","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opportunities","category-retention","tag-cecas","tag-events","tag-peer-wise","tag-student-services","tag-student-success","tag-student-support"],"fimg_url":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/09\/PEER-WISE-Poster-2-150x150.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/922","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=922"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/922\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/924"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=922"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=922"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=922"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=922"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":919,"date":"2025-09-09T15:51:46","date_gmt":"2025-09-09T19:51:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/?p=919"},"modified":"2025-09-09T15:51:46","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T19:51:46","slug":"peer-wise-tutoring-open-to-everyone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/peer-wise-tutoring-open-to-everyone\/","title":{"rendered":"PEER WISE Tutoring: Open to Everyone"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>At PEER &amp; WISE, we know that success in engineering and science comes with the right support. That\u2019s why our free tutoring program is open Sunday through Thursday, 7:00\u201310:00 p.m. in Freeman 102. Whether you\u2019re 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.<br><br>Tutoring is open to all students in the College of Engineering, Computing, and Applied Sciences. You\u2019ll find a welcoming environment, patient guidance, and peers who understand the challenges of your coursework. It\u2019s not just about solving equations \u2014 it\u2019s about building confidence, finding community, and knowing you don\u2019t have to figure it all out alone.<br><br>Check out our tutoring schedule below to see when help is available for your classes. Bring your questions, bring a friend, and let\u2019s work through it together.<br><br> Freeman Hall | Sunday\u2013Thursday | 7\u201310 p.m. | Open to Everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/09\/image.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"779\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/09\/image-1024x779.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-921\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/09\/image-1024x779.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/09\/image-300x228.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/09\/image-768x585.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/09\/image.png 1524w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At PEER &amp; WISE, we know that success in engineering and science comes with the right support. That\u2019s why our free tutoring program is open Sunday through Thursday, 7:00\u201310:00 p.m. in Freeman 102. Whether you\u2019re tackling a tough homework set, preparing for an exam, or just need a fresh way of looking at a problem, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4168,"featured_media":918,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[623,17948,58316,1],"tags":[29841,58339,58301,58298,58295,44928],"coauthors":[58326],"class_list":["post-919","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opportunities","category-resources","category-retention","category-uncategorized","tag-cecas","tag-peer-wise-2","tag-peer-wise","tag-student-services","tag-student-success","tag-student-support"],"fimg_url":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/files\/2025\/08\/Julio-150x150.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/919","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=919"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/919\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/918"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=919"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=919"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=919"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/peer-wise\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=919"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}]