Tag: Alumni

Jones graduated from Clemson University in 2023 with a MS in Biological Sciences. Currently, she works for Wake County Public Schools at Dillard Drive Magnet Middle School as an 8th grade science teacher. Dr. Jones was elected Middle Level Division Director for the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). She starts her term June 1, 2024.

Fields graduated from Clemson University in 2022 with a BS in Physics and a minor in political science. Currently, she is a Ph.D. student and researcher at Columbia University and recently received the NSF Graduate Research Fellowships Program fellowship. She states that she “would not be where I am today without the amazing faculty in the physics department and College of Science at Clemson, so to them I am forever grateful.”

Forrest graduated from Clemson University in 1994 with a BA in Biological Sciences. Currently, she works for the Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina (CCF) as the Vice President of Grantmaking and Community Leadership. Forrest will lead CCF’s grantmaking and scholarship programs, strengthen and grow the foundation’s relationships within the community, while encouraging diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. She has more than a decade of experience in the nonprofit field. She was the Senior Program Director of Equity Centered Leadership and Philanthropy for MDC, a legacy nonprofit committed to systems change in the South. There she directed leadership development initiatives for nonprofits and foundations working toward collaborative, human-centered, approaches to inclusive economic mobility in the region. Prior to her role at MDC, Forrest was the Lowcountry Program Director for the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation where she managed grantmaking, communications, advocacy, and partnerships for the foundation’s three program areas in South Carolina. She is a Furman University DLI Riley Fellow and a Liberty Fellow. Before her nonprofit work began, Forrest had a 16-year journalism career with national broadcast outlets MSNBC, NBC News, and CBS News.

Eames graduated from Clemson University in 2021 with a MS in Biological Sciences. Recently, she obtained her National Boards Certification in Adult/Young Adolescence in Biology. This is a professional certification educators can achieve by completing the four different components. The first component is focused on an assessment that allows you to showcase mastery for your subject area. The second component is focused on highlighting how you differentiate instruction effectively for your students. The third component requires you to video record yourself teaching a small group and whole group lesson focusing on your classroom instruction and your learning environment. The final component focuses on you being an effective and reflective practitioner by emphasizing your role in the community, professional learning communities, and your dedication to personal growth. 

Kumari graduated from Clemson University in 2022 with a BS in Biological Sciences, minoring in English, and doing research at the Life Science building. Currently, she works for NASA Goddard Space Flight Center as a Pathways NASA Live Shot Producer to complete a year-long internship in science communications. She states, “I realize that there is a lot of emphasis on science research at Clemson but not on science communication which is equally important. I hope to share my story because I want other science students to realize that there are other paths in science instead of research, medicine, and engineering. I was able to combine my love for English with the sciences and start my path in science communication.” Also, Kumari is a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University in a Masters in Science Writing program.

Crook graduated from Clemson University in 2005 with a BS in Biological Sciences and a BS in Psychology. He has been named the Associate Dean for Student Affairs at Dell Medical School in Austin, Texas after being an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Strange, formerly Burleson, graduated from Clemson University in 1990 with a BS in Biological Sciences. After 27 years of practicing pediatric medicine in the corporate health care world near Charlotte, North Carolina in Union County, Stange is starting her own practice called Thrive Pediatrics and Wellness. She says thanks to Clemson for helping me start my journey in medicine and that “the moral of my story: it’s never too late.” 

Chandler Gilliard graduated from Clemson University in 2020. Here, he studied and received his B.S. degree in Biological Sciences with a Spanish Studies minor. He will graduate medical school and receive his Doctor of Medicine degree from Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C. in May 2024! Since Clemson, Gilliard has been greatly active in service, volunteerism, and research. While in medical school, he participated in research work on gastrointestinal symptoms in COVID-19 patients and most recently focused research on the social disparities and genetic abnormalities in minority patients with multiple myeloma under the age of 45 with a poster presentation at the National Medical Association conference in New Orleans, LA in July 2023. As a graduating medical student, he will begin his Internal Medicine residency at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, LA with the eventual goal of sub-specializing in Gastroenterology. Gilliard has a true passion for people, health, and wellness regarding social disparities and the alarming incidences of gastrointestinal disease. All in all, he is a proud alumnus of Clemson University and the College of Science.

Willow graduated from Clemson University in 2004, studying biological sciences. She recently had an article published in the Washington Post. Click the link to read the article.

Padgett graduated from Clemson University in 1968, studying pre-medicine (dentistry). He has since celebrated 50 years since graduating from MUSC College of Dental Medicine in Charleston, SC., and attained Fellowship in The Academy of General Dentistry. Recently, he has retired after practicing dentistry in Greenwood, SC for 45 years. Dr. Padgett has a volunteer dental license, and volunteers his time in free dental clinics in SC. Also, he participates in Tigers on Call at Clemson University mentoring pre-dental students interested in becoming dentists.