Beginning in June, Empower, the state’s Deferred Compensation provider, will host a monthly webinar to guide state employees through plan highlights and enrollment details.
Deferred Compensation allows employees to set aside an amount of their choosing, either pre- or post-tax, to fund retirement accounts like 401(k) or 457(b) plans.
The sessions are open to all benefits-eligible employees and will cover the basics of both the 401(k) and 457(b) retirement plans available through the Deferred Compensation Program. The hour-long session will have a 30–45-minute presentation followed by a Q&A, giving attendees the chance to explore their options and ask questions.
Other key points of the session will include:
How to enroll
Differences and benefits of pre-tax or post-tax contributions
Managing investment choices
Contribution limits
Catch-up provisions
The first session will take place on Monday, June 23 at 9:00 a.m. via Microsoft Teams.
Registration is required, and spaces are limited for each session. Interested employees should register using this registration link.
Greetings! First, I would like to thank Jeff Anthony, your ’24-25 Staff Senate President, for his hard work and dedication to the Clemson staff this past year. Jeff’s commitment to Clemson has created a great foundation to start my term as your ‘25-26 Staff Senate President. Jeff was instrumental in advocating for the Staff, and I will continue to lead the same way. If you see Jeff around campus, thank him for his service.
Staff Senate is already hard at work; we are meeting with leadership, fundraising for the Employee Emergency Fund endowment, and recognition through service letters.
It’s hard to believe we are at this academic year’s end. May is the perfect time to reflect on the past year; your fellow senators and I would like to thank each of you for your hard work and dedication to Clemson.
Let’s take a minute to talk about the impact that you had on students. Every role at Clemson touches lives; you are instrumental to the success of our students and the effect Clemson has on the State of South Carolina. As a staff member, your role is vital to the success of Clemson Elevate and Clemson University. It significantly impacts student success and experiences, and changes lives across the state. For that, we applaud you.
For many of us, summer is when we catch up on projects we overlooked throughout the year. Take this time to breathe; go out to lunch with a co-worker across campus ($5.00 Fridays, at the dining halls are a perfect time to catch up with friends.)
Again, thank you for all that you do. We appreciate each one of you.
We hope you can attend our next meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 8, 2025, 2:30-4:00 PM, Riggs, room 305. Reminder: If you would like to ask a question, please request to speak during the open comment period by contacting our office or relaying your questions to your senators.
As always, stay kind and care for yourself and others, Tigers.
There is a free concert in the amphitheater on Friday, May 16. The 3-piece alternative blues and rock band @modern_mammals are from Walhalla, SC. They will perform original music that provides a unique listening experience. Enjoy free live music in the prettiest venue in the Upstate! Visit the calendar for more information.
We’re excited to invite you to the 2025 Summer Side Hustle Course for Clemson Staff! This 4-week crash course is designed to teach you the fundamentals of entrepreneurship while empowering and inspiring personal growth.
Join us weekly, starting Tuesday, June 3rd at 12:00 pm at the Brook T. Smith Launchpad, for a course of insightful discussions with like-minded staff peers and instructors, practical learning and skill enhancement. Modules and general information are on the flyer! Register by June 1st using this link! This course is free, but seats will fill up fast!
Contact Maggie Guerra Ayala, magdag@clemson.edu, for more information.
The 2024-2025 academic year is almost over, and we have a new cohort of staff senators, ready to drive lasting change for their constituents. As we prepare for the challenges ahead, we might ask ourselves, “How do we do that?” or “How can I advocate for myself and others?” During the April Staff Senator Training, we’ll delve deeper into these questions. But for now, let’s focus on preparing to advocate, channeling that Tiger Spirit. Let’s face it: advocacy isn’t just about roaring louder. It’s a high-stakes game of emotional chess, a delicate dance of persuasion, and a test of your inner fortitude. Think of it as constructing your own personal “Inner Fortress,” a mental and emotional stronghold that allows you to navigate the tricky terrain of advocating for yourself or others.
Forget the image of a medieval castle with moats and drawbridges. We’re talking about a fortress built on solid foundations: self-awareness, emotional regulation, cognitive resilience, and strategic communication. It’s less about brute force and more about nuanced finesse, a blend of vulnerability and strategic savvy.
Know Thyself (Really Know Thyself).
This isn’t your casual “I like long walks on the shores of Lake Hartwell” self-awareness. We’re talking digging deep into your values, triggers, and biases, with the same intensity as a student preparing for finals in Cooper Library. Authentic advocacy demands this level of introspection. Consider detailed journaling, producing a narrative analysis, and honestly confronting those moments that make you cringe.
Ever notice you get defensive when your actions are questioned? Journal it! Reflect on it! Recognizing our flaws isn’t weakness; it’s the key to authentic connection. Question your assumptions. Are you listening to understand, or just waiting to pounce? Tools like 360-degree feedback, which gathers input from peers, supervisors, and subordinates, and models like the Johari Window, which maps self-awareness and awareness by others, can provide crucial external perspectives. These tools help illuminate blind spots and create a more complete picture of your impact.
Master Your Emotional Weather.
Advocacy is an emotional rollercoaster. You’ll encounter resistance, frustration, and maybe even a few tears. Emotional regulation is your seatbelt. Empathy and vulnerability are your airbags, cushioning those emotional bumps. Practice active listening. Learn to recognize those emotional triggers and develop strategies to manage them. Maintaining dignity, both for ourselves and others, is a moral imperative. Consider it maintaining a calm, clear head even when the room is spinning.
Build Cognitive Resilience: Your Mental Bungee Cord.
Challenges are inevitable. How you bounce back defines your success. Reframe requests as collaborative opportunities, shifting from “me vs them” to “us vs. the problem.”
Setbacks aren’t failures; they’re learning curves. Conflict can be a catalyst for innovation. See it as turning lemons into lemonade, but with more strategic planning and less sugar.
Communicate Like a Pro (Not a Politician).
This is where your inner fortress translates into outward impact. Speak with clarity, conviction, and honesty. Courageous communication, even when difficult, builds trust. Understand the other person’s perspective. Focus on speaking their language, not just your own.
Influence with Integrity.
Advocacy isn’t about manipulation; it’s about building genuine relationships and fostering collaboration. Align your requests with the values of your audience. Articulate your worth and challenge limiting assumptions. Build trust and psychological safety. Focus on interests rather than positions to find common ground. Conceive of it as finding collaborative solutions, not just winning the argument.
Develop Strategic Harmony
Picture advocacy as crafting elegant bridges, not dramatic bonfires. Advocacy is about influencing from within, not upending from without. Think well-researched proposals over amplified demands. It’s the art of strategic harmony, where lasting change flows from understanding and engaging with existing structures.
What is your toolkit? Solutions, not just critiques. An advocate cultivates alliances, even across differing viewpoints, armed with solid evidence and unwavering professionalism. Aim to navigate policies with finesse, presenting your case with clarity and conviction. The aim is tangible impact, achieved through nuanced dialogue, not disruptive noise.
The Ongoing Journey.
Building your inner fortress is an ongoing process. It requires constant self-reflection, learning, and adaptation. It’s about embracing vulnerability, fostering empathy, and cultivating a growth mindset.
Remember, advocacy isn’t just a skill; it’s a crucial component of ethical leadership and social change. So, build your fortress strong, and go out there and make a difference.
Sources
Brown, Brené. Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. Random House, 2018.
Cabral, Amber. Say More About That: …and Other Ways to Speak Up, Push Back, and Advocate for Yourself and Others. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2023.
Cialdini, Robert B. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. William Morrow, 1984.
Davey, Liane. The Good Fight: Use Productive Conflict to Get Your Team and Organization Back on Track. Bibliomotion, Inc., 2017.
Dweck, Carol S. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Random House, 2006.
Fisher, Roger, William Ury, and Bruce Patton. Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In. Penguin Books, 1991.
Gross, James J. “The Emerging Field of Emotion Regulation: An Integrative Review.” Review of General Psychology, vol. 2, no. 3, 1998, pp. 271–99.
Hansen, Heather. Advocate to Win: 10 Tools to Ask for What You Want and Get It. McGraw-Hill Education, 2013.
Hicks, Donna. Dignity: Its Essential Role in Resolving Conflict. Yale University Press, 2011.
Petty, Richard E., and John T. Cacioppo. Communication and Persuasion: Central and Peripheral Routes to Attitude Change. Springer-Verlag, 1986.
Pink, Daniel H. To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others. Riverhead Books, 2012.
Schein, Edgar H., and Peter A. Schein. Humble Inquiry: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2013.
Tannen, Deborah. You Just Don’t Understand: Women and Men in Conversation. William Morrow, 1990.
What is the Ombuds Office?
The Ombuds Office is a confidential,
independent, neutral, and informal space for staff to process concerns, get
information, and develop options for how to move forward in a difficult
situation. I can provide education,
conflict coaching, mediation, and facilitation as well as referrals to other
resources across Clemson. If you are
unsure how to move forward in any way, I can help you work through it.
Michael Scott Phone: 864-656-6353 Email: mesctt@clemson.edu Address: 135 Old Greenville Hwy, Ste. 203 (Next to Esso!)
Save the date for upcoming training offered by the Ombuds:
Introduction to Meditation April 26, 2025 from 9a.m.-12 p.m. At University Facilities Center, sign up via Tiger Training.
Working to inspire the growth and diversity of ballet, Collage Dance Collective showcases a repertoire of relevant choreography and world-class dancers representative of the communities they serve. The professional company has presented thirteen full-length seasons in Memphis, plus national and international touring, presenting a diverse range of classical and contemporary choreography. Collage Dance Collective will perform Their Eyes Were Watching God, a neoclassical ballet based on the book by Zora Neale Hurston, and Rise, set to the iconic “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech given by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968.
This performance is funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support comes from the City of Clemson, Clemson Area African American Museum, Clemson University Global Black Studies, Clemson University Harvey and Lucinda Gantt Multicultural Center of the Division of Community, Engagement, Belonging, and Access, Clemson University Libraries, College of Arts and Humanities, Clemson University Humanities Hub, and the Office of the Provost.
Clemson University Orchestras: Silent Film Concert
Sunday, February 16, 2025 at 3 p.m.
Walhalla High School Auditorium
$5 Adults/Students FREE
Get ready for a cinematic experience like no other at the 2nd Annual Silent Film Concert presented by Clemson University Orchestras. A side-by-side concert experience with local high school musicians.
Into the Woods, presented by the Clemson Players
Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. and
Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 3 p.m.
Brooks Theatre
$15 Adults, $10 Students
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by James Lapine Directed by Kerrie Seymour Musical Direction by Luke Browder Conducted by Kim Souther
Fairy tales and real life collide in Sondheim and Lapine’s Into The Woods. Full of the late Stephen Sondheim’s signature sounds – both beautiful and incongruous – Into The Woods explores and explodes the idea of “happily ever after.”
Jazz at Lincoln Center present New Orleans Songbook: The Spirit of Mardi Gras
Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Brooks Theatre
$45 Adults, $20 Students
Revel in the soul of New Orleans and the spirit of Mardi Gras with the latest JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER PRESENTS concert touring the nation in 2025 celebrating the New Orleans Songbook. Led by acclaimed pianist Luther S. Allison, featuring the soulful vocals of Quiana Lynell and Milton Suggs and backed by an equally brilliant band, this concert celebrates the legendary composers and timeless songs that define the Crescent City – best known as the historic epicenter of jazz. From the pioneering sounds of Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong to the distinctive stylings of Ellis Marsalis and James Black, this celebratory evening of amazing is not to be missed by fans of jazz, New Orleans and great music.
At times, things are difficult at work, and there’s nothing we can do about it. We might have a colleague we have asked to include us in meetings, and still they ignore and exclude us. We might have a supervisor we have brought concerns to, and they don’t do anything in response. Maybe we just have a job that is boring or isn’t exactly what we want to be doing, but this is the job we have. There is so much at work that is stressful that is out of our control. But what about what is in our control?
I mentioned in a recent Staff Senate meeting that I am taking a class in the Industrial and Organizational Psychology program, and this semester, I am in Survey to Occupational Health with Dr. Robert Sinclair. Learning about the different theories and strategies for occupational health has been incredibly relevant and helpful in the work that I do. In class, we have been talking a lot lately about the different models of work stress. One of these models, created by A. B. Bakker and E. Demerouti (2007), is called the Job-Demands-Resources model, or JDR. JDR says that our collective job demands create stress and strain, which can eventually lead to physical and mental health problems and negative outcomes for the organization. For example, if we have to lift heavy things daily, we might experience muscle strain that could eventually become an injury. On the mental health side, if we feel demeaned and bullied by a supervisor, we might experience daily shame, fear, and anger, which can lead to increased depression and anxiety. Either of these could lead to turnover, absenteeism, and a less well workforce.
At the same time, the JDR model says that our collective job resources motivate us, which can lead to positive organizational outcomes, such as productivity, profitability, and employee engagement. Job resources include autonomy, feedback, support, and even tangibles such as adequate annual leave. When we have sufficient resources, we feel more motivated to do the work we need to do, and the organization benefits. These two, interconnected processes are detailed below.
Many of our job demands and job resources are just parts of the gig. We can bring up our concerns, and we can (and should) advocate for ourselves. However, even if change occurs, it will come slowly. In the meantime, the idea of job crafting lets us take action now by enhancing our job resources on our own. Job crafting essentially says if we cannot get what we need from our jobs, can we find that resource elsewhere? If we are not getting the support we need from our supervisor, maybe we can find a mentoring relationship elsewhere and seek support outside of the formal hierarchy. If we do not have the autonomy we want, maybe we can take on a separate project or join a staff development program like CU Grow that allows us to direct some of our own work. Job crafting begins by taking stock of what we have and what we don’t have and then brainstorming ways to get what we need. Here are some ideas:
Apply for a development program like CU Grow, Extension Emerging Leadership Institute, or CCIT’s Leadership Development Program.
Run for Staff Senate, or if you already have, run for a leadership position.
Find external trainings that could enhance your skills and knowledge.
Find colleagues and mentors who are willing to share feedback with you.
Connect with colleagues on a personal level. Maybe go to lunch or after-hours events.
Look for gaps in what your department does, and present a plan for how you could take on responsibilities to fill that gap.
Volunteer to do something you haven’t done before, such as present in front of the whole division or author a report.
At some point, you might decide that the job you have is ultimately not the job you want. But changing jobs is also not simple or quick. While you have the job you have, take some time to craft it into what you want it to be. In addition to strengthening your skills and engagement, job crafting increases your job satisfaction and overall happiness. Craft away!
The Ombuds Office is a confidential,
independent, neutral, and informal space for staff to process concerns, get
information, and develop options for how to move forward in a difficult
situation. I can provide education,
conflict coaching, mediation, and facilitation as well as referrals to other
resources across Clemson. If you are
unsure how to move forward in any way, I can help you work through it.
Tessa Byer Phone: 864-656-5353 Email: tbyer@clemson.edu Address: 135 Old Greenville Hwy, Ste. 203 (Next to Esso!)
Save the date for upcoming training offered by the Ombuds:
Emotional Intelligence at Work February 28, 2025 from 9:00 to 11:00 In person at University Facilities Center, sign up via Tiger Training.
Getting your MBA has never been so easy – live where you want, learn how you want, and let Clemson help cover the cost with Employee Tuition Assistance! Learn more during our upcoming virtual info sessions or Coffee Chats! Can’t make it? No problem! Please email us to set up a call with our team: mbaprogram@clemson.edu
