Meet Todd Cochran, Space Auditor and Move Manager, Capital Projects
Can you tell us about your role here at Clemson?
As Clemson University’s Space Manager and Move Manager, I assist with the planning, coordination, and management of campus space to ensure it is used efficiently and effectively. I work with departments across the university to allocate and optimize space, support strategic planning initiatives, and coordinate office and departmental relocations. My role involves balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders while ensuring moves are well-organized, minimally disruptive, and aligned with the university’s operational goals.
What is something fun we might not know about you?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors, tackling DIY projects, and finding new ways to improve or fix things. I appreciate opportunities to stay active and spend time with family and friends.
What brought you to Clemson?
I was drawn to Clemson by the opportunity to contribute to a university with a strong sense of community, collaboration, and tradition. What I enjoy most about Clemson is working with people across campus to help create spaces that support learning, research, and student success. It’s rewarding to be part of an institution where the work we do behind the scenes has a meaningful impact on the daily experience of students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
Is there anything you would like for people to know about your department?
The Planning, Design & Construction department plays a vital role in shaping Clemson’s campus for today and the future. Our team works collaboratively to plan, design, and deliver projects that enhance the university’s learning, research, and work environments. Whether we’re managing renovations, new construction, space planning, or departmental moves, our goal is to create functional, sustainable, and welcoming spaces that support Clemson’s mission. We value collaboration, thoughtful planning, and open communication to ensure projects are completed efficiently and with the needs of the campus community in mind.
The Clemson Champion is Staff Senate’s spotlight for exceptional staff and teams at Clemson. Stay tuned and meet more Clemson Champions in future posts.
This month, I want to address the difference between my hopes and my expectations. As a personal example, I hope as my children grow up, I can develop authentic friendships with them. But those relationships are two-sided, and I cannot control that. As they grow up, I expect them to show kindness and respect to those around them, to work hard at school, and to apologize when they mess up. The difference here is that I am going to hold them accountable to my expectations, while my hopes are not something I am going to put on their shoulders.
As Provost Smith continues to settle into his role, I hope he and I can develop trust and rapport. But trust and rapport cannot be forced and can certainly grow with time. I expect that as my supervisor he will treat me with respect, listen when I have a concern, and communicate his expectations to me (so far so good—I’m grateful for his return to Clemson!). If those expectations are not met, then it indicates to me that we need to get on the same page about our professional relationship.
I can hope for a lot, but what do I expect from the people around me? The difference between hope and expectation is that you might respond to an unmet expectation in the professional domain in a different way than you would an unrealized hope. An unrealized hope is disappointing; an unmet expectation can be an indicator that there is a disconnect between you and the other person that impacts the work you are doing.
The three important questions are:
Do they know what my expectations are?
Do they agree to meet these expectations?
If the answers to the previous two questions are yes, then why was this expectation not met?
First, the person you are expecting to do something needs to know you have those expectations. Expecting someone to read your mind and predict your expectations is never reasonable. What is desirable to you might be completely off the table for someone else, so communication about what you expect is pivotal. Second, you can expect the moon, but until the other person agrees to meet those expectations, either explicitly or not, you cannot expect them to be met. If you are a supervisor, you might not have to seek explicit agreement about your expectations, but communication surrounding them is essential to your employee’s success. If the relationship does not have a power dynamic, you might need to have a more direct conversation about what you expect and whether the other person agrees to live up to that. Of course, they also get to share what they expect, and you can respond. Then you can have an “expectation negotiation” to see what you both agree to in the relationship.
Finally, if you are sure the other person knows your expectations and agrees to them, you can begin to explore why your expectations were not met. Was it a communication challenge? Forgetfulness? Capacity? Malice? Did the other person misunderstand what you expected? In some relationships, it is easy for us to assume bad intentions led to the unmet expectation, but I encourage you to be willing to explore alternative explanations.
To keep unrealized hopes or unmet expectations from impacting our work, we need to separate our hopes and expectations. When the separation is successful, we can better process when something undesirable happens. If my kids do not want to be my friend when they grow up, I will be disappointed, but I won’t be devastated that they neglected an expectation that they previously agreed to. I’m also not going to walk into Provost Smith’s office and expect him to be my running buddy! These can be hopes I have that are separate from what I expect to happen. Then if my hope is not realized, I can process it, refuse to let it impact the relationship, and be ready to move forward.
Have you been treating your hopes like expectations? Have you been putting your hopes onto people who do not even know what it is you want to happen? When we are clear about what we expect, we are more equipped to respond to unmet expectations. When we separate our hopes, we are not putting something unreasonable onto someone else that they never agreed to achieve. (But side note—there’s no way my kids won’t want to be my friend, right?) Enjoy the last days of summer!
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.
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 trainings offered by the Ombuds Office:
As Clemson University prepares to mark the 25th anniversary of September 11, the campus community will have two meaningful opportunities to come together in remembrance, reflection, and gratitude. Through dual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb events, Clemson students, employees, and community members are invited to honor the lives lost on September 11, 2001, while recognizing the courage and sacrifice of first responders who answered the call that day and continue to serve today.
The first event, hosted by Clemson’s Military and Veteran Engagement office, will take place at Littlejohn Coliseum. Centered around the theme “110 Floors of Resolve; 25 Years Later, Clemson Remembers,” the memorial stair climb serves as a powerful tribute to the firefighters who climbed the 110 stories of the World Trade Center towers to save lives. Participants will symbolically take on that challenge by climbing the Coliseum stairs, reflecting on the determination, bravery, and selflessness demonstrated in the face of unimaginable adversity.
The Littlejohn event is open to Clemson students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the public. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., with the program starting promptly at 8:30 a.m. Attendees who are unable to climb stairs are encouraged to participate by walking the concourse, ensuring that everyone can be part of this important day of remembrance. Organizers also encourage participants to bring thank-you cards for first responders, which will be delivered to local emergency personnel following the event.
In addition to remembering those who lost their lives on 9/11, the event will honor the dedicated professionals who continue to protect and serve communities every day, including members of the Clemson University Police Department, Clemson Fire Department, and Clemson Emergency Medical Services.
A second memorial stair climb will be held in Fike Recreation Center, offering another way for the Clemson community to participate. Using the facility’s stair-climb machines, participants can complete their climb while reflecting on the significance of the anniversary and the enduring legacy of service and sacrifice associated with September 11. This event provides a flexible fitness-focused option for those who may prefer a gym setting while still taking part in the shared mission of remembrance.
Together, these events demonstrate Clemson’s commitment to honoring the memory of the nearly 3,000 lives lost on September 11 and paying tribute to the first responders whose heroism inspired a nation. Twenty-five years later, the lessons of courage, resilience, and unity remain as relevant as ever.
The excitement and energy that the start of a new academic year brings is really something special. For many of us, the start of the fall semester feels kind of like New Year’s Day. It’s an opportunity to welcome new faces, embrace new possibilities, and begin another chapter in the important work we do every day. Whether your role places you directly in front of students (I see you, Clemson Home!) or behind the scenes (we couldn’t do it without you Student Financial Services!), your efforts help create the Clemson experience that makes this university such a remarkable place to learn, work, and grow. Clemson staff are the “something in these hills” that folks talk about.
Speaking of new faces and new possibilities, we have a new President! I had the pleasure of meeting President Ayers last week and appreciated his candor regarding communication, partnerships, and his values-driven decision-making process. I am excited about the energy and experience that he brings to Clemson and look forward to partnering with him as we continue to support staff, faculty, and students.
As we are kicking off the fall semester, I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to look back on the end of our summer semester. Last Friday I had the honor of being a member of the stage party for the summer commencement ceremony. The excitement that fills commencement ceremonies is contagious because it reflects not only what has been accomplished, but also the opportunities that lie ahead. This ceremony is the culmination of months and years of dedication, perseverance, and hard work. For Clemson staff, attaining a degree is balanced alongside full-time careers, family responsibilities, and countless other commitments. This summer, Staff Senate handed out staff stoles to 25 individuals who were proudly receiving their bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degrees. I extend my most heartfelt congratulations to all of you! I truly believe that learning is a lifelong journey, and each of you embodies that commitment every day.
As we begin another academic year together, Staff Senate remains committed to supporting and advocating for all staff as we continue to learn, grow, and succeed as a community. I encourage you to stay involved in the conversations and initiatives that help shape the staff experience at Clemson by joining us at a Staff Senate meeting. This month will be featuring Mitch Shue introducing the CU AI Initiative, and Kristin Craft with an overview of CU Grow.
Join Clemson University Campus Recreation on Wednesday, July 16, from 1:00–3:00 p.m. for a comprehensive Well-Being Workshop designed to help participants strengthen their personal well-being and cultivate happiness—two indispensable components of a fulfilling life. During this interactive session, attendees will explore how principles of well-being can enhance wellness in personal, group, and professional settings. The workshop includes a classroom presentation and two personal self-assessments, allowing participants to leave with a greater understanding of their own wellness and practical strategies for incorporating the eight dimensions of well-being into daily life. The workshop will be held in the Andy Quattlebaum Outdoor Education Center, Multipurpose Room B (second floor) and is open to all participants with no membership required.
Clemson University Campus Recreation is committed to supporting the well-being of our campus community through meaningful programs, educational opportunities, and experiences that promote healthy lifestyles. As we look ahead to the fall semester, we encourage faculty and staff to watch for the Well-Being Calendar featured in the Campus Recreation Newsletter. The calendar will highlight a variety of opportunities designed to foster physical, emotional, social, environmental, and spiritual well-being throughout the academic year.
Upcoming offerings will include gatherings at the firepit that encourage social connection and appreciation of the natural environment; a guided aromatherapy workshop where participants can create a custom blend to take home ($10 fee); and nature walks at the South Carolina Botanical Garden held twice monthly. Additional programs will include mindfulness sessions featuring Tibetan sound bowls, reflective journaling workshops, sunrise and sunset yoga by the lake, vision board creation and goal-setting events, and Mindfulness on the Water, which combines outdoor recreation with intentional reflection and relaxation.
Campus Recreation is also excited to continue welcoming Seth, the comfort dog, to campus throughout the academic year. Seth will be available to visit with students on the first day of classes, as well as during midterms and finals, providing comfort, stress relief, and a friendly face during some of the semester’s busiest times.
Whether you are looking to learn new wellness strategies, connect with others, spend more time outdoors, or simply take a pause from a busy schedule, Clemson Campus Recreation’s well-being programs offer something for everyone. We look forward to helping our campus community thrive throughout the coming year.
In today’s newsletter, Staff Senate President Victoria Perry welcomes a new season of change and the new President of Clemson Univeristy, Dr. Guskiewicz. Plus, an introduction to the Extension Senate from their President Charley Maxwell, an upcoming Entrepreneurship Camp for high school students, this month’s Clemson Champion, Ombuds report and more!
Join us Thursday, June 11 at 2:30PM in the Watt Center room 106 or virtually (https://clemson.zoom.us/j/98701587511) for the June Staff Senate meeting.
You are likely familiar with the fact that Clemson University is one of two land-grant institutions in South Carolina. As part of that land-grant mission, Clemson Extension brings research-based education and resources directly to communities across the state.
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service brings the University to the community through offices in every county and research stations throughout the state. Extension funding differs somewhat from other areas of the University, with an additional budget line item in the state budget through Clemson Public Service and Agriculture (PSA). PSA delivers impartial, science-based information through research, outreach, and regulatory programs designed to improve the quality of life in South Carolina.
Extension staff serve on one or more of the 11 program teams: 4-H Youth Development, Agribusiness, Agriculture Education, Agronomic Crops, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), Food Systems and Safety, Forestry and Wildlife, Horticulture, Livestock and Forages, Rural Health and Nutrition, and Water Resources. Extension Agents, Associates, and Specialists determine local needs and develop educational programming and resources to address those needs. Our county offices send various types of samples to on-campus labs for identification and analysis.
Because Extension employees work across South Carolina, have unique position classifications, and serve communities through educational programming and outreach, Extension staff established the Extension Senate to address issues specific to our roles and responsibilities. We greatly value our partnership with the Clemson Staff Senate, which helps ensure Extension remains connected to the broader University community. Extension employees frequently collaborate with faculty and staff across Clemson on research, education, and outreach initiatives. To learn more about Clemson Extension, our programs, and the people who serve South Carolina communities every day, visit our website.
We are excited to welcome a regular contribution to the Staff Senate Newsletter from the Extension Senate President, Charley Maxwell. Visit the Extension Senate blog at https://blogs.clemson.edu/ces/.
As I’ve stepped into my role as Staff Senate President, I’ve been reflecting on just how much happens across our campuses each semester and how much of it is made possible because of you. Even as we move into the summer months, that important work continues, often in new and evolving ways. While change can sometimes feel uncertain, it also creates opportunities for growth, innovation, and renewed energy.
As President John F. Kennedy once said, “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” This sentiment feels especially relevant as we navigate several important developments together.
One of the most significant changes on the horizon is the transition to Workday. This is a major step forward in how we manage and support many of our essential processes, from HR to finance and beyond. While transitions like this can come with a learning curve, they also pave the way for more streamlined systems, improved access to information, and enhanced efficiency in our day-to-day work.
As we move through this implementation together, I encourage you to be aware of upcoming cutover deadlines and to take advantage of available trainings, local resource groups, ask questions, and most importantly, support one another. Change is always easier when we approach it as a community, and I am confident in our collective ability to adapt and succeed.
We are also entering a new chapter in our university’s story with the announcement of our new university president, Kevin Guskiewicz, Ph.D., who will become Clemson’s 16th president. As staff, we play a vital role in supporting this transition and helping to shape the culture and direction of the university moving forward.
Dr. Guskiewicz brings a strong track record of collaborative, people-first leadership. At his previous institutions, he made a point to listen deeply, meeting with teams across campus to understand their experiences and help shape a shared path forward. He is also widely recognized for his commitment to student success, access, and connecting the work of the university to the broader community. I’m excited about the perspective and energy he brings, and I look forward to seeing how we, as staff, can help support his vision and continue building a strong and connected Clemson community.
Moments of change remind us of the strength and resilience within our Clemson community. Every day, Clemson staff across the state contribute to the foundation that allows our staff, students, and faculty to thrive. That work remains constant, even as systems, leadership, and strategies evolve. In the months ahead, Staff Senate remains committed to listening, advocating, and supporting you through these transitions. Your voices matter, and we will continue working to ensure they are heard.
As always, we invite you to stay engaged with Staff Senate and join us at our upcoming meeting featuring Blake Robinson speaking about Clemson’s Ergonomics program, Kristing Lawson with updates on Workday, and a message from Sr. VP for Finance and Operations and CFO Rick Petillo.
Date:Thursday, June 11
Time:2:30 p.m.
Location/Link: In person: Watt 106, Virtually: https://clemson.zoom.us/j/98701587511
Thank you for your continued dedication and for the important role you play during times of change. Together, we will navigate these transitions and continue to make our university a place where we can all succeed.
Wishing you a productive and positive month ahead! Victoria Perry Staff Senate President
In May, Michael wrote in this newsletter about being impartial when you are asked to be involved in your colleagues’ conflicts. For the most part, you all get to choose when you want to be impartial and when you want to take sides; we in the Ombuds Office do not. Remaining impartial is a core value of Ombuds work, and it allows us to mediate conflict, facilitate conversations, pass messages from one person to another, and ensure everyone’s perspectives get airtime in a discussion. I consider remaining impartial to be quite the luxury: While I can care deeply about the people and the situations that come through my office, I also am able to at some point let go of the situation and recognize that it is not on my shoulders to fix. Maybe an advisor asks me to offer mediation to their supervisor. I can offer it, but if the supervisor declines, I have no authority to compel it. I can walk the advisor through what they might do next, but a situation cannot be mediated by the Ombuds until everyone agrees to come to the table.
Sometimes, though, impartiality has a dark side. When someone comes to me with a concern, my job is to help them feel heard and identify their options. At times I can form a bond with this visitor (as we call people who come to our office), and I think that makes it better for both of us. However, occasionally, this bond makes any reminder about impartiality jarring and almost disloyal.
I had a situation this past semester where an employee decided she wanted me there when she confronted her supervisor with perceptions of how the relationship was going. This employee was fed up with what she reported as verbal abuse, micromanagement, and social undermining. After talking about the specifics of how a conversation like that would go, the employee decided to have the conversation without me. Specifically, she was disappointed that I would give her supervisor an opportunity to bring up any concerns she has had in the relationship. In other words, a conversation with an impartial party facilitating cannot be one-sided, and this employee was not looking for a two-sided dialogue.
I can acknowledge that sometimes it is disappointing to share your situation with someone who has to remain impartial about it. It can certainly be challenging not to act when I feel strongly about a situation! But impartiality does not have to mean stoicism or a lack of empathy. It just means that the other person—the one who in your story might be the bully or the villain—is going to get full access to the Ombuds’ time and empathy too.
If impartiality is not what you are looking for—that’s very understandable! The Office of Human Resources, counseling services, and your own supervisor, colleagues, friends, and family do not have to practice to the standard of impartiality. They can join you in believing the other person is a jerk and that you have done nothing wrong. And if that’s what you need, we will help you identify them and get to the right resource. But if you are looking for someone everyone can trust to sit in the middle and facilitate a conversation, give us a call.
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.
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 trainings offered by the Ombuds Office:
Meet Candice Heatherly, Administrative HR Officer for the Dean of the College of Agriculture, Forestry & Life Sciences
Can you tell us about your role here at Clemson?
As the Administrative Officer I serve as the initial contact for staff and student hires for Cooperative Extension, Experiment Station, Livestock Poultry Health, Regulatory Services, Clemson Forest, and other divisions within CAFLS for personnel and recruitment actions, as well as staff relations issues. I work with both on campus and off campus staff and students around the state. I work with our HR Service Managers daily to ensure recruitment, onboarding, and all other areas of the full cycle human resources are completed in a timely and effective manner. I see my role as being the go-to person for human resources questions and concerns. If I don’t know the answer, I typically know where to find it. I also serve on several committees within the college, serve as a Staff Senator for CAFLS, and work with Civil Rights compliance for our USDA funded programs.
What is something fun we might not know about you?
Something fun that people might not know about me is that I run a non-profit, The Comfort Cause, that provides comfort bags to those experiencing a cancer diagnosis. It is truly a passion of mine. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021, and at the time, so many family, friends, coworkers, and even strangers helped me through that time. I could never repay them, but I can pass along the support and comfort they provided to me!
What brought you to Clemson?
As my husband transitioned out of the Marine Corps, we moved back to the area. I knew I wanted to work for Clemson. As a 2009 Clemson graduate, it is truly home to me. I was so grateful to get to work at the place that helped to develop me as a person.
Is there anything you would like for people to know about your department?
I have truly loved working at Clemson. It feels like a family, not just a place to work or attend school. Over the past 10 years, I’ve been incredibly grateful for the many opportunities for both personal and professional growth. Through programs like CU Grow, the ETAP benefit that allowed me to earn my Master’s degree, employee wellness trainings like Struggle Well, and my involvement in Staff Senate, I’ve been able to grow in meaningful ways. The staff at Clemson are truly exceptional, and I’m deeply appreciative of the work they do and the impact they make every day. It is not just a job, it is a family.
The Clemson Champion is Staff Senate’s spotlight for exceptional staff and teams at Clemson. Stay tuned and meet more Clemson Champions in future posts.
