Clemson has a resource specifically designed to support faculty and staff experiencing food insecurity or financial hardship. The Nook provides access to non-perishable food, toiletries, household products and other everyday essentials for Clemson employees who may need a little extra support.
Located on Klugh Avenue next to Parking and Transportation Services, The Nook offers a confidential and welcoming space for employees to access what they need. The Nook is open Tuesday- Thursday from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., with additional times available by appointment. They also follow the University holiday schedule.
There are also several ways to support The Nook and fellow Clemson employees, including donating items, making a monetary donation, hosting a food drive or volunteering. Whether you could use the resource yourself or are looking for a way to support others in the Clemson community, The Nook is a great resource to know about and share!
The Nook website: https://www.clemson.edu/campus-life/the-nook/ Contact email: thenook@clemson.edu
In recognition of the 60th anniversary of the R.M. Cooper Library, we are recognizing the entire Clemson Libraries team as our Clemson Champions this month!
The Libraries has a large team of more than 100 employees across its locations. On the main campus, the Libraries has four locations: Cooper Library, the Education Media Center in Tillman Hall, the Gunnin Architecture Library in Lee Hall, and Special Collections and Archives in the Strom Thurmond Institute. Off-campus, there is the Library Depot in Pendleton, as well as branch libraries at the CU-ICAR campus in Greenville and at the Charleston Design Center.
The Libraries is comprised of three divisions:
Collections and Discovery is responsible for acquiring, maintaining and providing access to all of the Libraries’ information resources and collections, both print and electronic. This division also includes resource sharing, off-site storage, courier operations, and Special Collections and Archives, which includes Records Management.
Organizational Performance and Administration supports the success of the Libraries as an organization and its employees, focusing on organizational development and continuous improvement. Departments in this division include assessment, IT infrastructure, learning environments, strategic planning, and marketing and communication.
Teaching, Learning and Research is responsible for the promotion, education, and use of collections and services to support student and faculty research and instruction, as well as digital literacy, AI literacy, digital scholarship, scholarly communications, and data services. The Data Visualization Lab and the Adobe Studio and Makerspace fall under this division, as does Clemson University Press.
Clemson Libraries By the Numbers:
Total items in the collections: 3,741,842
1,080,114 physical items
2,661,728 electronic resources
1,390,645 visitors to all library locations in FY2026
15,211 reference questions answered in FY2026
162 instruction sessions conducted for 4,778 people in FY2026
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.
Every October, the Sunbelt Ag Expo is held in Moultrie, Georgia. This expo is the largest farm show in the southeast, drawing roughly 100,000 visitors over three days. Visitors consist of farmers, youth, industry experts, college students, and curious citizens from across the region. Clemson University is well represented annually in an orange barn full of Clemson Cooperative Extension staff, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CAFLS) staff and students. South Carolina also has the privilege of being the spotlight state for 2026! The Expo is October 20-22, and we hope you can attend the educational talks, visit the vendor booths, and explore the college barns.
Visitors to the Clemson University barn will be introduced to the various program teams of Clemson Cooperative Extension through interactive educational tables. The Agribusiness Team has a Farm Trivia Wheel where visitors will answer an agricultural question or identify an animal, crop, or natural resource in a picture. Our Food Systems and Safety Team draws a lot of attention with their South Carolina food products available to taste while talking to people about safely handling and serving food. The Horticulture Team will have an impressive butterfly house this year, along with pesticide safety resources and tools. Perspective students can interact with CAFLS Agricultural Mechanization and Business students and staff through farm safety demonstrations.
The South Carolina Department of Agriculture will be set up in the state spotlight building, showcasing the state’s diverse agriculture. South Carolina Farm Bureau will help with highlighting our state during the Farmer of the Year Awards Luncheon. The South Carolinian Farmer of the Year for 2026, Jeffrey Massey, was nominated by Area Horticulture Agent and Assistant Program Team Leader Zack Snipes. Massey owns Livingston’s Bulls Bay Seafood in McClellanville, SC, where he and his wife manage clam, oyster, shrimp and soft-shell crab production. You can learn more about our Farmer of the Year at 2026 South Carolina Farmer of the Year: Jeffrey (Jeff) Massey | Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia.
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/.
Enjoy lunch and networking, hear from current MBA students, meet faculty, learn about career services and admissions, and tour Greenville ONE. You can also sit in on about 15 minutes of an MBA Capstone class.
Last month, I discussed how psychological safety inspires vulnerability. When psychological safety exists, people might be more willing to admit mistakes, wrestle with challenges, and share their own shortcomings. In some relationships, we have to earn the other person’s vulnerability; we can’t expect it right away. There is, however, an important exception when vulnerability should be offered without having to be earned: The vulnerability of our leadership.
I recently worked with a leader on campus whose employees were overworked and unhappy. He wanted to hear the specifics of their complaints, but within limits. He provided guidance for how he wanted to hear concerns, and he would not listen otherwise. He also made it clear to his team that he was unwilling to be asked questions without rewording the questions first.
My message to him was essentially, no deal. If you ascend to a leadership position, your team does not have to earn your honesty, humility, vulnerability, and transparency. If you have concerns about someone’s behavior or wording, you can address that through a separate process. But leaders do not have the luxury of behaving well only when people are behaving well first. Not only that, but if our leaders do not behave well first, why would any of the rest of us?
This message is not just for executive leadership across campus. If you supervise employees, lead groups of students, or manage teams working on a specific project, vulnerability with your teams is essential to your success and your team’s morale.
Leaders’ vulnerability carries risk—and certainly more risk for some than others—but I would argue it is the risk you sign up to take when ascending to a leadership role. As I work with leaders and coach developing ones, some of my advice includes:
Model the honest, humble, vulnerable, and transparent behavior you want your people to exhibit.
Be willing to answer anyone’s questions. If you do not like the way it has been asked, address that separately.
If you worry about being asked a question that will be embarrassing or difficult to answer, make a plan for that now. Brainstorm those questions, and prepare and practice how you will respond.
If you are not willing to be the first one to be vulnerable, why? What’s behind this that you might need to explore?
At the risk of oversimplifying, this is a similar concept to reminding my kids that they can’t hit someone who hit them first. We hold ourselves to certain standards regardless of how other people behave. Leaders also need to hold themselves to certain standards regardless of how people behave. This phenomenon is a price leaders pay for being in their positions, but it can also be proof that we have promoted the right people to lead our Clemson community.
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:
Celebrating All Abilities (formerly NDEAM- National Disability Employment Awareness Month) is where we recognize the abilities of all our students, staff and faculty. Events are open for everyone to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of persons with disabilities, raise awareness of disability-related topics, and equip the campus community with knowledge and strategies of how best to continue supporting individuals with disabilities. The Division of Civil and Individual Rights, Clemson Computing and Information Technology, and CU’s Accessibility Committee have partnered to host 11 “Let’s Break to Educate” events in October. These events are virtual and/or in-person and are open to everyone. They will feature faculty and staff presentations on multiple disability awareness topics including accessibility in digital technology, artificial intelligence, agriculture, inclusive language and design, and disability culture and community.
October 5th, 1 pm – 2 pm via Zoom AgrAbility in South Carolina: Accessibility Meets Agriculture Lance Beecher, Associate Extension Specialist
October 7th, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm via zoom Access by Design: How Language, Information and Accessibility Influence Inclusion and Exclusion Anthony Fattibene, Lecturer of American Sign Language
October 9th, 11 am – 12 pm via Zoom Accessapalooza! An Accessibility Toolkit Showcase Dan Lewis, Director of Digital Accessibility Walker Massey, IT Accessibility Specialist Rachel Roback, Accessibility Coordinator Michelle Tuten, Accessibility Coordinator
October 14th, 11 am – 12 pm via Zoom Canvas Accessibility Checkers James Butler, Senior Digital Learning Strategist
October 15th, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm via zoom Exploring Assistive Technology (Screen Readers and More) Michelle Tuten, Accessibility Coordinator
October 16th, 2 pm – 3 pm via zoom Introduction to the Deaf Community: Part Two- Values of Deaf Culture Bo Clements, Senior Lecturer of American Sign Language
October 19th, 10 am – 11 am via Zoom and in 309 Cooper library AI Literacy & Accessibility Anne Grant, Librarian Molly Nestor, Lecturer and Associate Director of First-Year Writing
October 21st, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm via zoom More Than Words: Interpretation in the AI Age Dan Devor, American Sign Language-English Interpreter
October 23rd, 12 pm – 1 pm via zoom From Prompt to PDF: Testing AI Design Tools Dan Lewis, Director of Digital Accessibility Walker Massey, IT Accessibility Specialist Sarah Swofford, Director of Teaching and Learning, College of Veterinary Medicine
October 27th, 11 am – 12 pm via zoom Myths and Misinformation About Student Accommodations Margaret Camp, Director of Student Accessibility Services
October 30th, 11 am – 12 pm via zoom Accessibility is Not Optional: What if the World Were Reversed? Tasha Goodrich, Lecturer of American Sign Language
As we look forward to President Ayers joining us for our upcoming Staff Senate meeting, we encourage staff to watch the recently recorded Conversation with President Ayers. The conversation covers a variety of topics and provides an opportunity to hear directly from President Ayers about his vision and priorities for Clemson.
During the Staff Senate meeting, we will ask President Ayers several questions submitted by staff and Senators. While we will not be able to address every question, some of the topics submitted have already been discussed during the recorded conversation.
One of the things I appreciate most about Clemson is the way our community comes together during both moments of remembrance and celebration. September gives us the chance to do both, as we honor the past and embrace time-honored Clemson traditions.
Each year, September 11 provides a chance to reflect on the unity that emerged during one of our nation’s most challenging times. While many members of our campus community have personal memories of that day, others know it only through the stories shared over the past 25 years.
Participating in campus remembrance events offers an opportunity not only to honor those we lost, but also to reflect on the values that continue to bring us together: service, compassion, and a commitment to supporting one another. In a world that often feels divided, these moments remind us of the strength and resilience we find in community.
This year, Clemson will honor the 25th anniversary of 9/11 through several events. On September 11, Military & Veteran Engagement will host the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Littlejohn Coliseum, a tribute honoring those who lost their lives and the first responders who answered the call that day. Participants will climb the equivalent of the 110 floors of the World Trade Center towers, symbolizing the courage, sacrifice, and determination displayed all those years ago. If you’re interested in joining this event, you can register online through Eventbrite. If you cannot make it to the MVE Stair Climb but still want an opportunity to pay tribute, Campus Recreation is hosting a partnership stair climb on the Stairmasters inside of Fike Recreation Center. This partnership event is open to all Campus Recreation members, who can register on their website.
On September 10 and 14 Clemson will host its inaugural Tigers Meal Pack for 9/11 Day, bringing together the Clemson community to pack and distribute meals for local families facing food insecurity. The event is part of the nationally recognized September 11 Day of Service and Remembrance and reflects the idea that one of the most meaningful ways to honor those we lost is through giving back. If you’d like to help pack meals or deliver them in the community, you can sign up online through Eventbrite.
These events remind us that the Clemson family is built not only through celebration, but also through shared acts of service and support for one another. In a world that can often feel divided, these moments bring us together and remind us of the values that unite us.
That same sense of connection can also be found in the traditions that bring us together throughout the year. This month some of the traditions that make Clemson such a special place are back! From the First Friday Parade to the excitement of our first home football game against Georgia Southern, these events serve as reminders of the spirit and pride that connect generations of Tigers. This year, Staff Senate will be walking in the parade, to promote awareness of the Employee Emergency Fund and Endowment and invite members of the community to contribute. If you can’t make it to the parade but would like to donate to the fund or endowment, you can do so by signing up for a one-time gift or a recurring gift through payroll deduction.
Whether you’re lining the parade route, cheering on our Tigers in Death Valley, or simply enjoying the excitement across campus this month, these traditions create lasting memories. They remind us that Clemson is more than just a workplace or a university; it is a community built on shared experiences, traditions, and relationships.
To continue fostering those relationships, I encourage you to start a new tradition for yourself and join us for our monthly Staff Senate meetings. This month will feature remarks from President Ayers, an introduction to Clemson’s new Chief of Staff Alton Standifer, and exciting information from our HR partners on staff performance in Workday, updates on open enrollment, and a general Q&A.
Meet Matthew Boudreaux, Associate Director of New Student Orientation l Projects
Can you tell us about your role here at Clemson?
I manage and oversee the design, implementation and assessment of new student orientation initiatives, inclusive of our in-person experience Ready, Set, Roar! as well as the virtual components of New Student Orientation. Along with the Assistant Director, I work closely with the Orientation Ambassadors and help out with other initiatives from our office, including our campus visit experience and Admitted Students Day (Tiger Town Takeover).
What is something fun we might not know about you?
I love Broadway – I’ve seen 66 shows! You can catch me at Thursday Nights at the Peace Center & and any local Theatre in the Upstate!
What brought you to Clemson?
I knew I wanted to work in Orientation after grad school and the search landed me here! I knew the people were special back then and that continues to be the reason why I stay.
Is there anything you would like for people to know about your department?
Visits, Events, and Orientation is still such a young office since its inception, but we have produced SO MUCH! We are growing quickly and want to work with all campus departments and community partners to show how special Clemson is to all of our prospective and admitted students and families.
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.
Omnium: A Bold New Circus is a world-renowned, welcoming and spectacular non-profit Circus company. We assure everyone can participate together in joy, laughter, thrills, chills and connection through representation, comprehensive access and shared wonder. By spotlighting and supporting disability in the arts, we showcase the extraordinary feats that highlight the astounding potential of the human spirit.
American Patchwork Quartet
Thursday, September 24, at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets from $25
American Patchwork Quartet (APQ)—founded by multi-GRAMMY® Award-winning guitarist and vocalist Clay Ross and shaped in collaboration with an ensemble of internationally celebrated musicians—binds timeless American folk songs with jazz sophistication, country twang, West African hypnotics, and East Asian ornamentation. Their debut album was recently nominated for “Best Folk Album” at the 67th GRAMMY® Awards.
A dance theatre adaptation of the #1 New York Times bestseller, What Do You Do With a Problem?—a powerful story for all ages about a child facing a persistent problem. At first, the problem feels overwhelming, growing larger the more it’s ignored. But when the child bravely confronts it, the problem reveals unexpected possibilities. This moving production invites audiences to see challenges in a new light—reminding us that within every problem may lie a hidden opportunity…and a chance to discover something meaningful about ourselves.
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
American Soundscapes
Utsey Chamber Music Series
Tuesday, October 6, at 7:30 p.m.
FREE, ticket required
Celebrating the rich voices of American composers, 13 musicians in the CMS explore a range of musical expressions that define the nation’s cultural landscape. William Bolcom’s lively Rag infuses playful energy into the string quartet, while Amy Beach’s Piano Quintet, a cornerstone of American chamber music, blends lyrical vibrancy with innovative harmonies. Bernard Herrmann’s Psycho Suite, performed in its original instrumentation for strings, brings the suspense of his iconic film score into the concert hall with gripping intensity and dark beauty. The concert concludes with Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring Suite, a quintessentially American work that captures the hope and optimism of life on the frontier.
The Music Man
Tuesday, October 13, at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets from $45
Meredith Willson’s timeless, six-time Tony Award®-winning musical comedy, The Music Man, follows a notorious, fast-talking traveling salesman as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band that he vows to organize – despite the fact that he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian Paroo, the local librarian. A true musical theater gem, the story’s relevance transcends generations with unforgettable songs including “Seventy-Six Trombones,” “Trouble,” ‘Till There Was You,” “Pickalittle,” and “Gary, Indiana.”
Charlotte Ballet
Whispers, Echoes, Voices
Thursday, October 29, at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets from $25
Charlotte Ballet presents a mixed repertory, contemporary program featuring choreographers Jiří Kylián, Crystal Pite, and Mthuthuzeli November. Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort wields fencing foils and fabric in a euphoric exploration of tension and release, reflecting the delicate balance between vulnerability and strength while capturing the essence of life’s nature to the melody of Mozart. Crystal Pite’s Solo Echo sweeps through like a winter wind, its poetry etched in motion, resilience, and the echo of remembrance — a profound narrative of connection and emotional endurance. Resident Choreographer Mthuthuzeli November’s As I Am breathes life into ancestral voices, honoring the past, embracing the strength of the future, and the quiet freedom of truly arriving as oneself.
Tickets available at clemson.edu/brooks. Clemson University staff members receive 10% off tickets on all Boni Belle and Family Series shows.
