Author: callara

September 1 marked the start of the new 4-H Youth Development club year. Youth ages 5 to 18 can join their local 4-H club(s) through 4-H online for $15 a year. If they register before October 1, they will receive a free T-shirt!  4-H is a nationwide program. In fact, it is the nation’s largest youth development program with approximately 6 million youth and over 35 million alumni of the program. Head, Heart, Hands and Health make up the four H’s.  Youth who participate in 4-H have been found to be twice as likely to make healthier choices and four times more likely to make a positive contribution to their communities! How does this program run in South Carolina? Through Extension!

The Clemson University Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development uses a learn-by-doing approach to help youth gain the knowledge and skills to be responsible, productive and contributing members of society. This mission is accomplished by creating safe and welcoming learning environments, the involvement of caring adults, and utilizing the expertise and resources of Clemson University and the nationwide land-grant university system.

State specific upcoming events or highlights of the past?

Our Clemson Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Agents work with local adult volunteers to form clubs that meet the interests and needs of their community. Over 122,000 youth statewide benefited from 4-H this past year.  Counties offer a variety of 4-H programs from clubs, day camps, independent-study work, competitions, and in-school enrichment across areas of agriculture and animals, civic engagement, healthy living, natural resources, and STEM.  From supporting AI and digital literacy and competing in bridge-building challenges to learning about our watersheds and how to care for animals, 4-H has something to spark every youth’s imagination and equips young people with the real-world skills, resilience, and confidence needed for future life and career challenges.  For every dollar invested in a 4-H’er, there’s a $40 return in economic benefit to the youth, their family, and the community.  You can learn about local clubs or become an adult volunteer by contacting your local 4-H Youth Development Agent, as well as see what is offered statewide online.  Come see 4-H in action at the following upcoming events:

Tractor Supply Co. Paper Clover Campaign (November 27-December 13) – Support 4-H by donating a dollar at checkout in any local store to support 4-H programming!

South Carolina State Fair (October 15-25) – Check us out at our booth in the Ellison Building or visit the animal shows and exhibits! Members and volunteers get in free on 4-H Day on Saturday, October 17^th.

CAFLS Tailgate and Youth Day (November 14) – All 4-H and FFA groups are invited to participate in annual Clemson experience. Registration is available and packages are $75 each which include a ticket to the football game against Georgia Tech, a meal ticket, and a T-shirt.

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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/.

Vulnerability is a popular concept.  We praise when someone shares their personal struggles; we crave leaders to show us they are “real people.”  We appreciate and trust people who are willing to admit they make mistakes and do not have it all together.  At the same time, vulnerability carries real risks.  What are the consequences of sharing so much?  What will people think, say, and do after your show of vulnerability?  The answers to these questions vary based on who we are and the environment we are in.  As much as I believe in vulnerability, it is not so simple to encourage everyone to be vulnerable about everything at all times. 

This concept came to me when someone—we’ll call her Susie—recently expressed frustration about her colleague—Johnny.   Susie told Johnny about a tough situation she encountered with her parents, and she felt like he was empathetic and helpful.  However, after working together for a few months, Susie was growing frustrated that she did not know anything about Johnny’s life.  She would ask about his wife and kids, and he remained very generic.  She wanted him to open up to her like she had to him, and he wasn’t budging.

On the other side of that situation, Johnny understood what Susie wanted from him, but it was not something he was willing to give (way to go setting boundaries, Johnny!).  He was a private person, but even beyond that, he felt like working together for a few months did not earn Susie his entire life story and struggles.  He felt like she needed to earn his vulnerability and had not done that yet. 

This conundrum highlights some stylistic differences.  Some people are going to be naturally vulnerable with anyone.  When my grandmother was near the end of her life, my mom would process it with friends, family, coworkers, strangers, and even the person checking her out at Publix.  Others only share with their core group of people.  The challenge is when the Susies and Johnnys put expectations on each other that they do not agree to meet (see the August newsletter about separating hopes and expectations!).

Creating a space where vulnerability does not feel threatening requires psychological safety.  In a psychologically safe environment, you can admit mistakes, failures, and challenges.  You can question each other, suggest alternate solutions, and express doubts.  You can admit what you are going through and what you struggle with, and you do not have to fear the other person’s reaction to all of that.  We can foster psychological safety by responding productively to other’s admissions, by not getting defensive, and by being willing to admit that we do not have it all figured out.  But even when we feel psychologically safe, that doesn’t ensure others will. 

In some relationships, we have to earn someone else’s vulnerability.  Maybe after a few years of cooperation and friendship, Johnny will begin to share with Susie.  In other relationships, we’ll never get the vulnerability we crave.  We can choose our own level of vulnerability, but we can only do so much to invite others to open up.  They get to accept or decline that invitation. 

Next month, I will cover a situation where we need to be vulnerable whether we feel psychologically safe or not.  In the meantime, weigh the benefits and consequences of being vulnerable, brainstorm some ways to strengthen psychological safety in your area, and move on if you are not met with the same vulnerability you want to offer. ns?  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!

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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!)

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Save the date for upcoming trainings offered by the Ombuds Office:

Don’t Tough It Out:  Difficult Situations at Work

Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, from 9:00 to 12:00

In-person at University Facilities Center, sign up here:  https://clemson.bridgeapp.com/learner/training/cf15179e/sessions/7126/enroll

Navigating Intergenerational Workplaces

Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, from 9:00 to 11:30

Virtually only, sign up here:  https://clemson.bridgeapp.com/learner/training/8c562aa0/sessions/7128/enroll

Giving Effective Feedback

Wed., Oct. 14 from 9:00 to 10:30

Virtually only, sign up here:  https://clemson.bridgeapp.com/learner/training/3bc50439/sessions/7129/enroll

Emotional Intelligence at Work

Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, from 9:00 to 11:00

In-person at University Facilities Center, sign up here: https://clemson.bridgeapp.com/learner/training/1be18cf1/sessions/7130/enroll

Combating Burnout and Cultivating Resilience

Friday, Nov. 6, from 9:00 to 11:00

Virtually only, sign up here:  https://clemson.bridgeapp.com/learner/training/86042925/sessions/7132/enroll

Register now for HPC Day on Friday, September 18

CCIT Research Computing and Data and ReDCAT are pleased to announce the second annual High Performance Computing (HPC) Day event to showcase HPC research and education on Friday, September 18, 2026, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. in Hendrix Student Center. This event is a fantastic opportunity to network with other HPC researchers, learn new skills and information and elevate cutting-edge research. Registration for the free event is open for Clemson staff, employees and students (graduate and undergraduate).

Learn more and register: http://go.tig.rs/hpc-day-26

Some of the highlights of the day will include:

• Keynote Speakers
  • Barr von Oehsen – Director, Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center
  • D. Hudson Smith – Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
  • Olga Kuksenok – Materials Science and Engineering
• Sessions
  • Presentations
    • Clemson Faculty Lightning Talks
    • Where AI Meets Reality
    • Quantum Research at Clemson
    • From Soft Materials to Bio Systems
    • Industry Perspectives
    • Data Center Metrics / Monitoring
  • Panels
    • Q&A – Careers in HPC
    • Quantum Computing – Intro and Perspectives
    • HPC in Education Roundtable: Integrating HPC into Academic Teaching
  • Workshops
    • Intro to Clemson RCD LLM Service
    • Using Generative AI in Research with HPC
• Student Poster Competition
• Networking opportunities with researchers, support staff and industry contacts
• Free lunch and giveaways for all registered attendees

Greetings from the Brook T. Smith Launchpad! 

THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP 101 BOOTCAMP IS BACK!

Come learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship! 

By popular demand our Entrepreneurship 101 Bootcamp returns this Fall to the Launchpad! This intensive workshop for Faculty and Staff will teach you the fundamentals of entrepreneurship in one four-hour session!

Whether you already have a side hustle, a company or an idea, or if you just wonder if entrepreneurship is for you, this course will spark your entrepreneurial mind, while learning and networking with like-minded Clemson colleagues! A certificate of completion will be issued to all attendees.

Join us on Friday, September 11, 2026 starting at 1:00 pm at the Brook T. Smith Launchpad, for a course of empowering learning, insightful discussions, skill enhancement, and personal growth. The session will feature the following modules: Refining your idea; Identifying customers & creating value; Conducting your competitor analysis; Making sure you make money and, Understanding legal issues. A certificate of completion will be issued to all attendees.

Register by September 10 using this link! This course is free, but seats will fill up fast!

Questions? Email Maggie Guerra-Ayala, Operations Manager at magdag@clemson.edu

Looking for a fun way to stay active, reduce stress, and connect with others on campus? Fike Recreation Center offers a variety of group fitness classes throughout the week that are open to all members.

Whether you’re new to fitness or have years of experience, our instructors create a welcoming environment for participants of all fitness levels. Every exercise can be modified to meet individual needs and abilities, allowing you to work at a pace that feels right for you.

For employees seeking lower-impact options, Pilates, yoga, barre, and cycling offer excellent opportunities to improve strength, flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular health while minimizing impact on the joints. These classes are especially adaptable and can accommodate a wide range of fitness levels.

If you’re looking for a higher-energy workout, Fike also offers dance-based classes that combine fitness and fun. Classes such as Werk It, Cardio Dance, and HIIT the Dancefloor provide an upbeat atmosphere and a great way to get your heart rate up while enjoying music and movement.

We encourage Clemson employees to take advantage of these opportunities to prioritize wellness, increase physical activity, and experience the supportive community that group fitness provides.

Here’s a link to our updated class schedule. Classes held at Fike are orange. This schedule will be kept updated online. Group Fitness Schedule Link Take the first step toward a healthier, more active lifestyle by joining a class this week. Whether you prefer mindful movement, strength-building exercises, energizing cycling sessions, or dance-focused workouts, Fike Recreation Center has something for everyone. We look forward to seeing you in class!

Interested in earning an MBA? We’d love to connect with you! For a one-on-one conversation with Admissions, email mbaprogram@clemson.edu.

Planning to start in January? Spring enrollment deadlines for the Part-Time Corporate and Online programs are right around the corner, October 1 for priority consideration and November 15 for the final deadline.

Join our virtual information session on October 8th to learn how Clemson’s MBA programs can help you reach your goals and how to use your employee tuition assistance benefit.

Register for the Information Session Here! 

In today’s newsletter, Staff Senate President Victoria Perry welcomes the new semester and faces on campus including the new President of Clemson Univeristy, Dr. Benjamin Ayers. Plus, meet this month’s Clemson Champion- Todd Cochran, read the Ombuds letter and more!

Join us Thursday, August 13 at 2:30PM in the Watt Center room 106 or virtually (https://clemson.zoom.us/j/98701587511) for the August Staff Senate meeting.  

Letter from the President, August 2026

Meet Todd Cochran- Clemson Champion

Separate Hopes and Expectations

National Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) Contest

Participate in 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Events

Can you tell the difference between a red-eyed vireo call and an American robin call? Can you tell me what a northern bobwhite eats? High schoolers from across the country can and will get to showcase these talents this July.

Often, our Clemson Extension program teams work together to conduct programs for the state and even the country.  A great example of these team efforts is the Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP), where the Clemson Extension Natural Resources, 4-H, and Agriculture Education Teams work together to host our annual State Contest.  This past July, Clemson Extension took these efforts one step further. Clemson hosted the National Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) National Contest, a program for 4-H and FFA high schoolers to learn more about wildlife management and wildlife biology.   

Staff Senator and Membership Committee Co-Chair, Mallory Maher, currently serves as the WHEP National Committee Chair and led the efforts to host 18 teams in South Carolina at the South Carolina FFA Leadership Center in Cherry Grove, SC.  This was the first time South Carolina has hosted the National contest in almost 30 years.

During the contest, youth had the opportunity to meet and interact with professionals from the wildlife industry at a fun, hands-on education day, and then put their wildlife knowledge to the test through various activities, ranging from a wildlife ID contest to writing a wildlife management plan.  This program is truly one of the most hands-on and applicable programs in existence, giving youth a glimpse of what a potential career in wildlife or natural resources might look like.

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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/.

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. 

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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:

1. Do they know what my expectations are?
2. Do they agree to meet these expectations? 
3. 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!

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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!)

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Save the date for upcoming trainings offered by the Ombuds Office:

Don’t Tough It Out:  Difficult Situations at Work

Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, from 9:00 to 12:00

In-person at University Facilities Center, sign up here:  https://clemson.bridgeapp.com/learner/training/cf15179e/sessions/7126/enroll

Navigating Intergenerational Workplaces

Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, from 9:00 to 11:30

Virtually only, sign up here:  https://clemson.bridgeapp.com/learner/training/8c562aa0/sessions/7128/enroll

Giving Effective Feedback

Wed., Oct. 14 from 9:00 to 10:30

Virtually only, sign up here:  https://clemson.bridgeapp.com/learner/training/3bc50439/sessions/7129/enroll

Emotional Intelligence at Work

Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, from 9:00 to 11:00

In-person at University Facilities Center, sign up here: https://clemson.bridgeapp.com/learner/training/1be18cf1/sessions/7130/enroll

Combating Burnout and Cultivating Resilience

Friday, Nov. 6, from 9:00 to 11:00

Virtually only, sign up here:  https://clemson.bridgeapp.com/learner/training/86042925/sessions/7132/enroll