Meet Lt Col Kelley Gonzales, USAF (Ret.)
Kelley is currently the Interim Director of Export Control and Research Security. She was awarded the Research Division’s Special Achievement Award, highlighting her work surrounding Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). Notably, Kelley also earned the Certified CMMC Professional (CCP) credential. At the time of this recognition, the credential was held by fewer than 5 people across all U.S. higher education institutions.
Can you tell us about your role here at Clemson?
I joined Clemson’s Division of Research to help build and strengthen the University’s approach to research security and export control at a time when federal expectations were evolving rapidly. I started as Research Information Security Manager, working closely with faculty, research administrators, and IT partners to establish Clemson’s first comprehensive framework for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in research. I later served as Associate Director and now as Interim Director of Export Control and Research Security, where I provide strategic leadership and senior advisory support across research security, export control, and classified research governance. Throughout these roles, my focus has been on translating complex regulatory requirements into practical, scalable processes that protect the institution while enabling Clemson’s research mission to thrive.
What is something fun we might not know about you?
I love playing free, tournament-style poker. It’s a game full of strategy and never gets old for me. Before coming to Clemson, I played well enough in a free poker league to receive an invitation to the annual national championship, where I placed 12th out of 45 after only about a year and a half of playing. That was a really rewarding experience.
What brought you to Clemson?
When I came to Clemson, my older son had just graduated in Computer Science and was awaiting orders after being commissioned through Clemson’s USAF ROTC program. My younger son is also in the area studying nursing and hopes to finish his schooling as a Tiger. Those were the biggest draws for me initially, but the location is beautiful and the people here are truly exceptional. Those are the things that have kept me here.
Is there anything you would like for people to know about your department?
The Department of Export Control and Research Security directly supports the Clemson Elevate pillar of doubling research by 2035 by helping the University responsibly grow its portfolio of sensitive and regulated research- an area that is expanding rapidly as federal agencies and major research sponsors embed research security requirements earlier in agreements and funding vehicles. Our work focuses on supporting research at the award and agreement stage, where federal research security and export control requirements most directly shape how projects can move forward. We partner closely with faculty, research administrators, and campus stakeholders to translate complex regulations into clear, practical expectations that protect the University and our sponsors while enabling Clemson’s research enterprise to grow in a sustainable way.
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.
