Category: Clemson Champion

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.

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.

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 12^th 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.