June 5, 2026
If you’ve been considering an MBA, now is the time to act. With the Summer and Fall semesters quickly approaching, seats in our cohort-based programs are filling fast. Waiting another year could mean missing the opportunity to join a close-knit group of professionals who will learn, grow and advance together. Don’t put your goals on hold—take the next step today and secure your place in a Clemson MBA cohort before spots are filled.
June 4, 2026
The Brook T. Smith Launchpad (housed in the President’s Office), is hosting the 2026 Clemson High School Entrepreneurship Residential Camp at the Brook T. Smith Launchpad, July 20-24, 2026 (for rising Juniors or rising Seniors).
Other than getting to and from Clemson, the cost of this Camp (Lodging, Food, Seminars, and Extracurricular Activities) has been covered by generous, successful Clemson affiliated entrepreneurs.
Spots are filling quickly, so thank you in advance for acting on this right away.
If you have any questions, please send them to launchpadcamps@clemson.edu.
June 4, 2026
With students away for the summer, Clemson staff and faculty have a golden window to enjoy the gym with a little more elbow room and a quieter atmosphere. Think of it as the gym’s “off-season advantage”.
Summer Operating Hours
June and July Hours
There are a few adjustments and closures during June and July, and they can be found here.
Whether you’re fitting in a lunchtime workout, getting back into a fitness routine or just enjoying the rare luxury of not waiting for equipment, summer is one of the best times for employees to make the most of the gym.
After all, while students are away… the employees can play. 💪
May 14, 2026
This summer, Campus Outdoor Recreation and Education (CORE) is charting a new course for community engagement with the launch of a pilot outdoor adventure program designed specifically for faculty and staff. Blending fresh air, gentle adventure, and a dash of campfire nostalgia, the program offers a series of guided trips and activities aimed at fostering connection, wellness, and a shared appreciation for the outdoors.
The Summer 2026 pilot lineup features four unique events, ranging from relaxed lakeside evenings to full-day river excursions:
Friday, June 12 | 6:30 a.m.
Sunrise Paddleboarding
Early risers can greet the day on Lake Hartwell with a guided paddleboarding session launching from the Snow Complex.
Cost: $5 (staff), $10 (guests)
Registration Required: Maximum of 12 participants
Thursday, June 18 | 5:00 p.m.
Paddle and Pies
Participants will paddleboard or kayak from the Snow Complex to the Your Pie Dockside location, combining recreation with a well-earned treat. Cost does not include pizza.
Cost: $5 (staff), $10 (guests)
Registration Required: Maximum of 12 participants
Saturday, July 25 | 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Ducks on the Tuck
This full-day adventure takes participants to Dillsboro, North Carolina, for an inflatable kayak or raft trip along the Tuckasegee River.
Cost: $35 (staff), $50 (guests, ages 18+)
Registration Required: Maximum of 15 participants
Participation Details
CORE has designed this pilot program with accessibility in mind:
Guests and Children
Participants are welcome to bring guests and children under the following guidelines:
What’s Included
Each trip is designed to be as seamless as it is enjoyable. Participants can expect:
To Register
Visit Campus Recreation and select ‘Outdoor Pro
With its mix of relaxation and adventure, the CORE summer pilot program invites faculty and staff to step outside, try something new, and connect with colleagues in a refreshing setting. Whether gliding across calm morning waters or sharing stories by a fire pit, this initiative promises a season of memorable experiences just beyond the campus edge.
May 13, 2026
Have you ever been drawn into a conflict between co-workers or colleagues? Perhaps one or both people pressured you to take sides. If you felt uncomfortable doing so, because you could see valid points from both points of view, you were likely striving for impartiality. Situations like these are difficult in life in general but even more so within the office setting when you just want people to get along, so you can get back to work.
I recently met with a staff member who had been brought into the middle of an interpersonal conflict between two of his co-workers. They work in a very small office and have a culture that allows for frequent and open communication. Since starting in his role, other staff members have gone to him with their problems, but this particular conflict has been eating up too much of his time and energy. He wants his co-workers to get along, but he can see how they both can be right and both be wrong at times during the conflict. He also has a much longer history with one of the co-workers, while the other is new to the office. He really likes both colleagues, and he believes picking sides would ruin his relationship with at least one of them. He would like to be impartial, help them resolve this conflict, maintain these relationships, and ultimately get back to work but is not sure how.
So, what does it actually mean to be impartial?
If you have ever met with our office or attended one of our training sessions, you might have heard us mention that impartiality is one of our guiding principles. For an Ombuds, impartiality is a professional standard. Since we have no stake in the outcome of a conflict, we have the luxury of distance. We can focus entirely on a fair process where everyone is treated equally. But in the daily life of a department, you often don’t have the luxury of being uninvolved. You are involved because you share an office, a project, or a lunch table with the people in conflict. When you are in it, impartiality isn’t a default setting; it’s a conscious choice.
During an office conflict, you might find yourself wondering: “Do I want to be impartial, or do I have to be?” As a peer, the choice is often about protecting your environment. You might want to stay impartial to preserve your relationships; you value both people and know that picking a side could cause lasting damage to those relationships. Other times, you have to be impartial as a matter of professional integrity; perhaps because you are an informal leader in the group or because the team’s success is based on your decisions. The key is to realize that even if you aren’t an Ombuds, you can still employ the benefits of impartiality: listening to everyone, refusing to let personal bias sway you, and keeping your focus on objective standards rather than office politics.
Bernard Mayer suggests in his book, The Conflict Paradox, “true impartiality isn’t just about staying out of it but being a balanced resource holding space for the rightness and wrongness of both parties simultaneously.” In the scenario I described earlier, it’s the ability to listen to that long-time colleague and the new hire with the same level of curiosity and not letting your history cloud your judgement. Being impartial also means prioritizing what both people truly want to accomplish in the conflict. Whether it is your job to decide who is the winner or not, you can advocate for a fair process where all the facts and feelings are on the table before a solution is identified.
How can I be impartial at work when I am brought into a conflict?
First, clarify your role early. If you are being pulled into a conflict, it is okay to set a boundary. You can say, “I value my relationship with both of you, so I’m going to stay impartial. I won’t take sides, but I am happy to help you both brainstorm how to move forward.”
Next, have a “Heart at Peace.” Before you jump in, ask yourself if you’ve already picked a side in your mind. The Arbinger Institute’s book, The Anatomy of Peace, reminds us that if we see one person as a “problem” and the other as a “victim,” we’ve already taken sides and lost our impartiality. Try to see both individuals as people with legitimate needs and fears.
Finally, focus on the mutual problem: When you feel pressured to take a side, pivot the conversation back to what everyone wants. You might say, “It sounds like you both want this project to succeed, but you have different ideas on the timeline. Let’s focus on that goal.” If you have ever been through our Difficult Situations at Work training (shameless plug) we call this concept, “Us vs. The Problem” rather than “You vs. Me.”
Being impartial isn’t about being passive; it’s about being a steady anchor in a stormy situation. By staying impartial, you aren’t just staying out of it; you’re actually creating the safe space necessary for the conflict to finally be resolved.
Michael Scott
Associate Ombuds
Phone: 864-656-6353
Email: mesctt@clemson.edu
Address: 135 Old Greenville Hwy, Ste. 203 (Next to Esso!)
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.
Save the date for upcoming Fall 2026 trainings offered by the Ombuds Office:
Don’t Tough It Out: Difficult Situations at Work
Friday, Sept. 11 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 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 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
May 8, 2026
After a very successful winter event, the 2026 Entrepreneurship 101 Bootcamp for Clemson Faculty and Staff is returning this summer!
A combination of our staple summer courses, the Founders Academy for Faculty and the Side Hustle Course for Staff, this intensive workshop will teach you the fundamentals of entrepreneurship in one four-hour session!
Join us on Friday, June 5th, 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 May 29 using this link! This course is free, but seats will fill up fast!
For questions or more information contact Maggie Guerra Ayala (magdag@clemson.edu).
May 5, 2026
Don’t leave your benefits on the table! Invest in yourself today. ETAP can help you earn your MBA while you work and it’s not too late to pursue your MBA in 2026! Contact admissions today to discuss your options.
Set up a time to speak with Admissions
March 12, 2026
Starting on March 2, Andy’s spring hours begin! With the warm weather on its way we’re switching to our spring hours so you can spend even more time outdoors. Visit us Monday to Friday from noon to 8 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Whether you’re gearing up for a camping trip, grabbing a paddleboard, or trying something
new, we’ve got the equipment to help you make the most of the season.
And don’t forget, the beach remains open from sunrise to sunset, offering the perfect
backdrop for early morning peace or golden-hour adventures.
Come explore, unwind, and enjoy the fresh spring air with us at Andy’s!
Andy Quattlebaum Outdoor Education Center (Andy’s) is in the Snow Family Outdoor Fitness and Wellness Complex beside the lake. Rentals require a membership. Hanging out on the beach does not!
March 12, 2026
The SC Botanical Garden’s spring plant sale is April 10 – 11.
Find more information here: https://www.clemson.edu/scbg/visit/events/plant-sale.html
Summer camps for children 6-11 years old begin in June.
Mountains to Sea Camp, June 1-5: https://events.clemson.edu/event/22953-mountains-to-sea-camp
Garden Creativity Camp, June 15-19: https://events.clemson.edu/event/22954-garden-creativity-camp
Creature Power Camp, June 22-26: https://events.clemson.edu/event/22954-garden-creativity-camp
Great Green Adventure Camp, July 6-10: https://events.clemson.edu/event/22956-great-green-adventure-camp
Time Traveler’s Camp, July 13-17: https://events.clemson.edu/event/22957-time-travelers-camp
Garden Discovery Camp, July 27-31: https://events.clemson.edu/event/22957-time-travelers-camp
March 12, 2026
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.
