Office of Major Fellowships (OMF) Staff
Meet Our Staff
Robyn Curtis
Director
Advises
Robyn advises for awards requiring university endorsement or nomination.
About Robyn
Robyn Curtis has been a fellowships advisor since 2008. A historian by training, her path to this profession was not straight, but she loves to say "fellowships advising is the job I never knew I always wanted." Before coming to Clemson to open the Office of Major Fellowships in 2018, she established the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards at the University of Southern Mississippi. She has served on selection committees for many national competitive programs. Robyn, Clemson's 2024 Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Outstanding Staff and 2022 Frank A. Burtner Excellence in Advising awardee, enjoys helping students find opportunities to do things they never imagined were possible. The lightbulb moment when a student is able to articulate their goals and explain why a fellowship is a great fit for their experiences will never get old. Robyn is the current Vice President of the National Association of Fellowships Advisors as well as the President of Clemson's chapter of Phi Kappa Phi. She also actively champions the success of others in the fellowships community, by mentoring advisors who are just starting their careers or establishing a new office.
Celia Crifasi
Assistant Director
Advises
Celia advises for STEM-focused opportunities and first and second-year student programs not requiring university nomination.
About Celia
Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Celia developed her love for research and writing through earning too many degrees in history. Her global experiences and dedication to serving students have been constants throughout her career, leading her to the fellowships world. Celia has studied and conducted research in both Spain and Brazil, taught university courses, worked as an academic counselor, and led the honors thesis program at the Ogden Honors College at LSU; experiences that helped her develop a love for helping students acquire the skills and the tools they need to reach their goals. She is looking forward to continuing this role at Clemson in the Office of Major Fellowships and working with individual students to pursue their passions and further their academic development
Erin DeCuir
Assistant Director
Advises
Erin advises for international-focused opportunities and other awards for juniors and seniors not requiring university nomination.
About Erin
Erin grew up as a military brat, spending each year of high school in a different country and finding home wherever the family was stationed. The constant exposure to different places and cultures inspired her love of adventure and the habit of taking opportunities where they came. This led to a non-traditional career path spanning different industries and interests, from working for a Congressman in Washington, D.C. to teaching English in China, and everything in between. Erin has gained over 20 years professional experience in the academic, corporate, and government sectors, including 11 years educating adults and university students in academic research, writing, and English language learning. As disparate as her roles have been, the skills and experience she gained from each opportunity come together nicely in her work in the Office of Major Fellowships, allowing her to help students and alumni articulate and explore their interests and goals. Because her life has never been a straight line, she looks forward to helping others shape their own crooked paths.
Elise Blackburn
Draft Reviewer and Application Advisor
Advises
Elise advises for the Gilman and Gilman-McCain International Scholarship program and supports on other award processes including the Fulbright Student program and the Fund for Education Abroad.
About Elise
Elise Blackburn, a Charleston native, first found a home at Clemson as a 2018 National Scholar. During her undergraduate career, Elise worked for three years as a Clemson Writing Fellow and found a passion for working one-on-one with students to revise their writing and tell their story. Elise took this passion abroad during their Fulbright grant as an English Teaching Assistant, running the writing center of IE University in Madrid, Spain and mentoring students from around the globe. She is excited to be returning to Clemson this year to pursue an M.Ed. in Student Affairs, the next step in a career developing long-term relationships with students and advising them through a turning point in their lives.
Frank A. Burtner award winner goes above and beyond for students
Robyn Curtis, the Director of the Office of Major Fellowships on campus, was the 2022 recipient of the University’s Frank A. Burtner Award for Excellence in Advising. The award recognizes a faculty or staff member who excels in developing students in the areas of leadership, devotion to duty and service while serving as an adviser to students or student organizations (academic or non-academic).
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