Previous PLI Classes
The President's Leadership Institute began in 2016 under President Clements as a professional development opportunity for faculty and staff at Clemson University. Each of the cohorts was carefully selected to participate in PLI. Upon graduating from PLI, they have continued to excel as leaders both here at Clemson and beyond, and we celebrate their professional growth and accomplishments.
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2023 Cohort
- Josh Barnes, Executive Director, Center for Student Leadership & Engagement
- Tessa Byer, University Ombuds
- Kelly Caine, Professor, School of Computing, College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
- David Clayton, Assistant Vice President, OCPSI and Executive Director, CU-ICAR
- Shamella Cromartie, Associate Dean, Organizational Performance and Inclusion, Clemson Libraries
- Monique Everroad, Policy Program Manager, Office of University Compliance and Ethics
- Joe Galbraith, Associate Vice President, Strategic Communications for Marketing and Communications
- Corrine Grant, Director of Alumni Relations and Development, Division of Inclusive Excellence
- Kristen Lawson, Director of Strategic Initiative, Finance and Operations
- Dan Lewis, Director of Digital Accessibility, CCIT
- Renee Lyons, Director, Science Outreach Center
- Michael McManus, District Extension Director, Pee Dee
- Nathan McNeese, Associate Professor, School of Computing, College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
- Michael Neault, Director of Livestock Poultry Health and State Veterinarian
- Brandy Page, Executive Director of Development, Parent Philanthropy, Student Affairs and University Wide Initiatives
- Lior Rennert, Associate Professor, Department of Public Health Sciences and Director, Clemson Center for Public Health Modeling and Response
- Donna Roberston, Senior Director of Institutional Excellence, Strategic Execution
- Kaifa Roland, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Director of Global Black Studies
- Amanda Rumsey, Associate Professor, Department of Education and Human Development, College of Education
- Jose Sagarnaga, Clinical Assistant Professor and General Management Area Coordinator, Department of Management, Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business
- Jasmine Townsend, Associate Professor and Fellow, Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute and PRTM and Director, Clemson Adaptive Sports and Recreation
- Erica Walters, Program Manager, ClemsonLIFE
- Danny Weathers, Professor, Department of Marketing, Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business
- Daniel Whitehead, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry
- Kevin White, Deputy Director of Athletics
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2022 Cohort
Fadi Abdeljawad, Dean’s Assistant Professor, CECAS/Department of Engineering and Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Morgan Allen, Director of Academic Services for Enterprise Applications, CCIT
Bill Baldwin, Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator, College of Science/Department of Biological Sciences
Kyle Barrett, Associate Professor of Wildlife Conservation, CAFLS/Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation
Savannah Bock, Business Officer, College of Education
Lisa Claxton, Senior Associate General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel
Kelly Collins, Chief of Staff and Operations, CECAS
Shelia Cotten, Provost’s Distinguished Professor and Associate Vice President for Research Development, Office of Research Development
Khristy Glover, Accountant/Fiscal Analyst III, PSA/Regulatory Services
Sara Hanks, Director of the Emerging Scholars program, Division of Inclusion and Equity/Office of Preparation and Outreach
Katie Hildebrand, Director of the Erwin Center for Brand Communications, Wilbur O. and Anne Powers College of Business
Kevin James, Professor and Director, School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, College of Science
Ale Kennedy, Chief Human Resources Officer for Clemson University
David Kuskowski, Vice President for Enrollment Management, Offices in Enrollment Management
Jason Lucas, Associate Professor, CAAH/Nieri Family Department of Construction Science and Management
Dana Morgan, Associate Executive Director of Marketing and Special Initiatives, Clemson Alumni Association
Corliss Outley, Professor and Director of the Race, Ethnicity, Youth & Social Equity (REYSE) Collaboratory, PRTM
Noelle Paufler, Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the Doctor of Education (EdD) in Education Systems Improvement Science, College of Education
Lesslie Pekarek, Medical Director for Student Health Services, Division of Student Affairs
Harrison Pinckney IV, Assistant Professor and Associate Director of the Race, Ethnicity, Youth and Social Equity (REYSE) Collaboratory, PRTM
Amanda Richardson, Associate Athletic Director of Compliance, Athletic Compliance Office
Philip Sikes, Communications Director, Division of University Relations/Division of Student Affairs
Chad Sosolik, Professor and Undergraduate Program Coordinator, College of Science/Department of Physics and Astronomy
Deveraux Williams, IT & Training Manager, Division of University Relations
Cairen Withington, Director of Program Review and Effectiveness, Graduate School -
2021 Cohort
Andrew Hurley, Associate Professor, Food, Nutrition, & Packaging Sciences
Anthony Bernarducci, Associate Professor of Music & Director of Choral and Vocal Studies, CAAH/Performing Arts
April Purvis, Legal Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Clemson University Foundation
Arthur Leonard, Audit Manager, Office of Internal Audit
Beth Bell, Director of Advocacy, Office of Governmental Affairs
Brenda Burk, Head of Special Collections, Libraries/Special Collections
Celeste (CC) Bates, Professor of Literacy; Director - Clemson Reading, College of Education/Education and Human Development
Dustin Foxworth, Chief Business Officer, Office of the Provost & Academic Affairs
Johnell Brooks, Associate Professor, CECAS / Department of Automotive Engineering
Ken Robinson, Associate Professor, CBSHS/Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice
Mandy Hays, Assistant Vice President for Campus Life, Division of Student Affairs
Marissa Shuffler Porter, Associate Professor, CBSHS/Psychology
Matt Lombardi, Associate Athletic Director for Academic Services, Athletics
Matt Hersom, Director and Professor, CAFLS / Piedmont Research & Education Center
Matt Chambers, Executive Director of Visual Analytics, CCIT
Meredyth Crichton, Executive Director, Energy Innovation Center
Mikah Jones, Director of Finance, SCI/Dean’s Office
Nathan Long, Executive Director, IT Customer Services, CCIT
Nicole Davis, Associate Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator, CBSHS/ Nursing
Rodney Jones, Industry Project Manager, Engineering, Computer and Applied Sciences
Ryan Mullins, J. Daniel and Nancy Garrison Professor - Associate Professor, The Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business/Marketing Department
Saara DeWalt, Professor and Chair, Science/Biological Sciences
Sarah Custer, Director of Emergency Management, Public Safety
Shontavia Johnson, Associate Vice President for Entrepreneurship and Innovation/Faculty, Office of the Provost, College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences and Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice
Tracy Arwood, Associate VP & Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, University Compliance & Ethics -
2020 Cohort
Thompson Mefford, Associate Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
Natasha Croom, Assistant Professor of Higher Education and Student Affairs, College of Education
Mariela Fernandez, Assistant Professor, College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences
Carter McElveen, Senior Lecturer; Alumni Master Teacher, College of Business
Lori Dickes, Associate Professor; Associate Chair, College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences
Suzanne Rook Schilf, Head of Information & Research Services, Clemson University Libraries
Valerie Zimany, Chair and Associate Professor, Ceramics, Department of Art
Kevin Finneran, Professor, Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences
Sean Brittain, Department Chair and Professor of Astronomy, Physics and Astronomy
Allison Whaley, University Ombuds for Staff
Nalinee Patin, IRB Administrator, Research Compliance
Serita Acker, Executive Director of PEER & WISE, College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
Liliana Gehring, Chief of Strategy and Operations, College of Science
Amber Lange, Executive Director College Preparation and Outreach, Inclusion and Equity
Kryssa Cooper, Director of Corporate & Community Relations, Student Affairs
Laura Stoner, Director, Land and Capital Asset Stewardship, Real Estate Development
Lee Currington, Director of Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery, CCIT
Liz Bartges, Director of Digital Strategy, University Relations Marketing
Tommy Fallaw, Director of Landscaping and Custodial Services, Landscape Services
Jon Clayton, Executive Customer Success Manager, CCIT
Jonathan Gantt, Marketing & Public Relations Executive, Athletics
Steve Warner, Associate Vice President for Corporate Partnerships, Clemson University Restoration Institute
Steve Cole, Director of Regulatory & Public Service Programs, Corporate Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives
Kyle Shields, Director of Premium Seating/Major Gifts Officer, IPTAY -
2019 Cohort
Phebian Davis-Culler, clinical assistant professor, College of Business
Brian Dean, assistant professor of computing, College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
Tania Houjeiry, senior lecturer and director of Research Experience for Undergraduates program, College of Science
Hans Klar, associate professor and assistant department chair, College of Education
Joseph Mazer, chair, department of Communication, College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences
Veronica Parker, alumni professor and director of the Center for Health Disparities, school of nursing, College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences
Srikanth Pilla, associate professor, College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
Hugo Sanabria, associate professor, College of Science
Katherine Weisensee, chair, department of sociology anthropology and criminal justice, College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences
Tom Zagenczyk, professor, College of Business
Eric Lapin, director of artistic initiatives-Brooks Center, College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities
Abbie Abbott, director of healthcare information security, CCIT
Michelle Cato, director of talent and organizational development, Office of Human Resources
Elliott Charles, associate athletic director, compliance, Clemson Athletics
Jim Grieger, director of research safety, Research
Christopher Harrington, lieutenant, Clemson University Police Department
Julio Hernandez, chief of staff, Office of Inclusion and Equity
Lisa Knox, director of strategy and operations, Finance and Facilities
Blake Lanford, district extension director, College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences
Rock McCaskill, associate registrar, Registrar’s Office
Londan Means, director of advising, biological sciences, College of Science
Katie Miller, director of academic initiatives, Office of the Provost
Jessica Owens, assistant director of academic support services, Undergraduate school
Tara Romanella, strategic communications director, external affairs & development, University Relations
Sarah Wilbanks, plant industry program manager, Public Service and Agriculture -
2018 Cohort
Carla Bennett, director of academic finance, Office of Academic Affairs
Crystal Bennett, content integration specialist, Marketing and Creative Services, University Relations
Meg Bishop, program coordinator II, College of Business
Brian Callahan, Ph.D., associate director for field operations, Cooperative Extension
Bobby Clark, director of CCIT procurement, CCIT
Kelly Cloyd, senior director of development, Office of Development
Cynthia Deaton, Ph.D., associate professor – teaching and learning, College of Education
John DesJardins, Ph.D., associate professor – bioengineering, director of bioengineering abroad programs, College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
Tia Dumas, Ph.D., assistant dean, Graduate School
Talitha Ellington, executive assistant and partnership coordinator, CU-ICAR Partnership Office
Kristin Foster, centers and institute specialist, Office of Sponsored Programs
Lisa Gagnon, senior HR director, Office of Human Resources
Carlos Garcia, Ph.D., professor – chemistry, College of Science
Erin Goss, Ph.D., associate professor – British literature, College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities
Daniel Harding, associate professor, director of graduate architecture programs, director, community research and design center, School of Architecture
Kathy Hobgood, assistant vice president for student affairs, executive director of university housing and dining, Student Affairs
Natalie Honnen, associate athletic director, student-athlete services and performance, Athletic Department
Jermaine Johnson, Ph.D., assistant general counsel, Office of General Counsel
Rick Petillo, director of debt and capital financing, Finance and Operations
Jennifer Siemens, Ph.D., associate professor – marketing, College of Business
Joseph Thames, instructor and academic advisor, College of Science
Kristine Vernon, Ph.D., associate professor – 4-H youth development program team, Animal and Veterinary Sciences Department, College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences
Narendra Vyavahare, Ph.D., professor – bioengineering, Hunter Endowed Chair, College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
John Whitcomb, Ph.D., professor, director, undergraduate programs in nursing, College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences
Sarah Winslow, Ph.D., professor, director of National Scholars Program, College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences -
2017 Cohort
Beshah Ayalew, Ph.D. Professor of Automotive Engineering Graduate Program Coordinator College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
Todd Barnette Interim Chief Facilities Officer Office of Executive Vice President, Finances, Operations and Facilities
Jeffrey Brown Associate Dean of StudentsDivision of Student Affairs/Student Transitions and Family Programs
Julia Brumaghim, Ph.D. Professor of Chemistry College of Science
Beth Crocker Associate General Counsel Office of General Counsel
Barry Garst, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Youth Development LeadershipCollege of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences/Parks, Recreation And Tourism Management
Anne Grant Instruction Coordinator, Education Reference Librarian Cooper Library
Christine Green Executive Director of University Marketing University Relations
Patricia Guerra-Marcondes Research Associate, Food, Nutrition and Packaging Sciences College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences
Shanika HollandAudit ManagerOffice of Executive Vice President, Finances, Operations and Facilities
Tracy Kelly Administrative Coordinator College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences
Deon Legette District Extension DirectorClemson University Extension Service
Oliver Myers, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering College of Engineering, Computing And Applied Sciences
Jennifer Ogle, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Civil Engineering College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
Margaret OwenSenior Director of Development
Matthew Powers, Ph.D. Associate Professor and Director of Landscape ArchitectureCollege of Architecture, Arts and Humanities
Vladimir Reukov, Ph.D. Research Assistant Professor of Bioengineering College of Engineering, Computing And Applied Science
Joseph Ryan, Ph.D. Stanzione Distinguished Professor of Clemson Life College of Education
Kevin Stone Systems Architect CCIT
Kendra Stewart-Tillman, Ph.D. Director for Diversity and Inclusion Office of Inclusion and Equity, Gantt Multicultural Center
Mary Von Kaenel, Ph.D. Director, Bridge to Clemson and Transfer Programs Division of Undergraduate Studies
Kuang-Ching Wang, Ph.D.Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
Patrick Warren, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Economics College of Business
Sarah White, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Plant and Environmental Science College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences
Kyle Young, Ph.D. Associate Athletic Director of Administration Department of Athletics -
2016 Inaugural Cohort
Ann Marie Alexander Assistant Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, External Affairs
Sez Atamturktur, Ph.D. Provost’s Distinguished Professor, Assistant Vice President for Research Development College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
Michelle Cook, Ph.D. Interim Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs, Science Education College of Education
Mark Cothran Associate VP, Government Affairs
Latoya Daniels Human Resources Manager
Delphine Dean, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Bioengineering College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
Steve Duzan Associate Athletics Director of Academics and Student Athlete Development Athletics
Stephanie Evans Director, Student Services
Julia Frugoli, Ph.D. Alumni Distinguished Professor, Associate Chair, Genetics and Biochemistry College of Science
Leigh Haltiwanger, Ph.D. Interim Executive Director of Field and Clinical Partnerships and Outreach, Senior Lecturer, College of Education
Carl Hollingsworth, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Accounting College of Business
Winston Holton Field Coordinator, Call Me MISTER®
Peter L. Laurence, Ph.D. Associate Professor, School of Architecture College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities
Jessica Martin Director, Advising Center College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities
Jean McKendry, Ph.D. Coordinator of Grant Development and Interdisciplinary Collaborations
Julie K. Northcutt, Ph.D. Professor, Food, Nutrition and Packaging Sciences College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences Extension Program Team Leader, Food Safety and Nutrition Program Cooperative Extension Service
Kimberly Poole, Ph.D. Associate Dean of Students Division of Student Affairs
Uttiyo Raychaudhuri, Ph.D. Director, Study Abroad
La’Toya Ritter-Maddox, Ph.D. Fiscal Manager
Nathan Smith, Ph.D. Professor of Agribusiness Production, Extension Economist Cooperative Extension Service
Helen Diamond Steele, Ph.D. Director, Office of Student Enrichment College of Business
Rhonda Todd Administrative Coordinator, Office of Undergraduate Studies
Khoa Dang Truong Associate Professor, Public Health Sciences College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences
Marieke Van Puymbroeck, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management Recreational Therapy Coordinator College of Health, Education and Human Development
Andrew Wesolek Associate Librarian, Head of Digital Scholarship University Libraries
“Participating in PLI was a phenomenal experience. It opened my eyes to areas of the university I was unaware of, and I met amazing individuals who are now dear friends. PLI showed me how special our university is and laid the foundation for the next phase of my career.”
Johnell BrooksProfessorAutomotive Engineering
