Student Affairs Leadership Team

Doug Hallenbeck, Ph.D. — Vice President for Student Affairs

Doug Hallenbeck is in his first year as Vice President for Student Affairs at Clemson University. Hallenbeck returns to Clemson after serving as Vice President for Student Affairs at Oklahoma State University from 2019-24.

Doug Hallenbeck's Full Bio

George Smith, Ph.D. — Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs

George Smith serves as senior associate vice president within the Division of Student Affairs and holds administrative oversight of the Office of Community and Ethical Standards, Student Engagement, Housing and Residence Life, Student Health Services and Campus Recreation. He holds division-level authority and is an advisor to the vice president providing portfolio leadership and institutional acumen.

George Smith's Full Bio

Kimberly Poole, Ph.D. — Assistant Vice President and Senior Associate Dean of Students

Kimberly Poole serves as assistant vice president and senior associate dean of students within Clemson University’s Division of Student Affairs. She serves as designee for the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students — engaging closely with students and families — in his absence. In her expanded role, she has supervisory responsibility over Advocacy and Success, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Interpersonal Violence Response and Military and Veteran Engagement.

Kimberly Poole's Full Bio

Kryssa Cooper — Special Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs

Kryssa Cooper serves as special assistant to the vice president and assistant vice president for Student Affairs. In her current role, Cooper oversees division-level initiatives, internal processes, communication and commercial sponsorship. She also has responsibility for large-scale division-wide events and serves as a liaison to key stakeholders, including the Board of Trustees Student Affairs Committee, Board of Visitors Student Success Committee and Clemson Family Ambassador Board. Cooper serves at a division level, supporting special projects from the Vice President's Office office in support of Clemson Elevate. Cooper was a member of the President’s Leadership Institute (PLI) cohort in 2021.

Kryssa Cooper's Full Bio

Lisa Bona — Chief Business Operations Officer

Lisa Bona serves as chief business operations officer for the Division of Student Affairs. She returned to Student Affairs in April 2017 after spending three and a half years as associate director of student financial services and EmoryCard Services at Emory University in Atlanta. In her current role, she oversees all business operations, budgets, financial and personnel activities for the division. She also provides leadership and oversight of all financial planning within Student Affairs to support effective strategic decisions, operational excellence and resource alignment.

Lisa Bona's Full Bio

Pam Davis — Interim Asst. Vice President for Student Engagement

Pam Davis serves as the interim assistant vice president for student engagement for the Division of Student Affairs. In this interim role, she will provide transitional direction and supervision for departments: Campus Reservations and Events, and the Center for Student Leadership and Engagement. She also works directly with the Office of Institutional Excellence to align Student Affairs strategic and operational plans, assessment, enterprise risk management, business continuity and continuous improvement projects to Clemson Elevate — the University’s strategic plan. As a key member of the Excellence Lead Community of Practice, Davis influences University-wide continuous improvement opportunities and sharing of best practices.

Pam Davis' Full Bio

Leasa Evinger, Ph.D. — Interim Assistant Vice President for Housing and Residence Life

Leasa Evinger serves as interim assistant vice president for housing and residence life. She was appointed to the position in September 2023 after a structural realignment that returned Residential Living and Residential Learning to Student Affairs. In her capacity, she is a member of the Student Affairs Leadership Team.

Leasa Evinger's Full Bio

Lesslie Pekarek, M.D., FAAFP — Assistant Vice President for Student Health and Wellness Services

Lesslie Pekarek serves as assistant vice president for student health and wellness services. As a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, she utilizes her expertise and passion to serve our students. In her role, she oversees our Redfern Health Center, Counseling and Psychological Services, and Healthy Campus. She continues to also serve as executive director of Student Health Services, Clemson University’s comprehensive outpatient healthcare organization.

Lesslie Pekarek's Full Bio