Now in its sixth year, CU Grow, Clemson’s staff development program, is welcoming a new cohort of participants ready for professional growth, collaboration and impact.
This year, 10 staff members from across University departments and divisions will make up the cohort. They will spend the next several months engaged in more than 150 hours of experiential learning, workshops, skill development and volunteer service. The program concludes with completion of an innovative capstone project aimed at solving real challenges and enhancing operations within their units or across the University.
“CU Grow is designed to help staff translate learning into action by bringing together employees from across the University to learn, collaborate, and solve real challenges,” said Kristen Finley, CU Grow program lead. “In doing so, the program creates space for participants to grow as leaders while strengthening the systems and communities they support every day.”
More than one hundred Clemson staff members have experienced growth and advancement through the program.
New Continuous Improvement Certification
This year, CU Grow has added a new continuous improvement certification pathway in partnership with Clemson’s Office of Institutional Excellence. Participants may choose to pursue a Lean Six Sigma White or Purple Belt certification as part of the program.
“We’re excited to partner with CU Grow to bring this new continuous improvement certification to staff across the University,” said Jason Ridgeway, transformation and training manager in the Office of Institutional Excellence. “By embedding proven improvement tools into the program, we’re helping participants build practical problem‑solving skills they can carry back to their teams, strengthening processes and enhancing collaboration.”
CU Grow participants now have two certification options. The program already partners with the Rutland Institute for Ethics to offer an Ethics Scholar certification.
2026 Cohort Members
Tanisha Alexander, Senior Program Coordinator – Experiential Education
Toni Becker, Graduate Student Services Manager – Forestry and Environmental Conservation
Erin DeCuir, Assistance Director of Major Fellowships – Office of Major Fellowships
Monique Harmon, Associate Director of Equity and Title IX Coordinator – Division of Civil and Individual Rights
Aarti Malhorta, Program Operations Coordinator – Academic Success Center
Ashley Persson, Assistant Director of Student-Athlete Development – Athletics
Julie Pickett, Executive Assistant and Office Manager – Office of the Provost
Kevin Richardson, Vice President of Content – Clemson Ventures
Johnsie Stancil, Honors Advisor and Registration Coordinator – Honors College
Twana Wright, Communications and Records Manager – Clemson University Police Department
