Brown honored as Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate

Clemson University staff member DeOnte Brown has been recognized for his efforts by the National Resource Center and Cengage. Brown was one of only 10 individuals nationally to be named an Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate. He was honored Feb. 21-24 at the 39th annual conference on The First-Year Experience in Washington, D.C. Brown and the other honorees will also appear in The Chronicle of Higher Education, a prominent national publication.

“On behalf of the Division of Student Affairs, I want to congratulate DeOnte on this well-deserved recognition,” said Chris Miller, interim vice president and dean of students. “This honor is a testament to his outstanding contributions in the field of student affairs, the superb quality of his work and his commitment to the experience of our first-year students. He has been such an asset to the growth and continued success of Clemson University and Student Affairs.”

Brown has served as interim associate dean of students and director of Student Transitions and Family Programs over the past year. He has been responsible for coordinating new student retention programs and has also played a big part in transitioning thousands of students and their families to Clemson through the New Student Orientation process. Also this year, Brown led an initiative to create the Clemson Parent and Family Experience, an online portal featuring customized news and communication for families.

Brown has also been an integral part of organizing the division’s efforts in terms of diversity and inclusion. Moving forward, he will be transitioning into a new role by leading a unit with a focused vision of inclusive excellence and student achievement.