CBSHS Alumni Spotlight: Psychology and communication alumna finds joy in giving back to her alma mater

Meet DeAnn Yates, a 1994 graduate of the Departments of Psychology and Communication.

DeAnn Yates knew she wanted to attend Clemson University from a young age. Growing up in Spartanburg, South Carolina, her roots were deep in Tiger country, and there was never any doubt in her mind as to whether she would someday attend the University.

In fact, when the time came to submit her college applications, Yates only applied to one – Clemson. And in the fall of 1990, she started a journey that would shape the rest of her life.

As a student, she declared a double major in psychology and communication with a plan to pursue her passion for human resources. She joined Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta) sorority where she served as pledge class president during her first year. Later, she served as both vice president and president for Clemson Panhellenic and was awarded Greek Woman of the Year during her senior year. She was a member of Blue Key Honor Society, Order of Omega Honor Society and Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Society.  

According to Yates, her time as a student at Clemson had a profound and lasting influence on her life. While her academic studies prepared her for a successful career in human resources and expanded her knowledge and perspective of the world, her extracurricular activities helped forge many of the lifelong relationships she treasures today. After all, she met her husband at her first home football game as a student.  

Working closely with the Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life as Panhellenic president, Yates said she was always inspired by the people whose gifts elevated the student experience for future generations. She was a student when the Hendrix family made a generous contribution to the University for a new student union – now known as the Hendrix Student Center. That level of generosity struck a chord with Yates and inspired her to get involved and give back as an alumna.

“I was awestruck by the notion that people held their alma mater in such high regard they would give of their time and resources years after graduation,” she said. “But now, as an alumna, I understand the desire, and I find immense joy in giving back to the place that changed my life.”

She feels deep gratitude for the University she called home for four years and hopes all students experience the same sense of belonging and connection during their time at Clemson.

“It is easy to support the University and College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences in their efforts to elevate the student experience when I know personally how that experience can positively impact a person’s life,” said Yates. “My desire is for every student to grow academically and personally and build lifelong connections during their time at the University and to carry the Clemson Family with them throughout their lives.”

Yates and her husband of 28 years, Kevin, a ’94 graduate of industrial engineering, have two children, Caroline and Jackson. Caroline ’21 graduated from Clemson with a degree in parks, recreation and tourism management and works for the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans where she started a tourism group for their sales division. Jackson lives in Mobile, Alabama.

In her words, Clemson is not just a place, it is a feeling – one that continues to bring her great joy year after year.

The Department of Psychology and the Department of Communication are in the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences (CBSHS). Established in July 2016, CBSHS is a 21st-century, land-grant college that combines work in seven disciplines – communication; nursing; parks, recreation and tourism management; political science; psychology; public health sciences; sociology, anthropology and criminal justice – to further its mission of “building people and communities” in South Carolina and beyond.