The Clemson Chair Academy, a customized leadership development program that strengthens awareness, skills and institutional understanding while fostering well-being and connection for department chairs at all career stages, announced New Chair Onboarding cohort members for the 2025-26 academic year.
New Chair Onboarding (NCO) is a nine-month, cohort-based intensive program designed to support faculty as they transition into their roles as academic leaders at Clemson. Each monthly session focuses on foundational elements of leading a department at Clemson, University values and history, mission-critical systems and processes and practical advice that can assist both individuals and programs as they plan and prepare for the demands of the moment.
Leadership isn’t defined by a title — it’s demonstrated through action. Our new department chairs are embracing this responsibility to shape Clemson’s future, and I look forward to watching their growth and impact throughout the academic year,” said Clemson University President Jim Clements.
At the kick-off meeting this month, President Clements, Provost Jones, Clemson University Historian Otis Pickett and a New Chair Onboarding alumni panel – featuring Kyle Barrett, interim chair of the Deptartment of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Wiley Jenkins, chair of the Department of Public Health Sciences and Melissa Smith, associate dean for the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences – addressed the benefits of leadership development while weaving in elements that make working at Clemson a truly unique and special experience.
This initiative is a key step in Clemson’s commitment to leadership development while fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for our academic leaders.”
Clemson University Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Robert H. Jones.
The Clemson Chair Academy was founded in 2024 in partnership between the President’s Office, the Office of the Provost, academic deans and various collaborators across the University. It is led by Associate Vice President for Strategic Alliances Tia Dumas.
The NCO curriculum follows the academic calendar and aligns core academic operations and activities with institutional priorities. Experts and proven university leaders facilitate highly interactive sessions to help new and emerging chairs hone their leadership skills and styles.
Clemson Chair Academy 2025-2026 New Chair Onboarding cohort
Julia Brumaghim, associate chair of the Department of Chemistry, College of Science
Amanda Cooper Fine, assistant chair of the Department of Marketing, Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business
Faiza Jamil, assistant chair of the Department of Education and Human Development, College of Education
Alex Feltus, associate chair of the Department of Genetics & Biochemistry, College of Science
Jonathan Fogle, acting department chair of the Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine
Ramesh Jeganathan, chair of the Department of Food, Nutrition and Packaging Sciences, College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences
Tomas Leathem, chair of the Nieri Department of Construction and Real Estate Development, College of Architecture, Art and Construction
Alexander Leonessa, chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
Brandon Lockhart, acting chair of the Department of Finance, Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business
Lisa Melonçon, founding chair of the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, College of Arts and Humanities
Chris McMahan, associate director for graduate studies in the Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, College of Science
Noelle Paufler, assistant chair in the Department of Educational and Organizational Leadership Development, College of Education
Svetlana Poznanovikj, associate director for undergraduate studies in the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, College of Science
Robert Prucka, interim chair of the Department of Automotive Engineering, College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
Hugo Sanabria, associate chair in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science
Mindy Spearman, coordinator of elementary education in the Department of Teaching & Learning, College of Education
Carol Sweeney, assistant chair in the John E. Walker Department of Economics, Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business
Robert Tamura, interim chair of the John E. Walker Department of Economics, Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business
Lesly Temesvari, associate chair of the Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science
Matt Turnbull, associate chair for undergraduate excellence in the Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science
Daniel Whitehead, associate chair of the Department of Chemistry, College of Science