The Clemson Chair Academy recently celebrated the graduation of its second New Chair Onboarding cohort with an event on May 1 at the Clyde V. Madren Center.
Twenty department chairs completed the nine-month, cohort-based program designed to support faculty as they transition into one of the University’s most complex leadership roles. Department chairs are responsible not only for overseeing academic operations and implementing policy, but also for supporting faculty and students, stewarding culture, navigating conflict and advancing the teaching, research and service mission of their units.
Founded in 2024 through a partnership among the Office of the President, Office of the Provost, academic deans and collaborators across the University, the Clemson Chair Academy brings together subject-matter experts, experienced academic leaders and University administrators to support leadership development across career stages. Associate Vice President for Strategic Alliances Tia Dumas has led the initiative since its inception.
“Department chairs are responsible not only for managing operations and implementing policy, but also for leading people, shaping culture and guiding departments through complexity and change,” said Dumas. “The Clemson Chair Academy was created to help academic leaders grow into those responsibilities with greater confidence, perspective and support while building a collaborative community of leaders across the University.”
“The continued growth of the Clemson Chair Academy reflects Clemson’s commitment to investing in strong academic leadership,” said Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost J. Cole Smith. “Department chairs play a critical role in shaping faculty success, student experience and the future of the University, and this program helps prepare leaders to navigate those responsibilities thoughtfully and effectively.”
Developing and supporting Clemson’s academic leaders
New Chair Onboarding participants met monthly to explore the complexities of academic leadership at Clemson, including institutional culture, organizational systems, faculty leadership and strategies for guiding departments through change and growth.
Sessions incorporated mentoring circles, success coaches and interactive discussions led by experienced academic leaders, subject-matter experts and University professionals from across Clemson. The collaborative format created opportunities for participants to build relationships, exchange ideas and learn from colleagues across disciplines and divisions.
“This New Chair Onboarding process really helped me understand the university, the larger picture of the university and how each department fits in, and how we can better work within the university system to achieve the goals of Clemson Elevate.”
Robert Prucka, chair of the Department of Automotive Engineering
Katy Weisensee, chair of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice, has served as a success coach for the Clemson Chair Academy for the past two years.
“When I became a department chair over seven years ago, there wasn’t really any kind of formal mentoring or leadership training,” said Weisensee. “You learned as you went. It’s been incredibly rewarding to help create a more intentional experience for new chairs so they can step into these roles feeling prepared, supported and connected.”
The Clemson Chair Academy is structured as a four-stage leadership development progression model designed to support academic leaders across career stages. Stage 1, Stewardship Fundamentals, launched in Fall 2024 through the New Chair Onboarding program for new and emerging chairs. This fall, the Academy will launch Stage 2, Institutional Insight, for all chairs and academic leaders with four distinct leadership development series focused on communication, well-being, team effectiveness and data-informed leadership. Stages 3 and 4 are currently in development.
Clemson Chair Academy 2025–2026 New Chair Onboarding cohort
- Julia Brumaghim, associate chair of the Department of Chemistry, College of Science
- Carol Doran, assistant chair in the John E. Walker Department of Economics, Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business
- 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 and 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
- 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, 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
- 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, chair of the Department of Chemistry, College of Science
