On Feb. 7-9, Clemson is sending five accomplished students to represent the University at the annual ACC Leadership Symposium. This group, along with undergraduate delegates from 17 other universities, is headed to Florida State University in Tallahassee for a weekend of leadership training, professional development workshops and networking opportunities. This year’s theme is “Accelerating Community Change,” with a focus on how student leaders can facilitate positive change in their communities.
Luther Bells
- Sophomore
- Wildlife and Fisheries Biology with a Spanish Studies minor
- Bishopville, South Carolina
- Thomas F. Chapman Scholar
- Clemson Gospel Choir
- Mentor for the CONNECTIONS Living-Learning Community (LLC)
- Vice President of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences
- Peer Dialogue Facilitator in the Gantt Multicultural Center
- Welcome Week leader
- Served on Freshman Council in Undergraduate Student Government
Bells was drawn to the symposium due to a strong presence of leadership in his upbringing and a desire to raise awareness about his major. “It was very important for me to apply and change the perception of what a College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences (CAFLS) leader looks like. We are scientists, we are presidents, we are directors — we are everything that every other major can be.” He is excited to collaborate with other institutions and hear different perspectives on shared issues.
After his graduation in May 2027, Bells plans to enter the field of conservation and travel abroad to conduct environmental research and outreach.
Darien Bowman
- Senior
- Sociology with a Youth Development Studies minor
- Columbus, Georgia
- Orientation Ambassador in Summer 2023
- Communications Chair for NAACP
- Vice President and Historian for Sigma Gamma Rho
- Leadership Consultant and Public Relations Chair in Center for Student Leadership and Engagement (CSLE)
- Mentor in the CONNECTIONS LLC
- Marketing chair for the Women in Leadership Conference
Bowman’s decision to take this opportunity reflects a culmination of growth throughout her time at Clemson. “When I first came here, I wasn’t someone who was very ambitious and went after a lot of roles. I’ve grown every year in how I approach situations like these,” she says. Bowman looks forward to continuing to grow, gaining new knowledge, and being a part of creative, positive solutions in her community.
Bowman is graduating in May 2025 and plans to attend graduate school for marketing. She hopes to work in graphic design for a major company; her ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between corporate and consumer by emphasizing personability over profit.
Sophia Brubaker
- Junior
- Marketing, Communication (double major)
- Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
- Member of the Clemson University Honors College
- Intern with Clemson Athletics Creative Solutions
- Member of Kappa Kappa Gamma
- Member of Campus Outreach and Reformed University Fellowship International
Brubaker views leadership as “a way to identify gaps, use my voice and hear the voice of others, and create opportunities wherever I go,” and this conference offers the perfect chance to do so. “I believe having a growth mindset is important, and I am excited to expand my mindset and meet people from all over,” she says.
Brubaker graduates in May 2026, after which she plans to work in creative media — journalism, communication or marketing — within the golf industry.
Alexandra Rubio-Figueroa
- Sophomore
- Financial Management with a Legal Studies minor
- Lexington, South Carolina
- Vice President of Alumni Relations for Minority Business Student Association (MBSA)
- Secretary for the FIRST Generation Success Program
- Member of the Clemson Career Workshop
- Mentor for the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business
When asked what drew her to the symposium and excites her about this opportunity, Rubio-Figueroa replies, “As a first-generation Latina, I want to be a representation for everybody — especially incoming students — so they can see that everything is possible. I look forward to making more friends, and also hearing other people’s stories and understanding where they are coming from.”
After graduating in May 2026, Rubio-Figueroa plans to attend law school and pursue immigration law. She is also interested in exploring work in the law enforcement industry.
Olivia Spencer
- Junior
- Civil Engineering with a Sustainability minor
- Greenville, South Carolina
- Program Director of Clemson Engineers for Developing Communities (CEDC)
- Residential Community Mentor (RCM) in Gressette Hall
- DJ at WSBF-FM Clemson
- Site Leader for a number of service trips with CSLE
The theme of this year’s symposium piqued Spencer’s interest. “I’m really fascinated by the way we can develop communities — with Clemson being a land-grant institution, I think it is really integral to how we affect the state and nation, so I wanted to see how other universities play into that.” She is looking forward to seeing FSU’s mission and exploring how they plan to build change in communities.
After she finishes undergrad in December 2026, Spencer intends to join the Peace Corps, then earn a graduate degree in humanitarian engineering. She hopes to teach this subject to students, as well as lead service-learning trips.