College of Science; Graduate School

Meet the College of Science’s new Director of Alumni Relations

Share:

The Clemson University College of Science has named Ashtin Lizanich as its inaugural director of alumni relations.

Lizanich comes to the College of Science from Presbyterian College where she most recently served as Director of Alumni Relations. Prior to that, she was the school’s director of advancement, college and presidential events.

She graduated from Presbyterian in 2015, where she was a student-athlete in volleyball while earning her bachelor’s degree in business administration/management. 

We caught up with Lizanich and asked her about her job, Clemson and her life outside work.

Q: Tell the College of Science community a little about yourself.

A: I am originally from the Midwest and was born and raised in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. I received a full scholarship to play volleyball for Presbyterian College, which is how I found myself in South Carolina, and I am a first-generation college graduate. I married my best friend and college sweetheart, Jay, and we have a daughter, Cora, and a puppy named Dude. I like to travel, love spending time with my family, prefer the mountains over the beach, and enjoy a good board game night!  

Q: What attracted you to work in the field of alumni relations?

A: Building relationships and investing in people have always been two aspects of life that I have thoroughly enjoyed and considered some of my strengths. I love the work and find it incredibly valuable to an institution because an alumni base truly is your biggest asset. They help by recruiting the best and the brightest potential students; supporting strategic initiatives with their time, talent and treasure; promoting the institution within their social circles and spreading the good news about the University. I find this work in alumni relations incredibly rewarding, and I have a passion for connecting alumni back to their alma mater. 

Q: Why did you decide to come to Clemson?

A: Clemson University has been on my radar for a while, and I was just waiting for the right fit. When I was researching Clemson University and the College of Science, I read the tagline ‘It’s a great time to be at Clemson!’ all over the place, and I very much felt pulled in this direction. Quite honestly, it just felt right. Clemson University is an incredibly exciting place to be right now. We have a lot of impactful and impressive initiatives, and I am thrilled that I can do good work and help this institution continue to thrive. 

Q: What are you most looking forward to in your new role?

A:  I look forward to meeting the Clemson Family and hearing their stories about their favorite professors, buildings and memories on campus. I want to help them remember their time at Clemson and make sure they understand the impact they have on the current students who have filled their shoes, no matter how many years later. Not only that, but I am excited to learn and expand my knowledge under Dean Young’s leadership and continue to grow professionally and personally.

Q:  Relationship building is a key component of your job. How do you go about doing that?

A: I am conducting a listening tour to absorb all the history and traditions that make up Clemson University and all the laughs and memories surrounding our College of Science alumni’s time here on campus. To succeed in this role, I need to ‘live’ through their stories. I want to ask questions about their favorite professors, where they met their spouse, their best memory to reflect on and why, and why they want their child to be a legacy student. For them to feel connected to their alma mater, they need to feel heard from and appreciated by us!

Q: Where would we find you on the weekend and what would you be doing?

A: It would absolutely be at home in some comfy clothes watching a movie with my family or having people over to watch the football game or whichever sporting event is on that day. 

College of Science alumni may connect with Ashtin at alizani@clemson.edu.

Want to Discuss?

Get in touch and we will connect you with the author or another expert.

Or email us at news@clemson.edu

    This form is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.