Office of the President

President’s Leadership Institute graduates its eighth cohort

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A man dressed in business suit stands with a mic in his hand addressing a seated audience.
President Jim Clements offers members of Clemson University’s eighth President’s Leadership Institute cohort a last address prior to their graduation celebration, May 2, 2024.
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The President’s Leadership Institute graduated its 2023 cohort in a ceremony at the Reeves Recruiting Lounge at Memorial Stadium on May 2, 2024.

The Institute, completing its eighth year, is a nine-month leadership development program designed to support and develop professional and personal leadership within a diverse and inclusive community of faculty and staff at Clemson University. Each cohort consists of 25 faculty and staff nominated by University leadership.

President Jim Clements addressed graduates and colleagues at the ceremony.

Balloon decorations mark the entryway of a graduation celebration.
A colorful table marks a festive graduation celebration.

“During the past year there were some exciting things that happened. There were babies born—a little one was adopted into the Clemson Family—some moved from across the country—some won major awards—and others were appointed to significant organizations,” he said. “This class had a lot of heart. And this class was special. You really demonstrated what it means to be part of the Clemson Family, to look out for each other and to take care of each other. I look forward to watching you continue to learn and grow as leaders throughout your careers at Clemson and anywhere else you might go.”

President Clements introduced special keynote speaker, 1986 Clemson alum, Tony Mathis. Mathis has been honored by Clemson’s Alumni Association with its highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, and in 2020, he was inducted into the Thomas Green Clemson Academy of Engineers and Scientists. While at Clemson, Mathis had been in the ROTC and later he served with distinction as an officer in the US Air Force. He is the former president and chief executive officer of military engines and Edison Works at General Electric, is chair of Clemson University’s Foundation Board and serves on the President’s Advisory Board.

A man dressed in business suit stands at a podium addressing a seated audience.
Luncheon keynote speaker, Tony Mathis ’86, addresses members of Clemson University’s eighth President’s Leadership Institute cohort during their graduation celebration, May 2, 2024.

“Coming to Clemson changed the trajectory of my career,” shared Mathis who majored in mechanical engineering as an undergraduate. From Clemson he spent time in the US Air Force testing planes like the F16.

Mathis shared his thoughts and principles with the PLI graduates, the first of which was “Be willing to do the work—do your homework and take the tough jobs.” To support his leading principle, he shared a story about the time he wasn’t interested in taking a particular promotion at General Electric to become a Master Black Belt in GE’s storied Six Sigma program Jack Welch had made famous. It wasn’t something he wanted to do. Mathis explained that by taking this hard job it made all his greater career progression and subsequent achievements possible, including his eventual ascension to the ranks of general manager, president and chief executive officer.


A professionally dressed man and woman stand together at a presentation ceremony smiling.
President Jim Clements and Monique Everroad, Director of Policy Initiatives, Office of University Compliance and Ethics
Two professionally dressed men stand together at a presentation ceremony smiling
President Jim Clements and Nathan McNeese, Founding Director, Clemson University Center for Human-AI Interaction, Collaboration, & Teaming; McQueen Quattlebaum Endowed Associate Professor of Human-Centered Computing

Josh Barnes, Director, Office of Institutional Excellence Strategy & Operations

Tessa Byer, University Ombuds

Kelly Caine, Professor, School of Computing, College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences

David Clayton, Assistant Vice President, OCPSI and Executive Director, CU-ICAR

Shamella Cromartie, Associate Dean, Organizational Performance and Inclusion, Clemson Libraries

Monique Everroad, Director of Policy Initiatives, Office of University Compliance and Ethics

Joe Galbraith, Associate Vice President, Strategic Communications for Marketing and Communications

Corrine Grant, Director of Alumni Relations and Development, Division of Inclusive Excellence

Kristen Lawson, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Finance and Operations

Dan Lewis, Director of Digital Accessibility, CCIT

Renée Lyons, Director, Science Outreach Center

Michael McManus, District Extension Director, Pee Dee

Nathan McNeese, Founding Director, Clemson University Center for Human-AI Interaction, Collaboration, & Teaming; McQueen Quattlebaum Endowed Associate Professor of Human-Centered Computing

Michael Neault, Director of Livestock Poultry Health and State Veterinarian

Brandy Page, Executive Director of Development, Parent Philanthropy, Student Affairs and University Wide Initiatives

Lior Rennert, Associate Professor, Department of Public Health Sciences and Director, Clemson Center for Public Health Modeling and Response

Donna Robertson, Senior Director of Institutional Excellence, Strategic Execution

Kaifa Roland, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Director of Global Black Studies

Amanda Rumsey, Associate Professor, Department of Education and Human Development, College of Education

José Sagarnaga, Clinical Assistant Professor and General Management Area Coordinator, Department of Management, Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business

Jasmine Townsend, Associate Professor and Fellow, Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute and PRTM and Director, Clemson Adaptive Sports and Recreation

Erica Walters, Program Director, ClemsonLIFE

Danny Weathers, Professor, Department of Marketing, Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business

Daniel Whitehead, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry

Kevin White, Deputy Director of Athletics