Stephens to serve as staff senator for the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences

Connor Stephens, a project manager for the Institute for Engaged Aging in the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences (CBSHS), has been elected staff senator for the College. He will serve a three-year term alongside Donna Jervis, administrative coordinator in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice.

Stephens is a 2021 graduate of the Clemson University Department of Psychology and has been employed at the University since 2024.

As both a graduate and employee of CBSHS, Stephens said he appreciates how his role as staff senator will support staff members individually and collectively as they advance the College’s mission to build people and communities.

“I am honored to serve as a voice for CBSHS staff members and continue the important work of current and former staff senators by building relationships, addressing concerns and fostering a sense of community for staff across the College,” said Stephens. “Dean Hossfeld and Donna are incredibly knowledgeable and supportive of staff relations, and I look forward to supporting the goals and experiences of CBSHS staff together.”

As an undergraduate student at Clemson, Stephens majored in psychology and minored in human resources management and Spanish studies. He said his training in psychology and human resources management provides a unique perspective that will inform his service as staff senator.

“My undergraduate training sparked a passion for supporting employees in their roles and advocating for healthy work environments,” said Stephens, “and there is no better place to do so than in CBSHS and Staff Senate.”

Stephens is taking over the role of staff senator for Wendi Mattson, administrative coordinator in the CBSHS associate deans’ office, whose term ended this year.

Leslie Hossfeld, dean of the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences, said CBSHS staff are essential to advancing the College’s mission and achieving the goals of Clemson Elevate.

“CBSHS staff are an integral part of the College’s commitment to excellence in research, teaching and service, and I am delighted for Connor to join our efforts to support them in their work,” said Hossfeld. “Wendi and Donna achieved great success by fostering growth and development opportunities and prioritizing the well-being of our staff, and I am confident we will continue this forward momentum with Connor and Donna as staff leaders for our College.”

The College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences (CBSHS) was established in July 2016. CBSHS is a 21st-century, land-grant college that combines work in nine disciplines – communication; nursing; parks, recreation and tourism management; political science; psychology; public health sciences; sociology, anthropology and criminal justice – to further its mission of “building people and communities” in South Carolina and beyond.