The Leadership Signature Program travels to D.C. for inaugural Leadership Trek

The Leadership Signature Program (LSP) at the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business traveled to Washington, D.C. over spring break this year. LSP is an 11-credit program that spans over five flexible semesters and is organized as a student-led company to gain progressive leadership experience.

The group stayed four days in D.C., engaging with military and government leadership as well as industry professionals from several sectors, including financial, non-profit, technical, construction and defense. Several Powers College of Business representatives joined students on the trip, including Col. Keith Balts Ph.D. ’24, director of LSP, and Dean Wendy York.

Balts says that the trek was a great experience for students. “This inaugural Leadership Trek provided an amazing opportunity for our business students to see and hear how leadership rhymes and differs across diverse industry sectors and individual leaders, both emerging leaders and those in the C-Suite.”

Washington, D.C.

When the group first arrived in D.C. from Clemson on Sunday, LSP students were able to explore the nation’s capital, with many not having been to D.C. prior to this trip. They visited several places, including the National Air and Space Museum, two other Smithsonian museums, the National Archives, Arlington National Cemetery, the White House, the Washington Monument and other memorials and monuments on the Washington Mall.

Pentagon Visitor’s Center

Visits on Monday began at the Pentagon Visitor’s Center, where students were welcomed by Lt. Col. Melissa Greene ‘04 & Lt. Col. David Villar. The group then took a tour of the Pentagon, met with senior executives and had lunch with Clemson alumni leaders at all levels in the Department of Defense

They spoke about their leadership philosophies with students, sharing advice like knowing when to allow the people you’re leading to fall forward but also knowing the appropriate time to step in and provide guidance. The LSP group was also able to learn about different opportunities to serve in the military and government available to them after graduation.

Mount Vernon

Following the Pentagon visit, the LSP group went to Mount Vernon. Dean Norton ’77, the recently retired director of horticulture and livestock at Mount Vernon, met the group and gave a private background tour of the property. Students saw George Washington’s gristmill, distillery and tomb, as well as the rest of the property, on a tractor tour. Norton also shared with students his own journey from Clemson to Mount Vernon and insights into George Washington’s leadership legacy.

Army Navy Club

On Tuesday, LSP visited the Army Navy Club, where Ken Bowen ’86, president and CEO of Toth Financial Advisory Corporation, hosted a senior leader panel with Todd Pettibon, vice president of business strategy and portfolio manager and Stephanie Muskovac, portfolio manager. They spoke about their time as naval aviators and transitioning into the financial sector and shared about how they take on leadership in high-stakes environments.

Following Toth Financial Advisory Corporation, students met with General (Ret.) Jay Raymond ’84, the inaugural Chief of Space Operations for the United States Space Force. General Raymond passed on the importance of knowing how to adapt and pivot in his career. He shared with the LSP group the value of having a clear vision and understanding your leadership style in order to best lead others.

Students then spoke with Scott Harding ‘86, CEO of F.B. Harding, Inc. Harding explained his path from Clemson to taking over his family’s business and shared his perspective on work-life balance. He shared that a true work-life balance is hard to achieve, and often, it seemed more like a competition rather than an equal give and take. Harding also spoke about the value of resilience and hard work.

SAP

The final visit of the day was to the software company SAP Public Services Inc. for a senior leadership discussion with Dan Frick ‘00, vice president of SAP Department of Defense. Frick spoke with students about new and emerging technologies in national security, how SAP operates and some of the roles available within the company.

United Bank

The next day began with a visit to United Bank. The Talent Acquisitions team greeted the group and explained United Bank’s mission and values. United Bank then hosted an emerging leader’s panel consisting of people who had been at the company for less than five years. The panel talked about their professional leadership growth during their time at United Bank and how the company prioritizes creating a positive environment for employees. After the panel, students took on the role of leadership executives in a boardroom challenge exercise. They were tasked with a real-world business scenario and given background information to make strategic decision recommendations. Students then met with United Bank’s CEO, President and COO and learned how the company builds and prioritizes a positive culture for its employees.

U.S. Capitol tour and congressional discussions

The day continued with LSP students touring the Longworth House Office Building and met with Clete Boykin ’79, the University’s government affairs representative, who advocates for Clemson’s interests in DC. After lunch at the building’s café, they met with Yelberton Watkins, chief of staff for Congressman James Clyburn and then Joey Mott ’19, chief of staff for Congressman Ralph Norman, to learn about leading in the legislative branch of our nation’s government. Students were then given a behind-the-scenes Capitol tour led by Karen Schmidt, a staff member for Congressman Norman.

Capstone networking reception at The Livingston Group

The final event of LSP’s visit was a networking reception hosted by Allen Martin ’69 of The Livingston Group. Several leaders from earlier in the week attended the event to re-engage with the students as well as members of the Clemson Baltimore and DC Club, which also included junior alumni and board members.

Justin Wolfe, junior financial management and accounting major and student CEO of LSP, says the trip was an amazing experience for him. “As someone who aspires to lead teams in the future, this experience has given me a deeper, experience-based understanding of what strong leadership looks like—and I want to share that with those around me. Hearing from professionals in the military, private sector and financial services helped me realize that impactful leadership isn’t tied to one specific field, but rather to how you show up and empower others. It inspired me to continue exploring roles where I can lead with empathy, adaptability and vision.”

Samantha Rivero, sophomore marketing and management major and social media director of LSP, also said that D.C. was a great experience for her. “My favorite part about the trip was hearing from experienced leaders. It was equal parts interesting and inspiring to hear about their leadership journeys, and I learned a lot from each of them.”

Dean York and Col. Balts were incredibly grateful for all those who supported, planned and contributed to this amazing opportunity for the eight students involved. The program looks forward to returning next year to continue the connections between Clemson students and Washington DC leaders.

About the Leadership Signature Program

The Leadership Signature Program (LSP) at Clemson University offers an undergraduate Leadership Certificate for business students aiming to enhance their leadership skills. Approved by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education in November 2021, the credentialed certificate appears on academic transcripts. The 11-credit program includes 3 credits selected from a list of traditional leadership courses and 8 credits of hands-on leadership development through five progressive practicum courses. The practicums span five flexible semesters, with one-credit courses in the first two semesters and two credits in later semesters as students take on increased leadership roles.