Organizational shifts create strategic alignment for key student initiatives

October 15, 2024

In support of the Clemson Elevate goal of delivering the No. 1 Student Experience, three organizational shifts will go into effect for Fall 2024 to strategically align key programs and services.

Summer Enrollment

Chris Confer, Ed.D., director of academic transitions and engagement in the Division of Undergraduate Learning, will lead efforts to strengthen and develop the summer term at Clemson.

Previously, Confer's portfolio included the supervision of Summer Start and the development of the new STEM Start program. In the new alignment, Confer will work closely with Enrollment Management and other units across campus to develop additional pathways for students to start their Clemson journey through the Summer II semester; provide opportunities for both new and continuing students to advance their degree progress in creative ways over the summer; and promote advising, academic success, experiential learning and student's sense of belonging over the summer term.
Additionally, Confer will partner with Director for CECAS Graduate Recruitment & Inclusive Excellence Tonyia Stewart in the development of further research and experiential learning opportunities over the summer term. Traditionally, these opportunities focus on returning students working on research, as well as helping them to continue their academic progress and advancing the University's research agenda.
Kate Lombard, M.Ed, has been promoted to the director of Summer Start and, moving forward, will direct both Summer and STEM Start. The team will continue to work with partners across camps to transition the summer term into a full-service term for students entering Clemson.

FIRST Program

Another change in alignment positively affects the FIRST Generation Student Success Program, which helps ensure success for students who are the first in their family to attend college. The program is being moved under the Center for Student Leadership and Engagement (CSLE) in the Division of Student Affairs.
CSLE creates a unique Clemson experience that prepares every student to be a leader in their profession and community. Its mission is to help students begin their Clemson experience successfully, to belong and connect to campus and to develop leadership skills.
This move leverages the Center's strong framework for student involvement and success and existing strategic partnerships and experiences, thus supporting the holistic development and success of Clemson's first-generation students.
Laetitia Adelson, M.Ed, serves as the director of FIRST.

New Student Orientation

Enrollment Management will assume leadership responsibility for New Student Orientation, both online and in-person components.
In the spring of 2020 and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the previously in-person Orientation experience transitioned to 100 percent virtual delivery. Since then, Enrollment Management and Student Affairs have maintained a partnership in managing the orientation process. By shifting the leadership to Enrollment Management, Orientation is well-positioned to serve as both the final step of the recruitment experience and initial step of the enrollment process, allowing students and families to experience a seamless transition to Clemson.
In partnership with many units across campus, including Student Affairs, Enrollment Management will lead efforts to strategically design an orientation experience for today's new undergraduate students in a post-pandemic environment. An Orientation Advisory Committee with broad representation across campus will be formed.
As part of this shift, Jodi Cox has been promoted to director of visits, events and orientation and will serve on the Enrollment Management leadership team. With more than 20 years of experience in managing orientations and large-scale student programming, Cox will provide strategic leadership for New Student Orientation, in addition to the Visitors Center and recruitment events. Cox's team will expand to include Matthew Boudreaux, associate director of student transitions, as well as a new assistant director position to be filled.
The Center for Student Leadership and Engagement will maintain responsibility for Welcome Week and Family Programs and will continue to be a key partner in shaping the future direction of New Student Orientation at Clemson.