SPA Instagram takeoverS

Over the next few weeks leading up to the CU-GARS Interview Weekend, some of the program's current graduate students will be doing "Instagram Takeovers" to talk about why they chose Clemson, adjusting to grad school, their assistantships, life at Clemson, and answer any of your questions - except those related to the status of your academic application or assistantship offers.

Be sure to follow the Clemson Student Personnel Association ("SPA") on Instagram and watch their Stories!* (@clem_spa or follow the link below) Check back for dates and times of future IG takeovers and to learn more about the current graduate students and what it is like to live, learn, and work at Clemson. We are excited to show you why we love Clemson and call these hills our home!

*If you can't watch live, look for the Stories highlight on SPA's Instagram page.

NOTE - all times listed are eastern

Link to SPA Instagram

Link to NEW SPA Website

Chi Sigma Alpha (student org)

Graduate Student Government (GSG)

Grad360 (professional dev.)

PRE-INTERVIEW WEEKEND

(keep scrolling for current student information and takeover dates!)

Meet connor-michael weir

Thursday, January 30

● Hometown: Metro-Detroit, Michigan

● Undergraduate Institution: Central Michigan University

● Assistantship Title: Graduate Community Director of Douthit East

● Bio: Connor-Michael is from Metro-Detroit, Michigan and graduated from Central Michigan University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in both Organizational Leadership and Business Psychology with a minor in Music (Percussion/Voice). He is a second-year Graduate Community Director overseeing Douthit East. The vast opportunities for field experiences drew Connor-Michael to the program and he values the numerous opportunities he has had to collaborate in different facets of student affairs to find his niche. Outside of class, you can find Connor-Michael teaching the internationally-competing drumline, Palmetto Indoor Theatre.

Meet Ashley Sanfacon

Friday, January 31

● Hometown: Richmond, Virginia

● Undergraduate Institution: Christopher Newport University

● Assistantship Title: Center for Career and Professional Development: Employer Relations and Events

● Bio: Ashley is from Richmond, Virginia and attended undergrad at Christopher Newport University. At CNU, she received her Bachelor of Arts in History and Leadership Studies. At Clemson, Ashley is a first-year grad and works at the Center for Career and Professional Development on the Employer Relations and Events team. Once Ashley arrived on campus for interview weekend, she knew this was the place for her. Being able to put theory to practice and having so many incredible opportunities to meet people from all over has really allowed Ashley to feel more prepared for the world of Student Affairs.

Meet true liles

Saturday, February 1

● Hometown: Darlington, South Carolina

● Undergraduate Institution: Clemson University

● Assistantship Title: GA For Interpersonal Violence Prevention

● Bio: True is a native of Darlington, South Carolina and attended Clemson for undergrad, majoring in Management! His assistantship is with Interpersonal Violence Prevention. In this role, he does all things related to prevention and education; This includes tabling on campus, speaking to faculty, staff, and student groups, hosting training sessions, collaborating with campus partners for DVAM & SAAM, and a host of other things. True loves all things Clemson and Taylor Swift!! He is also a member of Chi Sigma Alpha and is the Deputy Director of Activities and Outreach on GSG! True loves the program because of the way the professors really emphasize putting theory to practice, and all of the opportunities given. He has made lifelong connections with the students and faculty in this program and wouldn't change it for anything!

Meet Andrew seifert

Sunday, February 2

● Hometown: Broadview Heights, OH

● Undergraduate Institution: The College of Wooster

● Assistantship Title: Graduate Assistant for Fraternity Sorority Housing

● Bio: Andrew is from Broadview Heights, Ohio and attended The College of Wooster. At Wooster, he received a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Political Science and a minor in Education. Here at Clemson, Andrew is a second-year graduate student and works in Clemson Home as the Graduate Assistant for Fraternity Sorority Housing. Andrew chose Clemson because of the program's emphasis on hands-on learning, which is important when the body of knowledge you are learning about is also a field of employment. He also enjoys the social aspect of the cohort and how accessible and enjoyable the faculty are. In his spare time, Andrew enjoys golfing, playing XBOX, baking pizza, and shopping at Costco.

Meet alan elgin

Monday, February 3

● Hometown: Myrtle, MS

● Undergraduate Institution: University of Mississippi

● Assistantship Title: Graduate Assistant for Supplemental Instruction and Academic Support

● Bio: Alan is from Myrtle, Mississippi and attended the University of Mississippi. At the University of Mississippi, he received his Bachelors of Multidisciplinary Studies with minors in computer science, mathematics, and higher education. At Clemson, Alan is a second-year in the Student Affairs program and works in the Bridge to Clemson office as the Graduate Assistant for Supplemental Instruction and Academic Support. Alan chose Clemson because of the level of experience the program offers through the many practical experiences required throughout. He has really enjoyed learning more about different functional areas and being able to learn through his classmate's experiences!

Meet grace miller

Tuesday, February 4

● Hometown: Ridgeland, Mississippi

● Undergraduate Institution: Baylor University

● Assistantship Title: History Advisor & Graduate Assistant for College of Arts and Humanities

● Bio: Grace Miller is a current second-year graduate student and works with the College of Arts and Humanities, advising first- and second-year History students! She grew up in Ridgeland, Mississippi (just outside of Jackson) and attended Baylor University, where she received a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Classics! Her favorite part of the program is her assistantship and the people she gets to work with and learn from. Feel free to ask her about Student Affairs courses, being from out of state, faith in grad school, the best restaurants in Clemson, or Taylor Swift!

Meet Hali Sanders

Wednesday, February 5

● Hometown: Chesapeake, Virginia

● Undergraduate Institution: Old Dominion University

● Assistantship title: Graduate Assistant for Cooperative Education

● Bio: Hali is from Chesapeake, Virginia and attended Old Dominion University! At Old Dominion, she received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies. Here at Clemson, she is a second-year graduate student and works with the Cooperative Education Program. Hali has always been a Tiger fan and was ready to officially bleed orange and purple when she was searching for the perfect grad program for her! She also fell in love with the program, the people, and the campus when she came for her interview weekend. This program has provided her with fun memories, great game days, and lifelong friendships.

Meet Hailey Duarte

Thursday, February 6

● Hometown: East Hanover, New Jersey

● Undergraduate Institution: James Madison University

● Assistantship Title: Graduate Assistant for Advising and Student Development

● Bio: Hailey Duarte is from East Hanover, New Jersey and attended James Madison University. At JMU, she received a Bachelor’s of Science in Health Sciences. Hailey is a first year in the program and is the Graduate Assistant for Advising and Student Development in the Honors College. Hailey loves Clemson and can’t wait to talk more with everyone!

Meet Ethan Dent and Tyler Brown

Friday, February 7

● Hometowns: Ethan is from Easley South Carolina and Tyler is from Ottumwa, Iowa

● Undergraduate Institutions: Ethan: Clemson University Tyler: University of Iowa

● Assistantship Title: Both Graduate Assistants for Summer Start

● Bio: Ethan, from Easley,SC, and Tyler, from Ottumwa,IA, are both first-year graduate students working together with the Summer Start program. Ethan attended Clemson University for his undergrad where he earned a Bachelors of Science in Financial Management. Tyler before coming to Clemson attended the University of Iowa where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Education Studies and Human Relations. Tyler visited and immediately fell in love with the area and the assistantships available. Ethan, being born and raised in the upstate, knew there was no better place than Clemson to pursue his masters.This program has provided them both with amazing opportunities to grow as student affairs professionals, both inside and outside of the classroom. Tyler and Ethan both serve on the executive committee for the Student Personnel Association. Tyler as President and Ethan as VP of Administration. Tyler also serves as a senator for the graduate student government. They are super excited to meet everyone and can't wait to welcome everyone to the Clemson Family!

Meet Piper Carroll

Saturday, February 8

● Hometown: Clive, IA

● Undergraduate Institution: Iowa State University

● Assistantship Title: Graduate Academic Advisor for the Department of Management

● Bio: Piper is from Clive, Iowa, and attended Iowa State University to get her B.A in English with a minor in Leadership Studies. Her assistantship is with the Department of Management as an Academic Advisor, where she works with a caseload of 120 students. Piper was drawn to this program by the amazing faculty and the promise of lots of hiking and outdoor activities close by! Her favorite part of her experience here at Clemson is the people she is surrounded by-- they have made Clemson a home away from home for her!

Meet Marion Andrews

Sunday, February 9

● Hometown: Chattanooga TN

● Undergraduate Institution: University of Tennessee Knoxville

● Assistantship Title: Career Development Graduate Assistant

● Bio: Marion is a first year at Clemson! She did her undergraduate at UTK studying communications. Her assistantship is at the career center on the career development team. She works with students on their journey past Clemson to the career realm! When she is not in office, she likes reading, writing, crocheting and taking a good walk!

Meet Jake Czaplicki

Monday, February 10

● Hometown: Syracuse, NY

● Undergraduate Institution: SUNY Oswego

● Assistantship Title: Graduate Community Director, Lightsey Bridge II

● Bio: Jake is from Syracuse, NY and attended the State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego in Oswego, NY. He received a Bachelor's of Arts in Human Development and graduated in December 2023. Here at Clemson, Jake is a first-year graduate student and works with ClemsonHome as a Graduate Community Director, living in Lightsey Bridge II. Jake completed the Disney College Program before graduation and when he went home to complete his final semester, he realized he missed that warm weather! This program has been able to apply theory-to-practice opportunities along with new perspectives within the Division of Student Affairs. The environment at Clemson has been so welcoming and has made Jake feel like home away from home, connecting with faculty and other participants.

Meet Kiarra Vacek

Tuesday, February 11

● Hometown: Pasadena, Maryland

● Undergraduate Institution: James Madison University

● Assistantship Title: Graduate Community Director

● Bio:Hey Y'all!! I can't wait to meet you at CU-GARS! I am a first year grad student in the program, my assistantship is with Clemson Home as a Graduate Community Director! I also spend some time in Fraternity and Sorority Life here at Clemson! I attended James Madison University in Virginia for undergrad and got my B.A. in History with minors in Secondary Education and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences. I fell in love with student affairs in undergrad through my job with orientation! I love Clemson for its cohort method, how approachable & caring the professors are, the weather, and the genuine want the program has to see us grow & learn through practical application and at conferences! Go Tigers!! C U soon!!

Meet Alejandro Mejia-Tejada

Wednesday, February 12

● Hometown: Greenville, SC

● Undergraduate Institution: Clemson University

● Assistantship Title: Scholarship Programs at the Honors College

● Bio: Alejandro is from Greenville, SC and attended Clemson for undergrad, majoring in Mathematical Sciences and minoring in American Sign Language. Alejandro is a second-year in the program and works for the Clemson Honors College, specifically working for the Scholarship Programs. The program has provided a ton of great experiences for Alejandro, ranging from professional growth, growth in connections, and just overall a great insight into the world of Student Affairs. Alejandro is excited to graduate and hopes to remain in the area!

POST-INTERVIEW WEEKEND

After the CU-GARS Interview Weekend, we know you may still have questions or wonder if Clemson is the best place for the next steps in your personal, educational, and professional journey. We're here to help! In addition to the reflection resource you will receive during the interview weekend, check out the below ways to get in touch with us.

Questions about offers, assistantship roles, supervisors, or the accept/decline process? - contact the member of the Coordinating Committee who you spoke with over the phone or email us at cugars@g.clemson.edu

Questions about the academic program? - contact Dr. Michelle Boettcher or another member of the faculty

Questions about being a student at Clemson, living in the surrounding area, etc.? - check out the learning and touring Clemson webpage or contact your PAW Pal or any current students you may have met during CU-GARS!

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