063-Annual-Report-2023-v13 Final pages - Flipbook - Page 2
LETTER FROM THE DEAN
As I reflect on the past 12 months, two words come to mind: growth and
impact. On nearly every measure, we’re seeing unprecedented growth –
whether in applications, enrollment, funded research, faculty, donors or
graduates – we’re setting records. The same is true of our impact.
We celebrated our first graduating class of teaching fellows and largest
graduating class of teacher residents in May. Our teacher residency program is
proving immensely effective as evidenced by 98% of our residency graduates
being employed as teachers upon graduation, with a 97% retention rate
after three years. We have expanded this innovative bachelor’s-to-master’s
degree program to the Pee Dee region of the state, increasing our impact and
delivering on our land-grant promise.
Our Call Me MiSTER® program is approaching its 25th anniversary with plans
to expand already record enrollment. This program boasts a retention rate of 99% in the field of education and
nearly 1-in-5 of the program’s South Carolina graduates have been named district teachers of the year. Our
Expressway to Tiger Town program also continues to thrive, providing students the opportunity to begin their
collegiate careers at local technical colleges while still attending high school, decreasing the expense and time
to a Clemson education degree. At a time when other colleges of education in South Carolina have seen an
average 23% decrease in enrollment over the last 10 years, we have experienced a 57% increase, the only public
university to post an increase in enrollment, a testament to our innovative programs and award-winning faculty.
Our ClemsonLIFETM program continues to be a national model for serving students with intellectual disabilities.
The program graduated a record number of students in the spring and a full 97% of our graduates are employed
and two thirds live independently – defying national averages of 14-34% and 16%, respectively. In addition to the
program’s two-year hospitality certificate, we are creating post-graduate employment and living opportunities for
alumni in the Upstate through our new ClemsonLIFE Alumni Coaching for Employment Success (ACES) program.
Our research growth over the past five years has been staggering, with an 80% increase in submissions and
a 113% increase in awards. Our faculty are at the forefront of cutting-edge research, and that translates into
graduate education programs that earn national acclaim. U.S. News & World Report again named our online
program in teaching and learning the best in the nation this year, a title we have proudly held for six of the last
seven years.
We are excited to welcome our inaugural dean’s fellows in rural education, Darris Means and Kristen Cuthrell,
to the College. They will expand our rural education initiative, leading interdisciplinary, multi-agency teams to
expand access to high-quality educational opportunities and services that support rural youth, families and
communities, while building on the “community cultural wealth” in these settings.
Our growth and impact are undeniable, and we have much to look forward to. When we say, “we’re just getting
started,” we truly mean it. There are so many exciting initiatives underway in our College; I’m eager to see them
come to fruition.
We know our work is profoundly important; education contributes to the health and vitality of our economy, the
inclusiveness of our society, the well-being of our citizens and the strength of our democracy. Because these
outcomes matter to you, we invite you to join our community as a student, colleague, partner or supporter.
Together, we can achieve even more!
Kristin M. Gehsmann
Dean and Professor
