Tiger Leadership Academy (TLA) is a two-year, multi-sport program designed to refine the student-athletes’ leadership abilities to gain skills and perspective to enhance team culture, promote high performance, and prepare them to successfully lead in any phase of life.

Student-Athlete Testimonials

“Tiger Leadership Academy has been instrumental in my leadership skills development. Not only have I learned how to be a great leader on the field but also off the field. Every person responds to a different leadership style, and TLA has taught me how to adapt to others’ needs. I am grateful for the opportunity I had at TLA.” 

– Paris Masaracchia, Women’s Lacrosse

Student-athletes have many opportunities to build professional skills and network with over 200 industry professionals. We connect student-athletes to internships, job shadowing experiences, full-time jobs, and offer individual career advising to each student-athlete.

Curriculum Per Year

Freshman

• Core Values Workshop

Sophomore

• Etiquette Dinner and Fashion Show
• Elevator Pitch Competition

Junior

• Tiger Networking Social
• Mock Interview Event

Senior

• Tiger Pro Night

UPIC Beyond The Game is a semester-long paid internship program that is a partnership with Clemson University’s UPIC office and Clemson Student-Athlete Development to place student-athletes in internships across campus. There are 30 paid internships offered each semester totaling $2,240 earned by each student-athlete, and over $200,000 earned annually.

Student-Athlete Testimonials

“I’d highly recommend UPIC to those who have the chance to experience it as I felt that my time as an intern was full of learning new tools and developing new skills I could take with me into the real world. From collaboration to learning how to achieve tasks on your own, the skills I learned made me go out of my comfort zone and I was very appreciative of that. I feel as though I can walk into a professional setting and not feel timid or out of place after doing both my internships, and I have UPIC to thank for that. Furthermore I was able to make new friends and even create good bonds with my mentors who can help me in future endeavors if I ever need them.”
– Titus Sandy Jr., Men’s Soccer

“I am currently placed at the Department of Marketing which is a big step for me to get a more hands-on experience in the marketing field. I am in charge of the social media platform posts, newsletters, blogs and more. The experiences I have received from doing UPIC internships have changed my life and allowed me to apply concepts that I have learned from my classes and in my everyday life. I strongly encourage athletes to take part in these internships because it gives you hands on experience and you get to meet new people and learn new things.” 

-Shantae Foreman, Women’s Track and Field

If interested in attending career events or hiring Clemson Student Athletes, please contact Nick Singleton – nsingl2@clemson.edu.

We provide intentional service locally, regionally and internationally while building meaningful relationships by aligning student-athlete passions to community needs. During the 2023-2024 school year, student-athletes completed 3,225 community service hours.

If your organization is in need of volunteers or has an upcoming volunteer opportunity, please reach out to Tori Niemann Lukens – niemann@clemson.edu.

Service Activities

Classroom readings, children’s hospital visits, food drives, Be a T.I.G.E.R. Field Day, Paw Pals Mentorship, Clemson LIFE.

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) serves to amplify the voices of student-athletes to serve their community, advocate on behalf of their teams, and unite and connect with athletic staff and administration through leadership and commitment. There are 50 student-athlete representatives.

Student-Athlete Testimonials

“I have had an amazing experience in SAAC! It has taught me so much about leadership and collaboration. SAAC has given me very valuable life skills that I will use in the future. I also have made such great friends! I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of SAAC and represent my sport.”

– Rose Imbesi, Rowing

Off-Campus Opportunities:

• Black Student Athlete Summit
• Micro Internships

Please reach out to a member of the student-athlete development staff for more information!

Spaces created for student-athletes to form relationships with others, create belonging, educate, learn and take action.

Tori Niemann Lukens – Assistant AD for Student-Athlete Development
Ashley Persson – Assistant Director for Student-Athlete Development
Nick Singleton – Assistant Director for Student-Athlete Development