Mission Statement

Clemson Student-Athlete Development is dedicated to holistically developing and empowering student-athletes through community outreach, career and leadership development, and personal responsibility.

MEET THE STAFF

OUR OBJECTIVES

STUDENT-ATHLETE TESTIMONIALS

Lilly Lippeat on Clemson's Student-Athlete Development

“Student-Athlete Development has empowered me to grow in my leadership skills to impact those around me, whether in athletics or in the classroom. Upon graduation, I know the programs and resources of student-athlete development will equip me to excel in the professional workplace. Clemson Student-Athlete Development has impacted my experience both personally and professionally, encouraging my progress as I prepare to accomplish my career and life goals.”

STUDENT-ATHLETE PROGRAMMING

POWER is an 8-session curriculum rooted in ownership and focuses on: leadership skills, networking and community building. The program concludes with an experiential learning trip and student-led leadership conference.

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 Mike Clark – mdc6@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 – Assistant AD for Student-Athlete Development
Mike Clark – Assistant Director for Student-Athlete Development
Ashley Persson – Assistant Director for Student-Athlete Development
Nick Singleton – Assistant Director for Student-Athlete Development
Jaylen Rivers – Graduate Assistant

 

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