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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