Clemson’s New President: An Inside Look at the Surprise Choice

Clemson University Names Michigan State’s Kevin Guskiewicz as New President

A recent announcement revealed that Clemson University has named Kevin Guskiewicz from Michigan State as its next president. The decision came after a search that originally considered two internal candidates:

• Anand Gramopadhye, dean of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
• Cynthia Young, dean of the College of Science

These two were on the final shortlist but were ultimately passed over.

The trustees did not publicly list finalists before choosing Guskiewicz. He is expected to start in August, succeeding Jim Clements who stepped down last December. Bob Jones has been acting as interim president since the beginning of the year.

During the search, Clemson kept stakeholders informed with seven updates. Faculty Senate leader Tyler Harvey opened a session where committee members could ask questions about the challenges of higher education and what qualities are needed in a new president. The goal was to gather input on how Clemson can remain an attractive place for faculty and students.

The search process began on December 18, when trustee Cheri Phyfer hired Funk Associates to compile a list of candidates. The firm was paid $200,000 and identified 77 potential leaders before narrowing the field to three finalists. When contacted for comments, Funk’s chief of staff said Clemson requested that all remarks be made by the university itself.

The final decision to appoint Guskiewicz was announced on Tuesday. While Clemson’s internal leaders were strong contenders, the trustees favored an external candidate with a fresh perspective. The choice signals a shift in the university’s direction as it prepares for new challenges and opportunities.