Clemson hires new president away from Big Ten school. Here’s what we know
Clemson University has a new president.
Kevin Guskiewicz was formally hired as the school’s 16th president Wednesday. Guskiewicz spent the last two years as president at Michigan State University in the Big Ten. Before that, he was chancellor at North Carolina from 2019-24.
Guskiewicz replaces Jim Clements, who retired in December after 12 years on the job. Clemson provost and chief academic officer Bob Jones served as the school’s interim president during its national search for its next president.
The Clemson University Board of Trustees unanimously approved Guskiewicz’s appointment as president and his contract in virtual meeting Wednesday.
Michigan State’s university board of trustees recently doubled Guskiewicz’s salary amid concerns he could leave for another university president job. As of May 17, Guskiewicz was making $2 million in base salary at MSU.
Clemson used an executive search firm and formed a presidential search committee within its board of trustees for its roughly five-month search. The school’s goal was to have a new president in place by the 2026 fall semester.
Clemson has had just three university presidents this century. Clements’ predecessor, James Barker, spent 15 years as president from 1999-2013.
Recent history of Clemson University presidents
- R.C. Edwards, 1958-79
- Bill Atchley, 1979-85
- Walter Cox, 1985-86
- Max Lennon, 1986-94
- Phil Prince, 1994-95
- Constantine Curris, 1995-99
- James Barker, 1999-2013
- Jim Clements, 2013-26
- Kevin Guskiewicz, 2026-present
This is a developing story and will be updated.
