In December, Clemson announced the creation of the Division of Community, Engagement, Belonging and Access. The scope of the new division will take shape throughout 2024.
The formation of this division, also known as CEBA, aligns with the pillars of Clemson Elevate, a strategic plan meant to ensure excellence in both students and faculty while creating a community that extends beyond South Carolina, according to an article by Clemson News.
“Our vision aspires to foster a community of belonging,” Felicia Benton-Johnson, vice president for Diversity and Inclusive Excellence, said in an email to the student body. “We invite every member of the Clemson community to join us in creating a campus environment that truly embodies the values of community, engagement, belonging and access.”
Though CEBA is new, it has already set forth goals of establishing a thriving community for everyone in the Clemson Family by “building positive relationships; broadening collective understanding; providing experiential learning opportunities and engaging in innovative and collaborative research,” according to Clemson News.
Specifically, CEBA hopes to implement both instructional and service initiatives in order to build a stronger student community that continues after graduation.
Savannah Wojtkowski, a sophomore industrial engineering major, believes that CEBA’s efforts will bring a new sense of unity among Clemson students, a unity she hasn’t felt since her first week on campus.
“I hope the division does something for all students, similar to Welcome Week, where all the freshmen are together,” Wojtkowski said. “I feel like as we get older and separate into majors, we lose a sense of togetherness.”
