Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz has been named the next president of Clemson University.
Clemson’s Board of Trustees formally selected Guskiewicz during a special-called meeting held May 27. He received a five-year contract with a $1.2 million base salary from the university. Guskiewicz will succeed longtime president James P. Clements, who retired in December 2025 after 12 years at the university.
“I am deeply honored and incredibly grateful to accept the opportunity to serve as Clemson University’s 16th president,” Guskiewicz said. “To be entrusted with leading a university as respected, ambitious and beloved as Clemson is both humbling and inspiring.”
Guskiewicz brings more than 30 years of experience in higher education to Clemson. He has served as Michigan State’s president since March 2024 and was the chancellor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 2019 to 2024. According to Clemson, he represented both institutions through leadership roles in various national higher education, research and civic organizations.
In addition to his leadership experience, Guskiewicz is a renowned neuroscientist and researcher in sports medicine. In 2022, he received the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship for his work surrounding sports-related concussions. Guskiewicz said Clemson has the opportunity to further elevate its research enterprise and national profile.
“Clemson is a university with tremendous momentum,” Guskiewicz said. “It’s already considered an outstanding public research university, but what excites me most is its potential for what comes next.”
The search for Clemson’s new president began in December. A presidential search committee was formed by the university’s board, which worked with Funk Associates, a Texas-based higher education leadership recruitment firm.
Search Committee Chair Cheri Phyfer said in-person conversations were conducted with the university’s various constituents, including faculty, staff, students, alumni and community leaders, to help guide the search process. She explained that Guskiewicz was selected from a strong and talented pool of candidates.
“Dr. Guskiewicz brings authenticity, steadiness and a genuine kindness to his leadership style,” Phyfer said. “He brings both vision and humility to the role, and we are confident his leadership will guide us to even greater heights.”
According to Clemson, Guskiewicz’s official start date is still being finalized. Guskiewicz said he anticipates starting sometime in August to help ensure a smooth transition for Michigan State University.
