Clemson University names Michigan State University leader as new president

After five months with an interim president at the helm, Clemson University has its next president.

The Clemson Board of Trustees Wednesday morning named Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz as Clemson's 16th president. The neuroscientist has led Michigan State since 2024. He's also served numerous roles at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, including as a sports-related concussion researcher and chancellor.

The trustees unanimously approved his selection, but Guskiewicz's start date has not yet been finalized.

"The role of a university president is to support, empower and elevate the people and the mission of the institution" he said during his virtual meeting Wednesday. "And that philosophy is one of the reasons that I feel such a strong connection to Clemson University."

The board's compensation committee voted unanimously on the financial side of Guskiewicz's hiring as well. He will be paid about $1.2 million each year during a five-year term. The Clemson University Foundation, the university's nonprofit that manages donated funds, will pay for $848,468 of that yearly sum. Various incentives were laid out that would boost his pay.

Guskiewicz's contract with Clemson came after Michigan State trustees approved a $1 million raise in his salary May 17 that bumped his yearly pay to about $2 million. Trustees in that meeting said the raise was necessary to retain Guskiewicz, as he was pursued by other universities.

Guskiewicz said he did not request a raise or extension and continued to have conversations with Clemson.

In a letter to the Michigan State community, he cited "differing perspectives within the Board of Trustees regarding how best to move MSU forward" as part of his decision to accept the role at Clemson.

Clemson's search for a new leader came after longtime president Jim Clements left the role Dec. 31, 2025. Trustee Cheri Phyfer led the search and served as chair of the presidential search committee.

"We were searching for an inspired leader — someone with a bold vision and the operational expertise necessary to lead in a rapidly evolving higher-education environment," she said. "Someone who could imagine an even brighter future for our university and those we serve, and then deliver on that vision."

Guskiewicz arrived at UNC-Chapel Hill in 1995. He received the MacArthur Fellowship in 2011 for his work on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of sports-related concussions.

He gradually expanded his role while at the university, becoming dean of the Colleges of Arts and Sciences in 2016 and then chancellor in 2019.

As chancellor and interim chancellor, he was brought into controversy regarding a $2.5 million settlement in 2019 that gave the Silent Sam monument to the North Carolina division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. The deal was eventually voided.

In 2021, Guskiewicz said he received broad updates from the vice chancellor for public affairs on the statue's resolution while he was interim chancellor.

The move was a surprise to students and faculty. Some faculty called for his resignation, but the viewpoint was not universal.

He committed to a positive relationship with Clemson students in his 10-minute Wednesday comments.

"I could not agree more that the student experience must be front-and-center every day, and I know that's important to so many people there," he said.

Guskiewicz will lead Clemson's nearly 30,000 students. He leaves Michigan State's 52,000 students. His desire to foster a positive relationship also extends to faculty.

"At the same time, Clemson has an opportunity to further elevate its research enterprise and national profile, and I know there's an eagerness to do this alongside world-class faculty and researchers, and we'll hit the ground running with that," he said.

Former Clemson provost Bob Jones took over as interim president Jan. 1. Clemson's presidential search process largely took place behind closed doors and in executive session.

The committee spoke to students, alumni, faculty and local leaders before making its selection.

See the full meeting here: