Claflin University and Clemson University Announce Claflin to Clemson Big Cat Fellowship program to Retain Top Talent, Increase Ph.D. Graduates in South Carolina

Clemson Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Robert H. Jones and Claflin Provost and Chief Academic Officer Karl S. Wright sign the Memorandum of Agreement to execute the Claflin to Clemson Big Cat Fellowship program.

Fellowships are now available to Claflin University students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees at Clemson University through the Graduate School’s Claflin to Clemson Big Cat Fellowship program.

School leaders hosted a ceremonial signing at Greenville One on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, to commemorate the agreement that expands academic opportunities for undergraduate students while retaining top talent and increasing Ph.D. graduates in South Carolina.

“We are extremely pleased to enter into this consequential MOA with Clemson University, which expands academic opportunities for Claflin scholars who want to pursue master’s and doctorate degrees in South Carolina. This partnership will potentially increase the number of high-achieving minority students and those from underrepresented populations that enroll at Clemson to take advantage of their outstanding graduate programs,” said Dr. Karl S. Wright, provost and chief academic officer at Claflin University. “The fellowships are also very important because they reduce graduate school tuition and allow recipients to focus on their academics and research. This partnership provides significant benefits for both institutions.”

The fellowship amount for any Master of Arts or Master of Science degree program is $5,000 per year and $10,000 for any doctoral degree program. Students awarded a Claflin to Clemson Big Cat fellowship will continue to receive the fellowship on an annual basis for up to a total of three years. 

“The Claflin to Clemson Big Cat Fellowship program is the result of a great deal of purpose and commitment by both institutions,” said Clemson Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Robert H. Jones. “We value our long-term partnership with Claflin and recognize that leveraging strategic collaborations are key to amplifying academic success and enhancing educational and economic opportunities that will transform lives statewide and beyond.”

A list of programs will be made available online soon.

Standing left to right during a ceremonial signing to announce the Claflin to Clemson Big Cat Fellowship program are Shontavia Johnson, John Lopes, Melissa Smith, Natasha Croom, Amy Lawton-Rauh, Robert H. Jones, Karl S. Wright, Isaiah McGee, Verlie Tisdale, Luis Almeida, Anthony Pittman, Peggy Ratliff, Leslie Hossfeld, and Vanessa Harris