Five excellent students focused on Talahassi for the ACS leadership symposium 2025 – Clemson News

February 7, 2025February 6, 2025

On February 7-9, Clemson sends five graduates to represent the University of the Annual Symposium for ACC leadership. This group, together with a bachelor’s delegates from 17 other universities, heads to the State University of Florida in Talahassi for a weekend of leadership training, professional development seminars and opportunities for networking. This year, the topic is “accelerating changes in the community” with an emphasis on how student leaders can facilitate positive changes in their communities.

Luther Bels

• Sophomore
• Wildlife biology and fisheries with Spanish research minors
• Bishopville, South Carolina
• Thomas F. Chapman scientist
• Gospel Choir Clemson
• Community Mentor of Living Learning Community (LLC)
• Vice President of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences
• Facilitator of Partner Dialogue at the Multicultural Center GANTT
• Welcome week of the week
• Served in the advice of freshmen in the student government

Belt was attracted to the symposium because of a strong presence of leadership in his upbringing and a desire to raise awareness of his main one. “It was very important for me to apply and change the perception of what the leader of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences (CAFLS) looks like. We are scientists, we are presidents, we are directors – we are everything that can be any other basic. “He is excited to cooperate with other institutions and hear different perspectives on shared issues.

After graduation in May 2027, Belso plans to enter the field of conservation and travel abroad to conduct environmental research and work.

Darien Bauman

• Senior
• Sociology with a youthful development of development minor
• Columbus, Georgia
• Orientation Ambassador in the summer 2023
• NAACP communication chair
• Vice President and historian of Sigma Gamma Rho
• Leadership Consultant and President for Public Relations at the Center for Student Leadership and Community Center (CSLE)
• Mentor at The Connections LLC
• Marketing Chairman for the Conference on Women in Leadership

Bauman’s decision to use this opportunity reflects the culmination of growth throughout her in Clemson. “When I first came here, I was not someone who was very ambitious and went after many roles. I have grown every year in how I approach situations like these, “she says. Bauman is looking forward to continuing to grow, acquire new knowledge and be part of creative, positive decisions in his community.

Bauman ends in May 2025 and plans to visit marketing postgraduate school. She hopes to work in the graphic design for a large company; Its ultimate goal is to overcome the difference between corporate and consumer, emphasizing the person over profit.

Sofia Brukuker

• Junior
• Marketing, communication (double specialty)
• Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
• A member of the college of Clemson University
• Trainee with Clemson Athletics Creative Solutions
• Kappa Kappa Gamma Member
• Member of Campus Outreach and Reformed University Fellowship International

Brubaker views leadership as “a way to identify gaps, to use its voice and to hear the voice of others, and to create opportunities wherever I go”, and this conference offers the perfect chance of doing so. “I believe that I have a thinking about growth is important and I am excited to expand my thinking and meet people from all over,” she says.

She graduated from Brubaker in May 2026, after which she plans to work in Creative Media – journalism, communication or marketing – within the golf industry.

Alexandra Rubio-Figueroa

• Sophomore
• Financial Management with Legal Research Underage
• Lexington, South Carolina
• Vice President of Association of Relations of Minority Business Students (MBSA)
• Secretary of the first generation success program
• Member of the Career Career Seminar
• Mentor to Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business

When asked what attracted her to the symposium and excites her from this opportunity, Rubio-Figueroa replies: “Like a first-generation Latin, I want to be a representation for everyone-especially the incoming students-so they can see that anything is possible. I look forward to making more friends and also to hear the stories of other people and find out where they come from. “

After graduating in May 2026, Rubio-Figueroa plans to attend a legal school and continue immigration law. She is also interested in researching work in the law enforcement industry.

Olivia Spencer

• Junior
• Civil engineering with a minor resilience
• Greenville, South Carolina
• Clemson Engineers Program Director for developing communities (CEDC)
• Residential Community mentor (RCM) in Grusset Hall
• DJ in WSBF-FM Clemson
• Site leader for a number of service trips with CSLE

The theme of this year’s symposium sparked Spencer’s interest. “I am really fascinated by the way we can develop communities-as a Clemson is an institution of grants, I think it is a truly an integral part of how we influence the state and the nation, so I wanted to see how other universities play in this. “She is looking forward to seeing the FSU mission and explore how they plan to build changes in communities.

After graduating in December 2026, Spencer intends to join the Peace Corps and then win a humanitarian engineering diploma. She hopes to learn this subject of students as well as leading trips for service training.