Former UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz returning to the Carolinas for a new job
Clemson University has a new president.
Kevin Guskiewicz was formally hired as the school’s 16th president Wednesday. Guskiewicz spent the last two years as president at Michigan State University in the Big Ten. Before that, he was chancellor at UNC-Chapel Hill from 2019-24.
Guskiewicz replaces Jim Clements, who retired in December after 12 years on the job. Clemson provost and chief academic officer Bob Jones served as the school’s interim president during its national search for its next president.
The Clemson University Board of Trustees unanimously approved Guskiewicz’s appointment as president and his contract in virtual meeting Wednesday.
Clemson is signing Guskiewicz to a five-year contract with a base compensation of $1.216 million annually. Guskiewicz can earn an additional $250,000 annually “if annual goals and metrics are met,” and his contract has various other perks.
“I’ve known for many years how special Clemson University is, and I’m honored by the opportunity to build on the extraordinary tradition of excellence and to help lead the University into the future,” Guskiewicz said in a news release.
Michigan State’s university board of trustees recently offered to double Guskiewicz’s salary to roughly $2 million annually amid concerns he could leave for another university president job.
Clemson used an executive search firm and formed a presidential search committee within its board of trustees for its roughly five-month search. The school’s goal was to have a new president in place by the 2026 fall semester.
Clemson has had just three university presidents this century. Clements’ predecessor, James Barker, spent 15 years as president from 1999-2013.
“The entire Board of Trustees is excited to welcome Dr. Guskiewicz and continue to build upon Clemson’s 136 years of excellence and service to the citizens of this state,” Clemson board chairwoman Kim Wilkerson said in a news release.
Recent history of Clemson University presidents
- R.C. Edwards, 1958-79
- Bill Atchley, 1979-85
- Walter Cox, 1985-86
- Max Lennon, 1986-94
- Phil Prince, 1994-95
- Constantine Curris, 1995-99
- James Barker, 1999-2013
- Jim Clements, 2013-26
- Kevin Guskiewicz, 2026-present
This story was originally published May 27, 2026 at 12:45 PM with the headline "Former UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz returning to the Carolinas for a new job."
