Finding Purpose Through Service
For Clemson Honors students Ainara Garcia, Cooper Gill, Stephanie Rodriguez-Umana, and Natalia Nortz, service is more than volunteering. It’s a way of life shaped by empathy, leadership, and purpose. Across disciplines, they’ve each found distinct ways to support others, from mentoring peers to launching programs that strengthen Clemson’s connection to the broader community. Garcia, a Computer Engineering major and recipient of the University’s Matt Locke Leadership Award, has long been dedicated to service and leadership. A lifelong volunteer, she has supported local nonprofits, served in student government, and advanced STEM engagement across South Carolina. As a Breakthrough Scholar, she continues to champion access and opportunity for others pursuing STEM education. Gill, a Health Sciences major, led Clemson Miracle’s TIGERthon, the University’s largest student-run fundraiser, which raised more than $107,000 in 2025. She also contributes to campus initiatives like TEDx Clemson, applying her skills in sponsorship, finance, and event management to inspire others and elevate student engagement. Nortz, a Biological Sciences major and Dixon Global Policy Scholar, was part of a team of students that designed a mobile STEM outreach approach for middle school students in underserved communities. The project earned top honors in a statewide competition, reflecting her commitment to hands-on learning. Rodriguez-Umana, a Civil Engineering major and Breakthrough Scholar, brings the same spirit of service to her advocacy for accessibility and equity, mentoring fellow students, and creating a more welcoming campus culture.
The TEDxClemson 2025 planning team.
“Clemson is big enough to offer amazing opportunities, but small enough that you feel like you belong. That’s what makes it special.” Together, the group led TEDx Clemson 2025, coordinating speakers and events around the theme “Waves of Transformation.” The program, Garcia said, was a reflection of both personal growth and community purpose.
Ainara Garcia
According to Garcia, every member of the planning team embodied the values that define a Clemson education: service, leadership, creativity, and resilience. Their collective scholarship, creativity, and compassion embodies the Clemson mission of turning connection into impact and service into lasting transformation.
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