Ed Bowers to continue supporting Clemson Elevate efforts for CBSHS as director of assessment and engagement

Ed Bowers, professor of youth development leadership and special assistant to the dean in the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences (CBSHS), has been appointed director of assessment and engagement for the College.

As special assistant to the dean, Bowers has led the CBSHS Industry-Community Engagement Partnership (ICEP) Committee and developed a thoughtful, systematic approach to measuring both quantifiable data and experience-based information gathered through the College's community and industry partnerships, entrepreneurial endeavors and engaged student experiences.

"Over the last year, I have seen firsthand the incredible work put forth by our College, and I have developed a deep understanding of the complex and multifacted ways in which units across the University engage with community and industry partners," said Bowers. "I look forward to continuing to build upon the College's framework for data collection and analytics and facilitate a culture of engagement that is beneficial to students, faculty, staff and partners."

In his role as director of assessment and engagement, Bowers will expand on his work to evaluate the College's footprint across the state and nation and facilitate engagement activities and partnerships for each of the College's academic departments, centers and institutes.

Bowers will provide support for accreditation processes and audit and evaluate current programs to identify programmatic strengths and weaknesses. He will serve as the liaison between CBSHS, Clemson University and industry partners to increase opportunities for collaboration. Additionally, he will expand the College's framework to measure engagement, service and outreach as it continues to prioritize activities that align with the University's strategic plan, Clemson Elevate.

"Dr. Bowers' work as special assistant to the dean this past year provided insight into the work CBSHS is doing across the state. He has identified ways for us to collaborate with industry partners and expand the CBSHS footprint in engagement within the state and beyond," said Leslie Hossfeld, CBSHS dean. "Dr. Bowers has years of experience in evaluation and assessment methodologies and is highly qualified to take on the role of director of assessment and engagement for the College. I look forward to continuing to work with him in this capacity and am eager to see how this work blossoms under his leadership."

Bowers earned a Ph.D. in applied developmental psychology from Boston College. He earned a master's degree in education and a bachelor's degree in science business and anthropology from the University of Notre Dame.

The College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences (CBSHS) was established in July 2016. CBSHS is a 21st-century, land-grant college that combines work in nine disciplines - communication; nursing; parks, recreation and tourism management; political science; psychology; public health sciences; sociology, anthropology and criminal justice - to further its mission of "building people and communities" in South Carolina and beyond.