FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 16, 2020

For More Information:
Glenville State College
Public Relations Department
(304) 462-4115

GLENVILLE, WV – Dr. Mari Clements has joined the staff at Glenville State College (GSC) as the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Clements comes to Glenville State after most recently serving as Provost at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. Before her academic career, she was a girl from Bowmantown, Tennessee, a small town outside the TriCities. “I grew up in the foothills of the Appalachians, so I feel right at home here in Glenville,” she said.

Trained as a Clinical Psychologist, Clements has also previously served as a faculty member, department chair, and academic dean. She holds a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Denver.

A problem-solver by nature, she says that skill is one of the things she hopes to bring to her new role at GSC. “That isn’t focus on problems, but I know that all institutions have challenges and we want to see how to take on those challenges and create opportunities to advance Glenville State,” Clements said.

As GSC’s Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Clements will oversee online programs, Robert F. Kidd Library operations, international programs, the GSC Honors Program, and other areas. “We have great people here,” Clements said. “I’m very excited to be working with the faculty and staff in these areas and beyond.”

“There are so many amazing things happening here at GSC. Even just in my brief time here so far, the work ethic…the sense of wonder and learning of our students is so evident – even behind masks. I want to be a part of that – finding how I can best contribute to those things that make Glenville State so special. Allowing our students the knowledge and skills to take their place in the world is such a rewarding feeling,” she said.

Of her 13 siblings, Clements is the only one to graduate from college, so she knows the importance of helping first-generation students succeed. “I can relate to the first-generation college student, but to me it is just as important to also see our student athletes, those who have family members as alumni, and students who choose to attend for other reasons all succeed,” she added.

Outside of academia, Clements and her husband Eric have been involved with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) for over 20 years. She holds many regional titles, and has also won three times at the annual national championship event.

“I do also love to bake, knit, and crochet – more traditional hobbies, I suppose – but after my husband became involved with the SCCA, I was encouraged to try car racing and I discovered I really enjoyed it,” Clements said.

She and her husband have two sons, Matthew and Jonathan. Both have shared their parents’ interest in racing. These days, Matthew is a senior software engineer for iRobot. Jonathan is a fighter pilot with the U.S. Air Force, but still finds time to make the occasional race and to use his aerospace engineering degree to design the family’s next race car.

Overall, Clements says that she is looking forward to settling in and joining the Pioneer Family.

“Glenville State College is so embedded in this community. That is, without question, a great thing but it is also a big responsibility. That responsibility is something I take seriously and want to help support,” Clements said.