Clemson’s Core Competencies
Clemson University’s core competencies and proficiency levels are rooted in research conducted by The American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), Clemson faculty and staff, and many others.
Knowledge, skills, and behaviors align to create competencies that contribute to enhancing performance. Grounded in theory and verified by faculty, the Core Competencies and the proficiency levels are inclusive of undergraduate and graduate students and align with our development model of Learn. Act. Flex. Succeed. This approach promotes lifelong competency development and a definition of success grounded in a growth mindset.
The Core Competencies are divided into three categories: Engagement, Innovation, and Professionalism. Inherent in each competency is the critical need to have a commitment to value a community that appreciates and learns from individuals’ similarities and differences. One cannot be minimally effective in any competency without affirming the dignity and worth of each individual and promoting practices that contribute to the success of all.
Competency Resources
Through a generous donation from Norfolk Southern, the Center is excited to offer a grant program for faculty and staff who incorporate competency development and articulation activities into existing or new courses or student-serving programs.
Learn more about the research behind Clemson’s Core Competencies and view definitions and sample behaviors for each competency.
NACE identifies eight career readiness competencies through their research and support of career readiness.
AAC&U provides open-source VALUE rubrics to help institutions assess student performance in Essential Learning Outcomes like Critical Thinking and Teamwork. The rubrics are available for download, and permission has been granted for educators to make modifications.
Engagement
Engaging in dialogue that leads to productive outcomes and points of connection by effectively articulating oneself to individuals within and outside of one’s industry or area of expertise.
Sample Behaviors
- Perceives non-verbal cues
- Utilizes various methods, including persuading, instructing, listening, etc.
- Adjusts style and content for audience and format
- Anticipates others’ reactions and prepares for questions
- Fosters dialogue and productive outcomes
- Provides and receives feedback
Developing authentic and mutually beneficial relationships by valuing everyone and taking responsibility for one’s role within a team.
Sample Behaviors
- Contributes to authentic and mutually beneficial relationships
- Establishes a network across a broad spectrum
- Encourages others to contribute
- Seeks to learn from others
- Navigates conflict
- Shares responsibility of team goals and projects
- Upholds commitments
Being able to recognize, respect, develop, and capitalize on the unique strengths of individuals from all backgrounds and being an active member in a group that achieves a shared vision.
Sample Behaviors
- Develops and capitalizes on the unique strengths of individuals from all backgrounds
- Encourages discussion where individuals can express different points of view
- Empowers others to achieve a shared vision and shares credit
- Plans, initiates, manages, completes, and evaluates meetings and/or projects
- Establishes priorities
Innovation
Taking the initiative to further enhance one’s skill set and being creative with ways of thinking or approaches that allow for action, reflection, failure, and resilience in an ever-changing world.
Sample Behaviors
- Considers new approaches to problems and/or projects
- Seeks to enhance skills
- Anticipates changes in industries and disciplines
- Recognizes that challenges and failure are a part of the learning experience
- Acknowledges new approaches and ways of thinking can be beneficial
Seizing the opportunity for organizational improvement that prompts critical thinking and problem solving by obtaining, processing, and synthesizing information.
Sample Behaviors
- Utilizes information to critically examine problems and develop solutions
- Employs different methods of obtaining, processing, and synthesizing information
- Weighs options by considering the impact
- Makes recommendations
- Promotes a culture where others are empowered to identify and solve problems
Employing current and emerging software and tools to solve general and industry-specific challenges.
Sample Behaviors
- Utilizes current and emerging software and tools
- Compares and articulates the potential of different software and tools to solve complex challenges
- Troubleshoots independently before seeking assistance
- Serves as a resource for training others to use technology to achieve strategic goals
Professionalism
Understanding one’s strengths, limitations, emotions, and biases in a variety of situations and articulating how one’s interests, skills, and values align with educational goals.
Sample Behaviors
- Recognizes and articulates how interests, skills, and work values inform goals
- Establishes goals, reflects on progress, and adjusts behaviors
- Reevaluates goals
- Manages stress and emotions and interprets emotions of others
- Recognizes and works to overcome biases
- Manages time and parallel projects
Making choices and consistently acting in a manner that displays integrity (following internal principles, morals, and values) and ethics (following external laws, rules, and norms) in personal and professional settings.
Sample Behaviors
- Demonstrates dependability
- Articulates and acts in alignment with principles, morals, and values
- Acts equitably with integrity and accountability to self, others, and the organization
- Demonstrates a high level of dedication toward doing a good job and exceeding goals
Demonstrating the continual development of a positive impression or image in every facet of life while seeking feedback from others to ensure congruence between one’s intended and perceived reputation.
Sample Behaviors
- Meets deadlines
- Accepts responsibility
- Reflects on reputation in personal, educational, professional, and online settings and adjusts to achieve congruence with values and ethics
- Responds and manages others’ concerns and/or complaints in a sensitive way
