CLEMSON — The Clemson University Board of Trustees met Thursday morning in a called meeting to approve the school’s choice for its next President.

The BOT approved Dr. Benjamin Ayers as Clemson University’s 16th President. Ayers comes from the University of Georgia where he currently serves as Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost.

“President Elect Ayers is an exceptional leader, whose experience values a collaborative approach which makes him well suited to serve Clemson University,” said Clemson University Board of Trustees Chairperson Kim Wilkerson.

Ayers was approved by the BOT’s Compensation Committee with a five-year contract worth $1 million annually, $668,468 of that will come from the University’s Foundation. He is set to begin his tenure as Clemson’s 16th President on Aug. 1.

Clemson’s new President will be eligible for a $50,000 raise per year upon a positive annual review. He is also eligible for incentive compensations up to $225,000, which will be paid by the Clemson University Foundation.

“It is a tremendous honor to be selected to serve as the next president of Clemson University,” Ayers said in a press release from Clemson University. “I am grateful to the Board of Trustees and the search committee for its confidence and humbled by the opportunity to join the Clemson Family.

“Clemson’s tradition of excellence, its commitment to students and its impact through teaching, research and service make it one of the nation’s most respected public universities. I look forward to working alongside our students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters to build upon the strong foundation and shape an even brighter future together.”

Thursday’s meeting was called after Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz decided to return to Michigan State on Monday. After a six month search, Clemson’s BOT approved Guskiewicz to be the school’s 16th President on May 27.

On Monday, Clemson announced, due to personal reasons, Guskiewicz had chosen to stay in his current role as President at Michigan State.

Guskiewicz was set to replace Jim Clements, who served as Clemson’s President for 12 years. Clements retired on December 31, 2025. He announced his retirement on December 9. Guskiewicz has spent the last two years as the President at Michigan State University.

But Clemson quickly found a replacement for Guskiewicz with the approval of Ayers, who has worked at Georgia for 30 years.

A nationally respected academic leader, accomplished administrator and award-winning educator, Ayers comes to Clemson from the University of Georgia, where he serves as senior vice president for academic affairs and provost.

As UGA’s chief academic officer, he oversees the University’s academic enterprise, including its 20 schools and colleges, as well as instruction, research, public service and outreach, information technology and the offices supporting faculty, graduate education, global engagement and libraries.

“Dr. Ayers brings a wealth of experience in all levels of academia and vast relationships with the private sector,” said Trustee Cheri Phyfer ’93, M ’99, chair of the presidential search committee. “Throughout the process, he impressed the committee with his candor, integrity and genuine enthusiasm for Clemson University. His experience spans every stage of academic leadership — from assistant professor to department chair, dean and provost — and he has distinguished himself in each role.”

As University of Georgia provost, Ayers has led the university’s academic enterprise during a period of continued momentum and growth. Under his leadership as provost, UGA launched a new School of Medicine, established the Victoria Kay Ivester School of Nursing and expanded study abroad opportunities to rank among the nation’s top five public universities for participation.

He also has overseen UGA’s research and innovation enterprise as it reached new milestones, including earning the No. 1 ranking among U.S. universities for bringing new products to market.

“Ben Ayers is an accomplished scholar and collaborative leader whose record reflects a deep commitment to academic excellence, student success and institutional advancement,” Wilkerson said. “He understands the opportunities ahead for higher education and has demonstrated the ability to bring people together around a shared vision. We are confident he is the right leader to build on Clemson’s remarkable momentum and guide the University into its next chapter.”

Before becoming UGA’s provost, Ayers served for 11 years as dean of the Terry College of Business, one of the nation’s leading public business schools. During his tenure, the college strengthened its national reputation, expanded academic offerings, increased undergraduate and graduate enrollment, significantly grew scholarships and study abroad opportunities, and endowed academic departments, institutes, chairs and professorships.

The college also completed a successful fundraising campaign resulting in more than $300 million in private support for students, faculty, academic programs and new facilities.  Prior to serving as dean, Ayers led UGA’s J.M. Tull School of Accounting for nine years. He joined the University of Georgia faculty in 1996 as an assistant professor. 

Prior to serving as dean, Ayers led UGA’s J.M. Tull School of Accounting for nine years. He joined the University of Georgia faculty in 1996 as an assistant professor. 

An accomplished teacher and researcher, Ayers has received numerous honors for excellence in teaching and scholarship throughout his career. His research has earned national recognition from the American Taxation Association and the American Accounting Association, and he served as president of the American Taxation Association in 2017. 

Ayers earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in taxation from the University of Alabama before completing a doctorate in accounting at the University of Texas at Austin. Before entering academia, Ayers worked in the private sector with KPMG and Complete Health Inc.