Eleven Clemson students represent University during ACC Advocacy Days
February 10, 2026
Undergraduate student government leaders head to Washington, D.C.
Eleven undergraduate students from Clemson University are making their way to Washington, D.C. the week of Feb. 9 to take part in ACC Advocacy Days — an annual gathering of student government leaders from schools in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Following a welcome dinner coordinated by host institution Virginia Tech, Clemson’s contingent of 11 students — along with Associate Vice President and Dean of Students Kimberly Poole and Director of Advocacy for Governmental Affairs Beth Bell — will spend a full day meeting with elected Congressional leaders from the state of South Carolina.
“I’m excited to represent Clemson on the federal level and advocating on behalf of what’s happening in higher education,” says Zach Freeman, president of Clemson Undergraduate Student Government (CUSG).
This is Freeman’s second trip to the nation’s capital. He previously went to advocate for the collegiate Greek Life experience through his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha. He wasn’t able to do any sightseeing last year, so he’s excited to have it built into the team’s agenda this time around.
“We want to represent what it means to be a Clemson student,” he says, adding Clemson’s delegates will include CUSG branch heads, chiefs and secretaries of various committees.
Bailee Tayles is also making a return trip to Washington, D.C., her first in the capacity of secretary of Governmental Affairs. Tayles spent part of last summer on Capitol Hill as an intern in the office of U.S. Senator Tim Scott. She’s excited to see some of her former colleagues as part of the tour, which will start in Scott’s office and move to Sen. Lindsey Graham’s office before ending in the House of Representatives.
“I had an awesome experience working in his office,” says Tayles, a Lyceum Scholar and Dixon Global Policy Scholar at Clemson. “Staffers in each office do a great job behind the scenes and work directly with policy-makers. They understand the representatives’ missions better than anyone.”
Tayles looks forward to open and honest conversation about how Clemson students can help advance governmental priorities. She’s also looking forward to meeting with staff from Sheri Biggs’ office. Biggs is serving her first term in office as representative for South Carolina’s Third District — which includes the tri-county area.
Tayles plans to move to D.C. after graduation in May and pursue interests in national security and foreign affairs.
“You don’t get this type of opportunity often because of their busy schedules,” she says. “Any chance I get to represent Clemson is an honor and something I’m excited about.”
Clemson Undergraduate Student Government attendees
Zach Freeman
President
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Management & Marketing
Maya Khaskhely
Vice President
Charleston, South Carolina
Environmental & Natural Resources
Bryce Getsinger
Senate President
Charleston, South Carolina
Computer Science
Brooke Dillingham
Attorney General
York, South Carolina
Genetics
Nate Mangum-Oates
Chief of Staff
Irmo, South Carolina
History
Katie Barfield
Chief of Operations
Chapin, South Carolina
Genetics & Sociology
Catherine Taylor
Deputy Chief of Staff
Greer, South Carolina
Nursing
Rosie Hanna
Secretary, Communications
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Marketing & Economics
Jake DeSalvo
Secretary, Finance
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Finance & Accounting
Bailee Tayles
Secretary, Governmental Affairs
Scottsdale, Arizona
English
Jake Serra
Secretary, Athletic Affairs
Westerly, Rhode Island
Health Science
