Tiger Tales and UPIC: Writing to tell stories

 

Here at the Pearce Center, the interns have sought to highlight the community in a way that unites us all as Clemson Tigers. At the start of the Spring semester, interns conducted several interviews with community members who have had a positive impact during their time at Clemson. 

Tiger Tales, originally launched during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It began as a creative response to a necessity for uplifting content. Assistant Director of The Pearce Center, Ashley Fisk remarks on the platform’s creation.  

One of Tiger Tales most successful posts to date is a feature on Buddy the dog and his owner, Dave.

“I was scrolling through social media during COVID, and I was feeling really discouraged by all the content. Understandably, everyone was stressed and had a lot of fear because of the uncertainty of the disease, and it seemed most of the content was politically charged. I wanted to create a space where we could highlight awesome people in our community free from a political angle. I brought the idea to the interns, and they created Tiger Tales- the name, the logo, and developed the Instagram content. Now there is less fear about COVID, but still a need to highlight amazing community members. Tiger Tales gives the interns an opportunity to be creative and pitch their own story ideas.” 

With students and faculty alike desiring connection as well as good news, Tiger Tales became the platform for recognizing the very individuals who make Clemson such a bright, vibrant and welcoming place. As time has progressed, and the scope and engagement from the community has continued to grow, Tiger Tales has evolved into more diverse content. 

Tiger Tales as an Instagram began strictly as short-form media consisting of carousel posts and corresponding captions written by the Pearce Interns. 

Tiger Tales has not only allowed the opportunity for interns to hone their storytelling and content creation skills and their oral communication abilities. While these interviews may be brief, the relationship and impact of creating a more meaningful connection with a fellow student or community member of the Clemson area is what’s essential here. 

In Spring 2025, Pearce Interns began filming videos like this one to engage more community members in Tiger Tales.

As of this past Spring semester, the interns have made an effort to post short videos alongside the individual stories. By creating video content, Pearce Interns have mastered using Adobe platform, Premiere Pro.

One video that garnered a wide range of attention from the Clemson student body was the “What are you listening to?” trend. The community was extremely receptive to the concept as it allowed students to share their individual music taste as well as bond with their peers over shared interests. 

Additionally, the interns set out on campus to find out where Clemson students had ventured for spring break. These types of prompts bring us together. As for the interns, each time they set out to learn more about their fellow students, they are also enhancing oral communication skills through the interviewing process. 

Caren Kelley-Hall and the UPIC staff meet every semester with the Pearce Interns to make sure the process of the magazine publication runs smoothly.

In addition to their work with Tiger Tales, The Pearce Center’s long partnership with UPIC has fostered many opportunities and life-long experiences that will set any student up for success in the future. 

“We have truly valued the longstanding partnership between the Pearce Center and the UPIC Program. Each year, it’s a privilege to collaborate with some of Clemson’s most talented, creative, and driven students through the UPIC Magazine team. The Pearce Center provides a dynamic space where students can strengthen their writing, editing, and professional communication skills, while also contributing meaningful work that highlights the impact of experiential learning at Clemson.”

Dr. Caren Kelley-Hall, Associate Director of the UPIC program, reflects positively on the collaboration. 

Through publishing the yearly UPIC magazine, Pearce Interns develop their editing, writing and design skills. The overall angle of the magazine allows the interns to develop different communication skills. For instance, written communication is stressed in this format as the concept of storytelling is completely reliant on one’s ability to convey information. Interns gather information through interviews with other UPIC interns and mentors across all fields of study, enhancing their oral communication skills.These interviews are great practice for curating meaningful prompts as well as increasing interpersonal skills. This form of oral communication also allows for the practice of active listening. 

Through these collaborative efforts, Pearce Interns not only build essential communication skills — they also contribute to a culture of storytelling, recognition and connection that defines the Clemson experience.

 

By: Kanyn Blooworth, staff writer