Pamplin professor honored for dedication to mentorship, community impact

When it comes to leadership, empathy and creative empowerment, Clarissa Gainey truly embodies the spirit of the Woman Who EmpowHers award she was honored with during the annual EmpowHer Summit held as part of the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business series.

Gainey, an assistant professor in the Department of Art and Design in the Katherine Reese Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, was selected for this year’s award due to her dedication to mentorship, community engagement and advocacy for women in design. Gainey’s recognition celebrates her ongoing commitment to cultivating confidence and creativity in others.

For Gainey, the award represents more than a personal milestone. It’s a message to her students and peers about the importance of giving back.

“Being recognized for leadership and mentorship means a lot in design,” Gainey shared. “If students see their professor making an impact, it may spark the belief that they too can step forward and create change.”

Her teaching philosophy centers on stewardship and service, encouraging young designers to view their craft as both a profession and a way to uplift their communities.

“I’m incredibly proud of Clarissa and her recent accomplishments. She deserves the recognition,” said Scott Thorp, chair of the Department of Art and Design. “Her dedication to using graphic design as a tool to better the community is inspiring, and her commitment to service sets an inspiring example for our students. Clarissa also brings her professional experiences back to the classroom, especially in her Design Factory course, where she brings real-world practice to an academic setting. I’m excited to see what she does next.”

Gainey’s path toward leadership began long before she entered the classroom. Inspired by her parents – her father is a retired Marine with a talent for problem-solving, and her mother is a retired physician who dedicated her time to medical missions – she learned early on that purpose is found through service.

“Seeing them give back made a huge impact,” Gainey said. “It taught me that even as a designer, I can use my skills to make a difference.”

That principle has shaped her teaching at Augusta University. Through her Design Factory senior capstone course in the Art and Design department, Gainey connects students with local nonprofits to create real-world design solutions. Past collaborations include projects with Augusta Locally Grown, Augusta Partnership for Children and the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History, where her class is currently developing a “legacy map” highlighting the ripple effect of Lucy Craft Laney’s influence.

“It’s not just my voice in the community,” she said. “It’s the students’ understanding that they can be part of it, too.”

Beyond the classroom, Gainey’s influence reaches into storytelling and cultural preservation. Her ongoing documentary project, “Thankful for America,” explores the contributions of immigrants to the United States and will culminate in a visual exhibition titled “Rooted 250.” The project celebrates America’s multicultural heritage ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary.

“Resilience is one of my favorite words,” Gainey said. “Even when obstacles pile up, you find the strength to move forward.”

As an educator, mentor and creative leader, Gainey continues to reflect the essence of the EmpowHer Award by showing that leadership begins with compassion, courage and community.

“Clarissa Gainey is an inspiration for us all,” said Kim Davies, PhD, dean of Pamplin College. “I understand why she won this award. She gives of herself and helps model for our students how they can give to others and our community. She is one of many amazing faculty in Pamplin College, and I am so happy she has found a home with us.”