In May 2023, Jack W. Claypoole was named chief of staff for research while continuing in his role as executive director for strategic initiatives for USC. In addition to providing management support to the day-to-day operations of the institution’s more than $230M research portfolio, Claypoole is actively involved in developing projects and building partnerships that further the strategic direction of the University’s administration. Before becoming the COS, Claypoole oversaw strategic planning efforts as well as key community development activities for USC. He also served as executive director/CEO of the USC Alumni Association where he oversaw the design and construction of the Association’s 60,000sq/ft $26M Alumni Center and increased alumni advocacy and global engagement.
A native of South Carolina, Claypoole has served at executive levels in federal and state government, not-for-profit organizations, and grassroots community groups. Prior to joining the University of South Carolina in 2012, Claypoole served as associate deputy director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) as well as Administrator of the Office’s Drug Free Communities (DFC) program under both the Bush and Obama Administrations. During his tenure Claypoole oversaw the annual nationwide mobilization of over 30,000 volunteers and managed the expenditure of more than $620M in federal support funding.
A 1987 graduate of the University of South Carolina College of Information and Communications, Claypoole led the creation of the College’s alumni society, the first of its kind at USC and was named the college’s 2007 Distinguished Alumnus. He also holds an Executive Masters in Leadership degree from the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Claypoole is an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), is past president of the South Carolina chapter and served for several years as the University of South Carolina chapter advisor for public relations students. During his career, he has won over 40 communications and public policy awards and was named South Carolina’s Public Relations Practitioner of the Year by PRSA.