President
Josiah Macchi
Josiah Macchi is a co-founder of the Opus Society. He previously served as Head Delegate of Clemson's Model United Nations program and is affiliated with the Clemson International Relations Association and the William T. Howell Pre-Law Society. He has previously conducted undergraduate research on China's rising economic influence under Dr. Xiaobo Hu in the Department of Political Science, and is currently researching perceptions of the opioid epidemic in news media under Dr. Ashley McKenzie. His academic interests center on international relations and diplomacy, with a particular focus on the geopolitical implications of emerging technologies. He plans to attend law school with the goal of practicing either public defense or international law..
Vice President
Claire Kovan
Claire Kovan is a co-founder of the Opus Society. She is a Senior Sociology major with a minor in Legal Studies. After graduating, she plans to attend law school and pursue international law. Her academic interests lie in diplomacy, which she developed in Clemson's Model United Nations, and the interaction of social systems with law. Outside of Opus, she is a member of Gamma Phi Beta, in the William T. Howell Pre-Law Society, volunteers with Pickens County Advocacy Center, and interns with the South Carolina Legislative Council.
Director of Recruitment & Mentorship
Meredith Corwin
Meredith is the Director of Recruitment and Mentorship for Opus Society. On campus, she serves as President of the Clemson Debate Society, Treasurer and Project Lead Coordinator for the Every Campus A Refuge chapter, an Ambassador for the College of Arts and Humanities, a Desk Editor for the Pendulum, the Public Relations Chair for the Student Funding Board, and a Staff Writer on the Clemson Undergraduate Law Review. Her academic interests center on how both domestic and international policy can work together to advance equitable access to legal and civil institutions.
Director of Programming & Logistics
Sammy Sirover
Sammy Sirover is the Director of Programming and Logistics, and is a senior majoring in political science with a minor in communication studies. Outside of Opus, she is a student intern at the Pearce Center for Professional Communication and an active member of Gamma Phi Beta.
Director of Communications
Elisabeth Kemme
Elisabeth Kemme is the Director of Communications for the Opus Society. She is a second-year junior Political Science major with minors in Criminal Justice and German Studies. She serves as the Vice President of the German Professional Society, is the Director of Fundraising for Clemson Dholna, and is an Undergraduate Methods Mentor for Clemson's Department of Political Science. Her academic interests center on diplomacy, international relations, and women's rights, which she further developed through her work as a delegate with Clemson Model United Nations. After Clemson, she plans to pursue a master's degree in international relations in Europe to then work with organizations such as NATO, the UN, and the EU.
Director of Finance
Alexia Ylinen
Alexia Ylinen is the Director of Finance for the OPUS Society. She is a sophomore Political Science and Economics major with a cluster minor in Behavioral & Social Science. Her academic interests are public policy, mainly economic and foreign policy, which she explored through the Clemson Model United Nations program. After undergrad, she intends to attend law school and pursue a career in public policymaking.
Josiah and Claire founded the Opus Society in 2026. As Founding Advisors they guide the organization's vision and institutional memory.
Co-Founder & Founding Advisor
Josiah Macchi
Josiah Macchi is a co-founder of the Opus Society. He previously served as Head Delegate of Clemson's Model United Nations program and is affiliated with the Clemson International Relations Association and the William T. Howell Pre-Law Society. He has previously conducted undergraduate research on China's rising economic influence under Dr. Xiaobo Hu in the Department of Political Science, and is currently researching perceptions of the opioid epidemic in news media under Dr. Ashley McKenzie. His academic interests center on international relations and diplomacy, with a particular focus on the geopolitical implications of emerging technologies. He plans to attend law school with the goal of practicing either public defense or international law.
Co-Founder & Founding Advisor
Claire Kovan
Claire Kovan is a co-founder of the Opus Society. She is a Senior Sociology major with a minor in Legal Studies. After graduating, she plans to attend law school and pursue international law. Her academic interests lie in diplomacy, which she developed in Clemson's Model United Nations, and the interaction of social systems with law. Outside of Opus, she is a member of Gamma Phi Beta, in the William T. Howell Pre-Law Society, volunteers with Pickens County Advocacy Center, and interns with the South Carolina Legislative Council.