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Commencement

Congratulations Class of 2024

Congratulations!!! You have reached a milestone in your academic career - graduation. You came into this institution ready to learn, ready to move from good to great, and now we have announced to the world that you have achieved your goal.

We wish all of you the best, and now that you are alumni, we hope that you will return to us to celebrate future Homecomings and Reunion Weekends. We cannot wait to see what you will accomplish!

In this section

Baccalaureate
Commencement
Great Graduates

Baccalaureate 2024

Farmer Encourages Graduates not to Dim their Light

Student sing along to music performance at 2024 Baccalaureate

Graduates filed into Jane M. Smith Memorial Church on Friday, May 17, 2024, to hear an inspiring sermon from their soon-to-be fellow alumna Dr. Michaela O’Neal Farmer ’96.

Farmer, who answered the call to ministry during her first few years at Ƶ, delivered a message that further illuminated the University’s Latin motto, Sit Lux – “Let There Be Light.”

Read more

Photos from Baccalaureate

Students Process to the Church for the Baccalaureate Service
Students Process to the Church for the Baccalaureate Service
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Processing into the Church for Baccalaureate Service
Processing into the Church for Baccalaureate Service
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Students processing into the church for Baccalaureate
Students processing into the church for Baccalaureate
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Faculty process into the church during Baccalaureate
Faculty process into the church during Baccalaureate
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The platform party processes into the church during Baccalaureate Service
The platform party processes into the church during Baccalaureate Service
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Dr. Thierno Thiam addresses the congregation during Baccalaureate
Dr. Thierno Thiam addresses the congregation during Baccalaureate
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President Dr. Valerie Kinloch addresses the Class of 2024 during the Baccalaureate service.
President Dr. Valerie Kinloch addresses the Class of 2024 during the Baccalaureate service.
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SGA President, Sydlie Grace Fleurimond ’24 performs the invocation during the Baccalaureate Service
SGA President Sydlie Grace Fleurimond ’24 performs the invocation during the Baccalaureate Service
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Dr. Kinloch with Miss JCSU Aliyah Laila Thompson ’24 and Mister JCSU Kofi Asafu-Adjaye ’24 during the Baccalaureate Service
Dr. Kinloch with Miss JCSU Aliyah Laila Thompson ’24 and Mister JCSU Kofi Asafu-Adjaye ’24 during the Baccalaureate Service
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Class of 2024 Salutatorian John Josiah introduces the speaker
Class of 2024 Salutatorian John Josiah introduces the speaker
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Dr. Michaela O’Neal Farmer ’96 speaking during Baccalaureate Service
Dr. Michaela O’Neal Farmer ’96, speaking during Baccalaureate Service
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Dr. Michaela O’Neal Farmer ’96 speaking during Baccalaureate Service
Dr. Michaela O’Neal Farmer ’96, speaking during Baccalaureate Service
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Dr. Michaela O’Neal Farmer ’96, speaking during Baccalaureate Service
Dr. Michaela O’Neal Farmer ’96, speaking during Baccalaureate Service
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President Kinloch and Dr. Farmer ’96 during Baccalaureate Service
President Kinloch and Dr. Farmer ’96 during Baccalaureate Service
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Students singing during the Bacalaureate Service
Students singing during the Baccalaureate Service
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Post Baccalaureate Service photo outside the church
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Post Baccalaureate Service photo outside the church
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Post Baccalaureate Service photo outside the church
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Dr. Kinloch hugs a student after Baccalaureate Service
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Post Baccalaureate Service photo outside the church
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Post Baccalaureate Service photo outside the church
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Post Baccalaureate Service photo outside the church
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Post Baccalaureate Service photo outside the church
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Post Baccalaureate Service photo outside the church
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Post Baccalaureate Service reception
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Speaker
 Dr. Michaela O’Neal Farmer, ‘96 headshot
2024 Baccalaureate Speaker

This year's Baccalaureate Speaker was JCSU alumnus Dr. Michaela O’Neal Farmer, ‘96. 

Dr. Farmer's Bio

Commencement 2024

JCSU Commencement Celebrates 228 Graduates, Now Golden Bull Alumni

Class of 2024 Walks into Bojangles Coliseum

Waves of Golden Bulls flooded Bojangles Coliseum on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at 11 a.m. to walk across the stage, some of them for the first time, to receive their degrees.

Ƶ conferred 228 degrees, 207 to undergraduate students and 21 to graduate students in the Master of Social Work program. A total of 125 of those graduates completed their studies with Latin honors by earning a 3.0 grade-point average or higher throughout their collegiate career.

Read more

Photos from the Ceremony

Faculty and Staff process into the Commencement Ceremony
Faculty and Staff process into the Commencement Ceremony
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JCSU's 15th President Dr. Valerie Kinloch '96 processes into Commencement with keynote speaker Georgia Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock
JCSU's 15th President, Dr. Valerie Kinloch '96 processes into Commencement with keynote speaker Georgia Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock
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Dr. Davida L. Haywood ‘98 addresses graduates during the Commencement Ceremony
Dr. Davida L. Haywood ‘98 addresses graduates during the Commencement Ceremony
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Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Thierno Thiam holds the ceremonial mace during the Commencement Ceremony
Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Thierno Thiam holds the ceremonial mace during the Commencement Ceremony
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President Kinloch addresses graduates during the Commencement Ceremony
President Kinloch addresses graduates during the Commencement Ceremony
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Coordinator for Spiritual Life and Community Service Rev. Dr. Jonathan Tennial says the invocation
Coordinator for Spiritual Life and Community Service Rev. Dr. Jonathan Tennial says the invocation
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Darius Peterson, ‘24 rings the bell during the Historic Call to Order
Darius Peterson, ‘24 rings the bell during the Historic Call to Order
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President Kinloch clapping during the Commencement program
President Kinloch clapping during the Commencement program
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JCSU's Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Steven L. Boyd ‘79, provides a message to graduates
JCSU's Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Steven L. Boyd ‘79, provides a message to graduates
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President Kinloch and Chair Boyd hood Senator Warnock during the conferring of the Honorary degree
President Kinloch and Chair Boyd hood Senator Warnock during the conferring of the Honorary degree
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Rev. Dr. Raphael Gamaliel Warnock has his honorary degree conferred
Rev. Dr. Raphael Gamaliel Warnock has his honorary degree conferred
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Sen. Warnock addresses the graduates
Sen. Warnock addresses the graduates
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Sen. Warnock addresses the graduates
Sen. Warnock addresses the graduates
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President Kinloch presents the medal for Salutatorian John Josiah
President Kinloch presents the medal for Salutatorian to John Josiah
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President Kinloch presents the medal for Valedictorian to Saeed Dupree
President Kinloch presents the medal for Valedictorian to Saeed Dupree
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Valedictorian Saeed Dupree addresses his classmates
Valedictorian Saeed Dupree addresses his classmates
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President Kinloch hugs Saeed Dupree after his valedictory address
President Kinloch hugs Saeed Dupree after his valedictory address
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Jordyn Briana Head,’24 addresses the class before the conferring of degrees
Jordyn Briana Head,’24 addresses the class before the conferring of degrees
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Students are allowed a moment to celebrate during the mashup during the Commencement Ceremony
Students are allowed a moment to celebrate during the mashup during the Commencement Ceremony
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Students are allowed a moment to celebrate during the mashup during the Commencement Ceremony
Students are allowed a moment to celebrate during the mashup during the Commencement Ceremony
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Students are allowed a moment to celebrate during the mashup during the Commencement Ceremony
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The platform party sings the Loyalty Song
The platform party sings the Loyalty Song
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Faculty, staff, students and alumni recess out of Bojangles Coliseum to close the ceremony
Faculty, staff, students and alumni recess out of Bojangles Coliseum to close the ceremony
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Chair Boyd and President Kinloch in the recessional
Chair Boyd and President Kinloch in the recessional
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Recessing out of Bojangles
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Conferring of degrees

Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
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Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
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Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
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Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
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Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
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Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
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Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
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Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
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Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
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Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
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Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
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Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
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Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
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Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
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Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
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Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
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Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
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Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
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Students receive their degrees during the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
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Graduates at Commencement

Graduates at Commencement
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Graduates at Commencement
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Graduates at Commencement
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Graduates at Commencement
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Graduates at Commencement
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Graduates at Commencement
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Graduates at Commencement
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Graduates at Commencement
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Graduates at Commencement
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Graduates at Commencement
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Graduates at Commencement
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Graduates at Commencement
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Graduates at Commencement
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Graduates at Commencement
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Graduates at Commencement
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Graduates at Commencement
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Graduates at Commencement
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Graduates at Commencement
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Alumni at Commencement

Alumni at Commencement 2024
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Alumni at Commencement 2024
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Alumni at Commencement 2024
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Alumni at Commencement 2024
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Alumni at Commencement 2024
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Alumni at Commencement 2024
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Alumni at Commencement 2024
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Alumni at Commencement 2024
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Alumni at Commencement 2024
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Alumni at Commencement 2024
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Alumni at Commencement 2024
The Silver Class brought flowers to remember those classmates who were no longer with them
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Alumni at Commencement 2024
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Alumni at Commencement 2024
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Alumni at Commencement 2024
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Alumni at Commencement 2024
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Alumni at Commencement 2024
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Alumni at Commencement 2024
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Decorated Hats

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Decorated Commencement hat
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Decorated Commencement hat
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Stylish Shoes

Interesting Shoes seen at Commencement
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Interesting shoes seen at Commencement
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Interesting shoes seen at Commencement
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Interesting shoes seen at Commencement
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Interesting shoes seen at Commencement
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Interesting shoes seen at Commencement
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Interesting shoes seen at Commencement
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Interesting shoes seen at Commencement
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Interesting shoes seen at Commencement
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Interesting shoes seen at Commencement
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Interesting shoes seen at Commencement
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Interesting shoes seen at Commencement
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Interesting shoes seen at Commencement
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Interesting shoes seen at Commencement
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Watch the 2024 Commencement Ceremony
Speaker
 Georgia Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock Headshot
Georgia Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock

Georgia Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock served as the keynote speaker at Ƶ’s 151st Commencement Exercises. 

Read more
Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock Bio

Great Graduates

Saeed Dupree

Valedictorian: Saeed Dupree

Saeed Dupree is a scholar-athlete with an emphasis on “scholar.” The Biology and Chemistry double major is the Class of 2024 valedictorian.
John Josiah

Salutatorian: John Josiah

John Josiah never thought he could make an impact beyond the borders of his hometown of Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Several years after coming to America, a place where he had no immediate family or support system, Josiah will cross the stage as the salutatorian of the Class of 2024.
Sydlie Fleurimond

Sydlie Fleurimond

Sydlie Fleurimond boldly decided to leave her small town of Hamden, Conn., and travel more than 11 hours away to attend Ƶ. What started as a love for the family-oriented environment and the track and field program developed into endless opportunities for Fleurimond.
Jackson Kakwenya

Jackson Kakwenya

Ƶ appealed to Jackson Kakwenya, a native of Lusaka, Zambia, for a number of reasons. Not only was he interested in its closeness to the heart of Charlotte, N.C., but it also offered him the support he needed to thrive.
Samantha Baldwin

Samantha Baldwin

Samantha Baldwin knew that she wanted to attend an HBCU to further her studies, and she knew she found the right one when she discovered JCSU.
Tanaka Mbavarira

Tanaka Mbavarira

As a child growing up in Bukawayo, Zimbabwe Tanaka Mbavarira knew that his home country had a lot to offer including 7 public universities, but his country did not have a lot of experiential learning opportunities. He dreamed of pursing higher education in the United States.
Cierra Carter

Cierra Carter

As a junior in high school, Cierra Carter traveled from Saint Paul, Minn., to tour Ƶ’s campus. She fell in love immediately but ultimately was influenced to start her collegiate journey at Tennessee State University.
Gabrielle Hall

Gabrielle Hall

Gabrielle Hall, a Psychology major with a minor in Communications Arts from Lexington, N.C., first learned about JCSU through her high school’s band program in the 90s. After high school, though, Hall joined the military and raised her children as a single parent. She decided to pursue her own degree at JCSU after putting each of her children through college and becoming an empty nester.
Kofi Asafu-Adjaye

Kofi Asafu-Adjaye

Kofi Asafu-Adjaye has uniquely served as a member of the Royal Court since his sophomore year, when he was finally able to step onto campus after stay-at-home orders shuttered the doors of several colleges, including Ƶ.
LaChunda Hunter

LaChunda Hunter

LaChunda Hunter, a Charlotte, N.C. native, faced wave upon wave of uncertainty when she decided to return to school for the first time since 1996. As a divorced, 42-year-old, single mother of two, Hunter felt the pull to further her career by pursuing her undergraduate degree in Business Administration with a minor in Management at Ƶ.