Meet Ja’Leeah Juanita-Teresa Jones, a new Clyburn Scholar at SC State University
The Fort Mill, South Carolina, resident is majoring in sociology.
The first-year student from Fort Mill, South Carolina, arrived at South Carolina State University this fall with a résumé filled with service initiatives focused on youth advocacy and outreach during high school.
Now, she’s making her portfolio even stronger as one of nine newly inducted Clyburn Scholars in SC State’s Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College and as an Honors College Presidential Scholar.
“Ja’Leeah Juanita-Teresa Jones is passionate about youth advocacy, community service, and social reform with a long-term goal of pursuing a career in social work and juvenile justice reform,” said Dr. William H. Whitaker Jr., the Honors College’s dean. “She embodies the ideals of the Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College -- intellect, integrity, and impact.
“Guided by faith and fueled by service, she represents the next generation of Bulldog scholars devoted to uplifting others and transforming communities through leadership and love,” Whitaker said.
A graduate of Fort Mill School District’s Nation Ford High School, Jones distinguished herself as a scholar, leader, and servant. She founded her high school’s Black Student Union and served as president. She was a grade-level representative on the Student Council and held leadership roles as Toastmasters president and step-team organizer for youth outreach initiatives.
Deeply committed to service, Jones organized and led toy, food, and supply drives, volunteered as a Sunday School teacher, and assisted with youth devotionals while continuing to live by the words of her mentor: “Service is the rent you pay to live in this world.”
Her compassion for children inspired her to volunteer in elementary classrooms and youth organizations. She also interned at a family law office, where she gained firsthand experience in advocacy and support for families in need. These experiences strengthened her commitment to become a catalyst for change within social systems that impact children and families nationwide.
Jones describes herself as “faith-centered, resilient, and driven by purpose.” Raised in a close-knit home by her father, a minister, and her mother, an educator, she learned discipline, integrity, and perseverance. Overcoming personal challenges, she has developed an unwavering belief that emotional and spiritual wellness are just as vital as academic achievement.
At SC State, Jones is an active member of Kouture Modeling and is eager to serve through student-led organizations that align with her values of service and leadership.
The sociology major sees her time in the Clyburn Honors College as an opportunity to discover her niche, grow as a leader, and create lasting impact on campus and beyond.
About the Clyburn Scholars Program
The Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College at South Carolina State University proudly
celebrates the continued generosity of the Dr. Emily England Clyburn Endowed Honors
College Scholarship Fund, an enduring endowment honoring Congressman James E. Clyburn
and the late Dr. Emily England Clyburn.
Established to support high-achieving students who demonstrate academic excellence,
leadership, and a passion for community engagement, the Dr. Emily England Clyburn
Endowed Honors College Scholarship Fund has become a cornerstone of the Honors College’s
mission to elevate student success and expand opportunity for South Carolina’s most
promising young scholars.
“The Honors College is forever grateful to the Clyburn family for choosing to invest
in the lives of some of our best and brightest students here at South Carolina State
University,” Whitaker said. “These financial gifts are noble and profoundly impactful,
ensuring that our scholars can focus on academic excellence without the barriers of
financial hardship.
“We accept these gifts with humility and a renewed commitment to the ideals of leadership,
service, and scholarship that the Clyburn name represents,” Whitaker said. “This scholarship
does more than ease financial burdens. It inspires our scholars to lead lives of purpose
and to give back to the communities that shaped them.”
For more information about SC State’s Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College, contact
Dr. William Whitaker, the Honors College’s dean, at wwhitak3@scsu.edu or 803-533-3710,
or Dr. Windy A. Mack Stephenson, the Honors College’s executive director, at wmack3@scsu.edu
or 803-516-4610.
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