Meet Aleena E’Marie Allen, a new Clyburn Scholar at SC State University

The Summerville High School graduate is majoring in elementary education at SC State.

Note: The following is the first in a series of nine articles about SC State’s nine newly inducted Clyburn Scholars, who comprise the largest class in the program’s history.

ORANGEBURG, S.C. – Having grown up in a military family, Aleena E’Marie Allen has lived in six states and attended multiple schools across the country, experiences that have taught her adaptability, resilience, and an appreciation for diverse cultures.

Now, she’s putting those lessons to use as a first-year student at South Carolina State University, where she was recently inducted as one of nine new Clyburn Scholars in the Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College.

“Poised, compassionate, and purpose-driven, Aleena E’Marie Allen embodies the heart of the Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College, which aims to combine intellect, empathy, and excellence to inspire the next generation of learners and leaders,” said Dr. William H. Whitaker Jr., the college’s dean.

Majoring in elementary education at SC State, Allen is he eldest daughter of Anthony and Brittney Allen of Summerville, South Carolina. Her academic excellence and leadership reflect a lifetime of perseverance shaped by frequent relocations and her father’s military service.

Aleena’s passion for education and service was sparked in Hawaii, where she participated in a Career and Technical Education teacher preparation program during her time at Leilehua High School.

Through this program, she gained early classroom experience at Wahiawa Elementary School, developed engaging lesson plans, and completed three college-level education courses. This experience solidified her goal of becoming a kindergarten teacher, in her words, “to create an environment that fosters and grows a child’s love of learning.”

Inspired by her mother and aunt, both of whom are social workers, Allen also plans to pursue a master’s degree in social work after earning her bachelor’s degree in education. She hopes to bridge the fields of education and social work by advocating for students’ emotional and academic well-being in schools.

Beyond the classroom, Allen has served as a YMCA Summer Camp volunteer, Teen Center tutor, and administrative assistant for Dorchester Adult Education. Her involvement in cheer, dance, volleyball, and step teams across schools from New York to Hawaii has strengthened her teamwork, communication, and leadership skills.

She has been recognized with several scholarships:

• The Freshman GAP Scholarship.
• The Summerville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta’s Johnnie Mae Good Mazyck Scholarship.
• The LIFE Scholarship.
• The Clyburn Honors College General Scholarship.

Allen described South Carolina State University as the place “where everything finally came together.” After touring the campus, she knew she had found her academic home, a supportive community where she could grow, serve, and belong.

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.