Author: Sam Watson, Director of University Relations|Published: June 11, 2024|All News
Sharing Good News about Alumni of South Carolina State University!
KJ KearneyKJ Kearney
Class of 2005
KJ Kearney received the James Beard Foundation's 2024 Social Media Account Award.
Kearney, a graduate of South Carolina State University with a bachelor's degree in
business administration, is the owner of Black Food Fridays, which reaches more than
2 million people across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. He launched Black
Food Fridays on April 5, 2020, and is the host of the PBS Digital series, “Citizen
Better.”
Established in 1990 with the first awards given in 1991, the James Beard Awards are
among the nation’s most prestigious honors recognizing leaders in the culinary and
food media industries, and those in the broader food systems.
You can see Kearney's acceptance speech by clicking here.
Bill HamiltonBill Hamilton
Classes of 1973 & 1979
Bill Hamilton, the legendary publicist and historian from South Carolina State University,
has been named President of the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame (SCAHOF).
Hamilton was reared in Chesterfield and graduated from SC State with a Bachelor of
Arts in English language and literature in 1973. He completed his Master of Education
at SC State in 1979.
He retired in 2013 after 40 years as the first full-time sports information director
in SC State history. He remains active with Bulldog athletics as the college’s athletic
historian and as a football broadcaster. In 2009, was enshrined in the College Sports
Information Directors Association Hall of Fame. In 2012, was the recipient of the
SCAHOF’s annual Herman Helms Excellence in Media Award.
Dr. Tracy JohnsonDr. Tracy Johnson
Classes of 1998, 2001 & 2007
Dr. Tracy Johnson has been selected as the Kershaw County School District's coordinator
of special services.
Johnson joins KCSD’s special services department with more than 24 years of education
experience, serving from the Low Country to the Midlands. She began her career as
a speech-language pathologist and later was an elementary principal and assistant
principal. She joined the South Carolina Department of Education as a transformation
coach in 2016 and is a district attendance interventionist.
In addition to working in these capacities in area school districts, Johnson also
serves as an adjunct Professor at her alma mater, South Carolina State University,
where she earned bachelor's and master’s degrees in speech-language pathology and
audiology, and a Doctor of Education in educational leadership.
She is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), CORSPAN-The
Corporate Speech Pathology Network, South Carolina Alliance of Black School Educators
(SCABSE), and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).
Dr. Tanya WilsonDr. Tanya Wilson
Classes of 1999 & 2003
Dr. Tanya Wilson has been named visiting assistant clinical professor and off-campus
placement coordinator in speech-language pathology at Northeastern University-Charlotte.
Wilson brings extensive expertise and passion to the program. As a dedicated clinician
and educator, Wilson is committed to shaping the future of speech-language pathology.
With a wealth of experience in speech-language pathology, Wilson is dedicated to mentoring
and educating future SLP professionals. She also is committed to guiding students
on exciting placement opportunities in speech-language pathology.
Dr. Nia JohnsonDr. Nia Johnson
Class of 1999
Northeastern University-Charlotte! has named Dr. Nia I Johnson as assistant program
director and clinical professor for the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
Program.
Johnson brings a unique blend of expertise, leadership, and innovation to the program.
From curriculum development to student support, she is committed to fostering a supportive
and enriching learning environment where every student can thrive.
Johnson, a former SC State faculty member, is a speech-language pathologist with over
20 years of experience working with both adults and children with a wide range of
communication challenges in various settings. She is a former vice president for membership
and outreach for the South Carolina Speech Language and Hearing Association.
Past experiences include lead speech pathologist for a school district as well as
the inaugural coordinator of clinical services for a university on-campus clinic.
She is a member of various professional organizations including the American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association, the South Carolina Speech Language and Hearing Association, the National
Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing, and the Corporate Speech Pathology
Network.
Garrett McDanielGarrett McDaniel
Class of 2009
Laurens, South Carolina, native Garrett McDaniel was recently named Director of Public
Affairs at Taft Stettinius & Hollister Law Practice in their Public Affairs Strategies
Group. McDaniel will be based in their Washington, D.C. office.
McDaniel represented District 3 on Laurens County Council from 2015-2021.
Before joining Taft, McDaniel was director of executive scheduling and operations
at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the Biden-Harris
administration. He served as an advisor and led interagency and external planning
for engagements for the Office of the Secretary. McDaniel worked with housing stakeholders
and elected officials around the world to develop and implement strategic engagements
to further the agency’s priorities.
McDaniel is a graduate of South Carolina State University with a bachelor’s degree
in mechanical engineering technology and the New Jersey Institute of Technology with
a Master of Science in transportation engineering.
Dr. Tia JonesDr. Tia Jones
Dr. Tia Jones will be the principal at Catawba Trail Elementary School in the Richland
Two School District effective July 1.
Jones has 25 years of experience in the field of education. She joined the Richland
Two team in 1998 as a special education teaching assistant and later became an early
childhood teacher.
She has served as assistant principal at Catawba Trail Elementary School since 2013.
She was named the 2022 National Outstanding Assistant Principal by the National Association
of Elementary School Principals.
Jones earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from SC State University,
a master’s degree in divergent learning from Columbia College, an Education Specialist
degree in educational leadership from Cambridge College and a Doctor of Education
degree in organizational leadership from Gardner-Webb University.
Send Us Your Class Notes!
Are you an SC State graduate with good news to share? Tell us about career changes,
promotions, awards, births of children and other important milestones.
Email details and a headshot to Sam Watson, SC State director of university relations
at swatson2@scsu.edu
