Meet Elijah Clemmons
Student Spotlight
Meet Elijah Clemmons; a 20-year-old human services major from Zebulon, Georgia, president of GSC Toastmasters International Club, council member for Gordon State BCM (Baptist Collegiate Ministries) and member of Gordon State College’s African-American Male Initiative (AAMI) program.
Clemmons, an ambitious student, sets goals before the school year even begins to give himself a head start. One of the goals he set includes being a “leader of the pack” — and led he has. Since his arrival at Gordon in the fall of 2019, he has become deeply involved in the Highlander community through participating in various clubs and programs. Not only was he selected to serve as president of GSC Toastmasters for the 2021-22 term, but he was also recognized as the 2020 Most Valuable Toastmaster and the Area Council Officer of the Year. Additionally, he was one of only two students who were chosen to speak at Gordon’s annual State of the College address about his scholarship, which he lists as one of his favorite memories here.
When he was younger, Clemmons wanted to be a sports agent or an accountant due to his love of sports and math. However, as he expanded his knowledge on different careers, his plans changed. Now, he expects to graduate with his Bachelor of Science in Human Services in the spring of 2023. Following this achievement, he intends to work as a community outreach manager and help others through his career.
So far, Clemmons’ favorite classes at Gordon have been Introduction to Sociology and Introduction to Psychology. These classes engaged him from the start and gave him an idea of the career he wanted to pursue. Outside of his classes, he enjoys hanging out in the game room and playing pool with his friends or simply staying in his room to play video games, listen to music or read the Bible.
Clemmons chose to attend Gordon for the impact he felt he could make at a small college and his wish to be a “shining light” for others coming here. Now, he says being a Highlander means the world to him and he is where he belongs. He feels like the Highlander community took him in with open arms and he wants to make sure others feel the same. Addressing prospective students, Clemmons says, “Gordon wants you to be here. A small college like Gordon makes you feel loved and like you belong.” He adds that you also get the unique opportunity for your professors to know you on a first-name basis. To this point, he says, “you might get an opportunity from a club or professor, and that right there could mean the world to you.”