Meet Malcolm Salters, a new Clyburn Scholar at SC State University
The Kingstree High School and Williamsburg Technical College graduate is majoring
in psychology.
And although he is in his first year of studies at South Carolina State University, he already has one college degree under his belt, thanks to a dual enrollment program between Kingstree High School and Williamsburg Technical College.
With so much experience and a record of excellence in academics, athletics and public service, he was a perfect candidate to join SC State’s Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College as a 2025 Clyburn Scholar and Honors College Presidential Scholar.
“Malcolm Salters embodies the vision of the Clyburn Honors College — grounded in excellence, integrity, and service,” said Dr. William H. Whitaker Jr., the Honors College’s dean. “He aspires to use his education to uplift others and lead with purpose at the local, state, and national levels.”
The Salters, South Carolina, resident is majoring in psychology at SC State. He plans to pursue a law degree and ultimately serve as a state representative, using his education to advocate for equity, mental health awareness, and community empowerment.
En route to becoming class valedictorian at Kingstree, Salters served as president of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and was named to the All-State Academic Team in 2025. His academic record includes consistent placement on the Dean’s List and Superintendent’s Honor Roll. He was also recognized as a South Carolina STEM Signing Day honoree, and he earned the prestigious Mr. Blazer Award for academic and athletic achievement.
A multi-sport athlete and academic standout, Salters captained both the varsity football team and the Academic Challenge Team, guiding his teammates to state and national-level competitions. In track and field, he became the regional champion in shot put, placed seventh at the state tournament as a junior and sixth as a senior.
His leadership extended beyond the classroom through his roles as a member of the Williamsburg County School District Federal Programs Leadership Team, Future Business Leaders of America, and the Beta Club, where he completed over 50 hours of service.
Salters' commitment to service and policy was further demonstrated through his internship with state Sen. Ronnie A. Sabb’s Law Group, his participation in Palmetto Boys State, and his volunteer work with community initiatives such as the Darius Rush Christmas Dinner Giveaway and local breast cancer awareness events.
He credits his father, a federal counselor, for instilling in him a deep understanding of the connection between mindset and behavior — an insight that inspired his pursuit of psychology and law.
“When you change the way you think, you change the way you act,” Salters said.
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.