High School for Health Professions Valedictorian Jayrah Bostic chooses SC State, pursues passion for nuclear engineering
Bostic has accepted a Presidential Scholarship through SC State's Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College.
Ultimately, the Orangeburg native’s decision to attend South Carolina State University came down to three things: family ties, campus familiarity, and a growing fascination with nuclear energy.
“It was the familiarity because I have alumni in my family and I attended Felton Laboratory Charter School,” Bostic said, referring to the PreK-8 school on the SC State campus.
Though larger institutions like Clemson University were on his radar, Bostic said
meeting Dr. Musa Danjaji — chairman of the Department of Engineering and academic coordinator of the Nuclear Engineering Program at SC State — helped solidify his decision.
“I really liked, I guess you’d call it the vibe – interacting with him and getting
to meet one of his students,” Bostic said.
Perseverance in his high school studies landed Bostic a Presidential Scholarship through SC State’s Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College.
“Jayrah exemplifies the vision of the Clyburn Honors College,” said Dr. William H. Whitaker Jr., dean of the Honors College. “He represents the type of scholar-leader we aim to cultivate — intellectually curious, socially conscious, and driven to serve.”
When he starts classes in the fall, Bostic will have an elite experience. SC State is the only institution in South Carolina and the only HBCU (historically Black college or university) in the nation offering a four-year degree in nuclear engineering.
“His decision to pursue nuclear engineering at SC State speaks volumes about his courage and forward-thinking mindset. We are honored to welcome him into our distinguished community of Presidential Scholars,” Whitaker said.
From gamer to valedictorian
Bostic’s academic transformation began in middle school, when he realized his video game habits were holding him back. While he still enjoys games in moderation, he knew something had to change when school responsibilities piled up.
That shift in focus helped pave the way for his academic rise — one that came with serious commitment.
“A lot of sleepless nights, a lot of cutting down other activities to focus on my work,” he said. “I had to learn that I can’t always do what I want to when I have to get an assignment done.”
The biggest challenge? Adjusting to the demands of dual enrollment and an increasingly packed schedule.
“Probably it was just adapting to the new schedule of having Accelerate classes along with my in-person classes,” he said.
Rather than a traditional four-block schedule, Bostic took on additional classes to earn dual enrollment credits from Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College and Coker College. So, he will enter SC State with a head start toward earning his degree.
Catching the STEM bug
While he was not specifically interested in health care careers, he followed his older brother and friends to the High School for Health Professions, a public charter school in Orangeburg. He found himself drawn to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through his coursework and peers.
It was through the Accelerate program at the South Carolina Governor’s School that his passion began to take shape.
“I got to meet more people from outside of Orangeburg and really, really expand my knowledge on engineering, math and science,” Bostic said. “One of my pre-engineering teachers told me about nuclear engineering and how it actually is a lot safer than portrayed as in the media.
“So, I wanted to learn more about it,” he said.
He was intrigued by nuclear power’s potential to complement other sustainable energy sources.
“I’ve been learning about more efficient and less, less dangerous ways of energy,” Bostic said. “I always heard about wind, solar — but nuclear is one of the energies that, like I said, was kind of marked as like that dangerous type of energy, and I’m just hearing it’s actually very reliable and efficient on par with wind and solar. I wanted to learn more about it.”
Beyond the classroom, Bostic was a member of the National Honor Society, took part in school community service events and spent several years in scouting.
In his free time, Bostic explores another side of himself.
“I guess you could say I’m a creative. I like putting a twist on things. I’m kind of an artist,” he said, adding that he likes drawing fantasy characters.
Ready for the Honors College
Now a member of SC State’s Honors College, Bostic is eager to see how the experience will shape his future.
“I’m excited to see what it’s like being an Honors College [student],” he said.
Asked what he hopes to gain from it, he responded: “For the real, real world after college.”
The Presidential Scholars designation is SC State’s most prestigious undergraduate academic award and is extended only to the most accomplished and promising incoming students. As a Presidential Scholar, Bostic will receive a full scholarship, opportunities for advanced research, and one-on-one academic and leadership mentoring through the Honors College.
The addition of Bostic to the incoming class of Honors Scholars aligns with SC State’s strategic goal to recruit and retain high-achieving students prepared to lead in today’s global society.
“Jayrah’s commitment to academic excellence and leadership makes him a perfect fit for SC State University and for the rigorous expectations of the Clyburn Honors College,” said Dr. Windy Stephenson, the Honors College’s executive director of academic and scholarship services. “We are not only welcoming a brilliant young man, but we are also preparing to support and elevate the next generation of innovators in STEM and beyond.”
As Bostic enters this next chapter, he brings with him a rigorous academic background, an artist’s perspective, and a curiosity about the world’s energy future — all rooted in the community that raised him.
About the Honors College
The Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College is committed to fostering academic excellence, leadership, and professional development among high-achieving students at South Carolina State University. The Honors College provides unique opportunities for research, internships, and graduate school preparation; ensuring students are well-equipped to excel in their future careers.
For more information about SC State’s Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College and future opportunities, 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.