Approximately 380 degrees will be awarded Friday at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.
ORANGEBURG, S.C. — South Carolina State University National Alumni Association President Yolanda Williams
and Student Government Association President Zaria Tucker will be the keynote speakers
at South Carolina State University’s Spring Commencement on Friday, May 8, 2026, at
Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.
SC State expects to award approximately 380 undergraduate and graduate degrees to
the Class of 2026. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. with SC State President Alexander
Conyers presiding.
“Commencement is a moment to recognize our students’ hard work and readiness for what
comes next,” Conyers said. “Both Ms. Williams and Ms. Tucker bring perspectives that
will add meaning to that moment. They each represent leadership, service and a commitment
to advancing this institution and its students.
“Ms. Williams is a loyal daughter of SC State whose dedication to her alma mater is
evident in her continued service to our students and this institution,” Conyers said.
“She is a strong and consistent advocate for student success, and her leadership reflects
a deep commitment to the mission of SC State.
“Zaria Tucker has distinguished herself as a thoughtful and effective student leader
who understands both the responsibility and the impact of her role,” Conyers said.
“During her time as Student Government Association president, she approached leadership
with clarity, purpose and a strong sense of accountability to her peers.”
In the event of inclement weather, SC State will move the ceremony to Smith-Hammond-Middleton
Memorial Center, and each graduating senior will be issued five tickets for guests.
Campus entrances will open at 6:30 a.m. Commencement seating will begin at 8:30 a.m.
About Zaria Tucker
Tucker, a senior psychology major from Clinton, South Carolina, will serve as the
student speaker, representing the voice of the Class of 2026.
A highly engaged campus leader, Tucker recently completed her term as the 2025–2026
Student Government Association president and now holds the distinction of immediate
past president. During her tenure, she also served as the student representative on
the university’s Board of Trustees, advocating for student interests at the highest
level of institutional decision-making.
Over four years of service in student government, Tucker demonstrated strong leadership,
strategic vision and a deep commitment to student advocacy at a historically Black
university with a proud legacy.
She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., where she served as first vice
president and chair of membership intake for the Alpha Xi Chapter. Her campus involvement
also includes the National Council of Negro Women, the NAACP and service as a student
orientation leader, mentoring incoming students.
A three-time Presidential Scholar, Tucker has also represented SC State nationally
as a two-time participant in the National Association of Student Affairs Professionals
Student Leadership Institute. She currently serves on the National HBCU Student Government
Association Presidents’ Consortium, working with peers across the country to strengthen
student advocacy.
Known for her communication skills and ability to bring people together, Tucker has
led initiatives that elevated student engagement and reinforced a campus culture where
students feel heard and valued. Her leadership reflects a commitment to service, integrity
and the continued advancement of SC State.
About Yolanda Williams
An experienced leader in the Charlotte, North Carolina-area banking community, Williams
serves as a senior lead analytics consultant at Wells Fargo, bringing her expertise
in data analytics and strategic consulting to the financial services industry.
Her story is one of continuity, family, education and service, and a steady belief
in the value of SC State.
From growing up in Orangeburg with the campus woven into daily life to returning as
a student and now leading its National Alumni Association, Williams’ connection to
SC State has been steady and enduring.
Both of Williams’ parents earned degrees from SC State, and Williams followed in their
footsteps, earning a degree in mathematics with a minor in computer science in 1995.
She later completed a master’s degree at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
During her studies at SC State, she completed an internship with the Central Intelligence
Agency in Washington, D.C., and was offered a full-time position after graduation.
She later worked as a government contractor supporting agencies including the FBI
and U.S. Customs before relocating to Charlotte, where she became active with the
local alumni chapter.
She has served the SCSUNAA at both the chapter and national levels, including roles
as Charlotte Chapter president, chair of the Technology Committee, financial secretary
and second vice president. She assumed the role of national president in August 2025.
Williams’ deep love for SC State and her dedication to student success continue to
guide her service, ensuring future generations of Bulldogs benefit from the same opportunities
that shaped her journey.
