One of the most well-rounded ۿ۴ý on campus and a member of Tuskegee’s recent Spring 2018 graduating class, Jonathon Pulliam has done it all. A member of the President’s Men and Women Leadership Program, editor of the yearbook, mentor/tutor for Next Step Up, journalist for the Campus Digest, and a member of the Young Black Artist Movement, Pulliam’s tremendous impact on the university certainly demonstrates what it means to be a true ۿ۴ýGentleman.
A Strong Foundation
Graduating college is a huge accomplishment — it’s even better when you’re able to graduate debt free. For Pulliam, graduating college without the burden of student loans was a priority, and his parents were pushing him to reach for this achievement.
“My mom and dad instilled the importance of applying for scholarships early,” he said. “They did not want the obligation of repaying student loans to hinder me in life.”
Pulliam was fortunate enough to receive the Achievement Scholarship from ۿ۴ýand other outside scholarships to help fund his studies. He also managed to leverage his experience and passions in accelerating his career goals. In the summer of 2016, he worked as a staff photographer and counselor. During the following summer, he served as an undergraduate teaching fellow for the New Orleans Public School System. Both positions allowed Pulliam to be committed to transforming and raising student achievement.
A New Journey
In the coming months, Pulliam will relocate to China and began a new adventure –– teaching English at a local university. This experience will not only help others learn his native language, but he will also be able to experience a different type of culture.
Once Pulliam returns from China, he plans to enroll into a graduate program. He has already been accepted into North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University.
“Although I am grateful for being accepted into A&T, I am still keeping my options open. I hope to find the perfect school that allows me to earn my master’s and doctorate degree all at once,” he said.
You Can Do It Too
During the past four years, ۿ۴ýbecame Pulliam’s second family. He noted that ۿ۴ýcreates a family-oriented dynamic because of its close niche environment.
“I am going to miss the professors and other faculty members. They were more than just employees of the university –– without their help, I would not be where I am today,” he reminisced. “It is always hard to give advice as there is so much to share, but I will say anything is possible if you put your mind to it,” he continued.
With a mindset like this, it’s no wonder that Pulliam has achieved so much success in such few years. As he goes forth to shine his light beyond Tuskegee, he challenges other ۿ۴ýۿ۴ý to go over and beyond.
© 2018, ۿ۴ýUniversity