Community, Engagement, Belonging and Access; OUR Clemson

Actor Lamman Rucker, star of Tyler Perry films, to headline Virtual Student Summit

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Clemson University’s Division of Inclusion and Equity will advance the University’s land-grant mission by hosting a virtual event designed to light a spark of interest for higher education in underrepresented middle and high school students. The Virtual Student Summit is open to any middle and high school student and will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, November 6.

Actor Lamman Rucker will be the keynote speaker. He began his career on the daytime soap operas “As the World Turns” and “All My Children” and is best known for roles in the Tyler Perry films “Why Did I Get Married?” “Why Did I Get Married Too?” and “Meet the Browns.” In 2016, he began starring as Jacob Greenleaf in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama series “Greenleaf.”

This year’s Summit will build on the success of the first virtual Summit in April, which attracted more than 400 participants from 15 South Carolina counties. In an evaluation after the event, 85 percent of the participants reported it made them more interested in college.

“This Summit made going to college seem less scary,” noted one participant on their evaluation. “I have always wanted to go to college, and now that I am in this stage of life where it is basically around the corner, my fear got the best of me, which made me less interested in going. After this Summit, I have calmed my mind and have regained my strong desire  to attend college. I really loved the meetings that I went to since it helped me remember that I am not the only one going through the stress of upcoming college life.”

Attendees will hear from a variety of speakers in interactive sessions about the college admissions process, financial aid options, strategies for academic success in high school, leadership development, resume building and more.

Two girls pose with the Tiger at a previous in-person summit.

“Even though we have been exposing K-12 students to higher education for years, the last 18 months have shown us we need to be flexible with how we get information to students and families,” said Amber Lange, executive director of College Preparation and Outreach. “These virtual summits make it easier for students from all over the state to learn about opportunities that are available to them, no matter their zip code, and that has always been our goal.”

Students also will hear from colleges and universities from around South Carolina during the virtual college fair.

The summit is free for any seventh- to 12th-grade student. Register at this link.