A self-proclaimed writer and lover of stories, there was never a doubt in her mind that Serena Johnson wanted to pursue an English major in college. She harkens it back to fifth grade when she read The Hunger Games for the first time.
“I was so obsessively, deeply in love with those characters, and it consumed my whole world,” Johnson said. “At each age I’ve found a new version of that experience.”
A similar experience of connection is why Johnson claims she’ll “always sing the praises of the English department.” A small major at a big school, English offered Johnson an opportunity to connect with peers, faculty, and the stories they read together in a way that she didn’t expect.
“The English department has been such a lovely, wonderful bubble at Clemson,” Johnson said, discussing the small classes, dedicated professors, and classroom environment. “Conversation is encouraged, but so is safe space. It’s this very close-knit bond, and such an unusual environment for a college classroom, but I think it has been one of the most meaningful.”
A Versatile Clemson Experience
Though confident in her choice of major, Johnson was initially hesitant on a specific career path. Law was an option, but not her only interest. The uncertainty didn’t phase her.
“I knew that even if I didn’t end up going into law, English is so versatile that it’d be a good option no matter what I do with it later.”
Johnson’s Clemson Experience has reflected the benefit of versatility. A brand communications minor, Johnson often found herself applying the same close reading and critical thinking skills that she used when reading and discussing a piece of literature to her branding projects.
“Brand communications is a really good combination with English, especially with copywriting and advertising,” Johnson said. “There are so many paths you can take it down. And they always need a writer!”
Johnson also gained hands-on experience with client work through the Pearce Center for Professional Communication, working with multiple clients on a variety of media and editorial projects. She worked as an Assistant Editor on the South Carolina Review (SCR) literary magazine as well, getting real-world experience in the publishing industry.
Grounded in Storytelling
On track to graduate earlier than expected, Johnson added a creative writing minor halfway through her college career. The classes quickly reminded Johnson why she chose to study English in the first place.
“In the throes of academic burnout and things like that, I lost the big picture,” she explained, discussing the overwhelmingly supportive experience of having other people read her fiction writing. “That was such a tangible reminder of why I chose this major. I was reminded how much I enjoy it and how at the heart it is of what I want to do.” Her dedication to writing earned Johnson the 2026 Phi Kappa Phi Certificate of Merit from the College of Arts and Humanities.
Johnson’s recentered passion for storytelling is driving her next chapter as she pursues a Master of Arts in English here at Clemson University. Whether she’s teaching, researching or writing in the future, there is one thing Johnson hopes to keep front and center: the community building experience of storytelling.
“Stories are so powerful. They have the ability, not just to unite us, but to make the world feel small and relatable, especially when we have access to so much information on our phones. Stories remind us of our humanity.”
