Before Serenity Miller found her footing, college felt more confusing than exciting. A standout student with a bright smile and a deep love for sports, Serenity dreamed of pursuing a degree in Sports Medicine, but despite her drive, the path forward felt foggy. As a soon-to-be first-generation college student, the weight of navigating it all on her own was heavy.
“I felt supported,” she shared, “but I needed someone who could really focus on me and my goals. I was stressing a lot more than I let on.”
Like so many high school seniors who dream big but don’t always have a clear map, Serenity faced a mountain of decisions from applications, financial aid, housing, multiple deadlines and questions she wasn’t sure how to ask. Behind her determined spirit was a quiet anxiety, the kind that comes from wanting so badly to succeed but not knowing if you’re taking the right steps.
That all changed when she was connected to Frederick Keenan, Spartanburg Academic Movement’s College Success Navigator. Frederick brought more than just advice, he brought time, patience, and an unwavering belief in her potential. “Frederick helped me understand things no one had taken the time to explain before,” she said. “From time management tips to filling out forms, he was just always there.”
Frederick, who works with students in the Highland and Northside communities alongside high school guidance counselors, knows firsthand how vital that kind of support can be. His work is directly aligned with one of the three core focus areas in our community’s Movement 2030 plan: ensuring students are on a path to life success and career readiness by increasing postsecondary enrollment and completion. The goals are bold, raising postsecondary enrollment from 61% to 70%, adding 1,000 degrees annually, re-engage 5,000 adults in education or certification programs, and awarding 500 additional career-ready certifications by the year 2030.
Frederick does this by meeting students where they are, literally and emotionally, and walks alongside them as they navigate the often confusing, sometimes intimidating process of getting to and through college. “Our students have the talent,” Frederick said. “What they need is someone to walk the journey with them. Someone who shows up, listens, and says, ‘You’ve got this.”
For Serenity, Frederick was that someone.
“When I first met Serenity, she seemed to have a clear vision for what she wanted after high school. She was in the Spartanburg County Early College High School program at Spartanburg Community College and already earning college credits, so she was definitely on the path. But what Serenity needed wasn’t just more information, it was more support. She told me early on, ‘I can never have enough support.’ That stuck with me.”
And now? Serenity is headed to Presbyterian College on a full scholarship. She’ll be majoring in Biology with a concentration in Sports Medicine, and she’s already been named a Jacob Scholar, an honor that recognizes her promise, dedication, and academic achievements.
“I’ve noticed I’m more ambitious about college,” she reflects. “And I can’t wait to see what’s ahead.”
Her story is more than a personal success; it’s a reflection of what’s possible when community wraps its arms around its youth. When we invest in students like Serenity, we’re not just helping them fill out forms, we’re telling them they matter. That their dreams are valid. That they don’t have to walk alone.
Because of this type of support, Serenity found more than a path forward, she found her confidence, her voice, and a future she’s excited to claim.
Thank you for helping make that future possible by investing in Spartanburg County’s Movement 2030 plan. For every student like Serenity, there’s a moment when they question if they’re enough. Your support is what helps turn that question into a bold and confident yes. Because everyone can thrive here!
