Aidan Masotti, Bluffton High School

Aidan is a Senior who plans to attend Clemson University and earn a degree in mechanical engineering. He believes young people should develop as many skills as possible to prepare for a successful and adaptable future. Aidan wanted to become a College Process Ambassador to connect with other students going through the same process and help them navigate their journey. He believes barriers to college can begin early in high school and wants students to know that there are multiple paths to higher education. Aidan is also passionate about STEM and robotics. 

As a senior, Aidan plans to assist his former middle school Robotics STEM teacher in inspiring younger students to explore science, math, engineering, and robotics. He believes making learning fun is truly the key to success! A fun fact about Aidan is he is a semi-professional photographer and play a few instruments. Aidan is excited to share his experiences and help other students see that their future has more possibilities than they may realize.

Alex Gigis, James Island Charter High School

Alex Gigis is a junior who plans to attend college and pursue a degree in either science or mathematics. While she is still exploring her specific career path, she hopes to enter a field where she can help others, make meaningful discoveries, and create a positive impact on her community and beyond.

Alex understands that the college application process can feel overwhelming, especially for students who are unfamiliar with the steps involved. Through her own experiences, she has learned the importance of starting early, staying organized, and creating a plan to manage applications, deadlines, scholarships, essays, and college decisions. As a College Process Ambassador, Alex hopes to support students who may feel stressed or unsure about where to begin. Her goal is to make the college application process feel more manageable and help students recognize that they do not have to navigate it alone.

Outside of academics, Alex enjoys playing both basketball and tennis. Through her role as an ambassador, she looks forward to encouraging her peers to pursue higher education with confidence and preparation.

Jayden Ockert, HCS Scholars Academy

Jayden is a senior who plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree on a pre-med track, with interests in biology, chemistry, and psychology.

Throughout high school, Jayden has worked hard to prepare for her future by staying organized and keeping track of her extracurricular activities, awards, work experience, community service, and publications. She also takes dual enrollment classes and has spent the past two years working in a college biochemistry lab!

Jayden believes one of the best things about higher education is the opportunity to explore. College gives students the flexibility to discover new interests, change direction, and find the path that is right for them.

As a College Process Ambassador, Jayden hopes to pay forward the encouragement she has received and help other students feel confident pursuing their goals and ambitions.

Jerimiah Pendergrass, Kingstree High School

Jerimiah is a Senior who plans to attend a four-year university and major in neuroscience. Outside the classroom, Jerimiah serves as President of FBLA and Beta Club, Vice President of SGA, Vice President and founding member of the Blazers Gentlemen’s Club, and Co-President of the Academic Challenge Team. He also volunteers through school organizations, gives tours, ushers at events, and serves his community through various service opportunities. Jerimiah has earned several accomplishments through his involvement in FBLA, including multiple first-place regional finishes and a third-place finish at the state level in Public Speaking. Through his leadership and service experiences, he has developed a passion for creating opportunities and helping others succeed.

Jerimiah believes higher education creates opportunities for stability, growth, and personal development. He became a College Process Ambassador because he understands how overwhelming the college application process can be and wants to use what he has learned to make the process easier for other students.
He is excited to share his experiences, encourage others, and help students reach goals they once thought were out of reach!

Jordyn Sanders, Greenwood High School

Jordyn Sanders as a returning College Process Ambassador for the SC Commission on Higher Education. Jordyn is a senior who plans to attend college and pursue a career in the medical field, with speech pathology as one area she is considering.

Jordyn’s passion for helping others grew through her experiences assisting aging family members, inspiring her to give back to her community through hands-on service. She believes higher education is important because it allows students to expand their knowledge, discover more about themselves, and gain additional resources and opportunities for success.

As a returning College Process Ambassador, Jordyn is excited to continue sharing her experiences and helping other students navigate their college journeys with confidence!

Kayla Koval, Midland Valley High School

Kayla Koval is a Senior and will graduate in May 2027 with both her high school diploma and an associate degree! After graduation, Kayla plans to major in English and pursue a pre-law track as she works toward her future career goals.

Kayla believes that education is imperative to living a successful and fulfilling life. She recognizes that higher education provides students with opportunities to explore their interests, learn more about themselves, expand their professional possibilities, and create a stronger foundation for personal fulfillment and quality of life.

Kayla decided to become a College Process Ambassador because she believes supporting students during this important time is essential to their success. As someone currently navigating the college process herself, she understands the challenges and uncertainties students can face. She hopes to use her own experiences to encourage and support other students as they take their next steps toward higher education.

Kayla is excited to be part of the College Process Ambassador team and looks forward to helping students feel more confident, informed, and supported throughout their college journey!

Kennedy Hampton, Irmo High School

Kennedy Hampton is a returning College Process Ambassador for the SC Commission on Higher Education!
Kennedy is a senior who plans to major in economics or political science before pursuing a career as an attorney.

As a College Process Ambassador, Kennedy looks forward to creating engaging content and helping make the college application process more accessible and less overwhelming for students. She is excited to share her experiences and help other students feel more confident as they navigate their college journey.

A fun fact about Kennedy is that she serves as her school’s Student Body President! We are thrilled to have Kennedy back on the team and can’t wait to see the impact she makes this year!

Savannah Epps, May River High School

Savannah is a Junior and her college goals include pursuing a double major in business, ideally entrepreneurship, and a writing-focused field, such as creative writing. She hopes to combine her passion for business and creativity as she continues exploring her future career path.

Savannah is actively involved in leadership and academic opportunities at school and throughout South Carolina. She serves as the President of her school’s DECA chapter and participated in the SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities summer program for Creative Writing. She is also a participant in the SC Pinckney Leadership Program, where she continues to develop her leadership skills and connect with other student leaders.

Savannah wants to become a College Process Ambassador because she genuinely enjoys the college process and helping others navigate important decisions about their future. She wants to be someone students know they can rely on for guidance and encouragement throughout their college journey.

A fun fact about Savannah is that she is a published poet! Outside of her many leadership and academic activities, her favorite hobby is reading.

Savannah is excited to serve as a College Process Ambassador and looks forward to using her experiences to help other students feel confident and supported as they navigate their own college journeys.

Da'shawn Bradley, W.J. Keenan High School

Da'shawn Bradley is a returning College Process Ambassador for the SC Commission on Higher Education!

Da'shawn is a senior who plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. He is also a member of his school’s marching band. He believes higher education is an important step toward building a successful career and creating a life of opportunity. He also values the experiences and connections students gain throughout their college journey.

As a returning College Process Ambassador, Da'shawn wants to show students that they can start anywhere, at any time, and continue growing toward their goals. He hopes to encourage others to believe in their potential and recognize that their journey can lead to something great.

We are excited to have Da'Shawn back on the team and look forward to seeing him inspire students throughout the year!

Rhyan Kinsler,  W.J. Keenan High School

Rhyan Kinsler is a junior who plans to attend a four-year college to pursue a degree in engineering. Rhyan hopes to design and develop machines that improve people’s lives, solve real-world problems, and create innovations that positively impact communities and the planet. Rhyan believes higher education provides students with the specialized skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their chosen careers.

As a College Process Ambassador, Rhyan hopes to encourage students to consider post-secondary education, provide guidance on preparing for the college application process, and help make the journey less stressful. Having once been unsure where to begin when gathering information for college applications, Rhyan understands the importance of having access to reliable resources and guidance. Through this experience, Rhyan has gained valuable knowledge and hopes to share it with peers, so they feel more confident taking their next steps toward higher education.