Camden County College Student Tiara Clyde Shining Example of Student Impact
Photo courtesy of Tiara Clyde.
By Shelja Touri | For AC JosepH Media
BLACKWOOD — Tiara Clyde, an honors communications student at Camden County College, is paving the way for a brighter future through her involvement in various clubs and organizations.
Clyde started classes at the college in 2021 after she graduated from high school. Soon after she founded and is now president of the colleges’ first African American Culture Club when she discovered the school did not have one.
“From my previous involvement with the African American Culture Club in high school, I remembered how much of an impact it had on me and I knew that it would be beneficial to the students at Camden County College,” Clyde said.
She reflected on the demographics of her high school and remembered how she enjoyed knowing other students who looked like her and other Caribbean background students.
Additionally, Clyde is the president of the college’s Student Government Association, vice president of Phi Theta Kappa and member of Alpha Mu Gamma. She is also an NJCAA Tennis Region XIX 3rd Doubles Champion.
Clyde has demonstrated her commitment to making a positive impact on her community.
“Becoming student government president has allowed me to have a voice at Camden County College and use quantifiable action to promote change,” she said.
One of Tiara’s significant achievements has been her role as SGA president is that it has allowed her to advocate for the importance of community colleges and the need for better funding.
She has even had the opportunity to meet with legislators such as former U.S. presidential candidate and current U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., to discuss these issues earlier in the year in Washington D.C as part of the community college summit.
“Community colleges have removed barriers for non-traditional students who want to go back to school,” Clyde said. “I am a philanthropist by nature and serving the needs of the student body has allowed me to gain experience of how I can serve others in a broader arena.
“By serving a school where the ‘non-traditional student’ is our traditional student, I have risen to the challenge of promoting policies that address their needs. Community colleges are often overlooked despite their many benefits.”
Many people believe that attending a community college is a sign of academic failure, which is simply not true. In reality, community colleges offer a wide range of programs and courses that can help students achieve their academic and professional goals.
However, for students like Tiara, it has been important to recognize the value of community colleges and the important role they play in leadership development and growth.
Recently, Clyde spearheaded the Women’s Appreciation Luncheon at Camden County College in Blackwood.
“I was so fortunate to co-host the event with Dru Jones-Edwards, who is the advisor for the African American Culture Club, and Jackie Tenuto, associate dean of students and the advisor for Student Government,” Tiara said.
As an organizer of the event, Clyde was excited to highlight the resilience and consistent progress that women have made and continue to make. She had personally invited influential women in her life to the event, including her mother and grandmother.
Other guests included Mayor Jackie Veasy and Councilwoman Heather Cooper who are on the council of her hometown of Evesham Township. She invited Vinita Ganju who serves on the Evesham Township Human Rights Committee.
“I’m very proud of seeing Tiara grow and progress from when I first saw her three years ago singing ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing,’ at the Evesham Juneteenth event,” Ganju said.
Clyde beamed with pride in hopes that the event guests witnessed the engaged atmosphere of the college community. In addition to her involvement in various clubs and organizations, Camden County College offers Tiara the opportunity to explore her interests through creative writing workshops in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.
Tiara’s involvement has also given her the chance to recognize the importance of internal communication within organizations, a skill that will undoubtedly serve her well in the future. Clyde said that she hopes to attend an Ivy League school to pursue further education.
When asked, Tiara informed said her inspiration comes from her grandmother, Jackie Dorsey, who has been a dedicated advocate for those with substance use disorder and mental health treatment.
Her grandmother’s unwavering support and encouragement have motivated Tiara to step out of her comfort zone and embrace challenges.
“From her long-term dedication to those who are in substance use disorder and mental health treatment to her flavorful and beautifully crafted sweet potato pie, she is amazing,” Clyde said of her grandmother. “She calls me the formidable Tiara Clyde, I call her my hero.”
Overall, Tiara Clyde is a shining example of the impact that one person can make through their involvement in their community and dedication to their passions.
Tiara beamed with pride in hopes that the event guests witnessed the engaged atmosphere of the college community. In addition to her involvement in various clubs and organizations, Camden County College offers Tiara the opportunity to explore her interests through creative writing workshops in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.
Tiara’s involvement has also given her the chance to recognize the importance of internal communication within organizations, a skill that will undoubtedly serve her well in the future. Tiara informed that she hopes to attend an Ivy league school to pursue further education.
When asked, Tiara informed that her inspiration comes from her grandmother, Ms Jackie Dorsey, who has been a dedicated advocate for those in substance use disorder and mental health treatment. Her grandmother’s unwavering support and encouragement have motivated Tiara to step out of her comfort zone and embrace challenges. “From her long term dedication to those who are in substance use disorder and mental health treatment to her flavorful and beautifully crafted sweet potato pie, she is amazing!” Described Tiara. “She calls me the formidable Tiara Clyde, I call her my hero.”
Overall, Tiara Clyde is a shining example of the impact that one person can make through their involvement in their community and dedication to their passions.
Follow Us Today On:
Note from AC JosepH Media: If you like this story and others posted on Front Runner New Jersey.com, lend us a hand so we can keep producing articles like these for New Jersey and the world to see. Click on SUPPORT FRNJ and make a contribution that will do directly in making more stories like this available. Thank you for reading.
About Author
