Student spotlight: Nikia Franklin

USC Aiken Psychology major, Nikia Franklin, was named the Aiken Sunrise Rotary Club’s student of the month.

Hailing from Columbia, 22-year-old is an active campus citizen. She is the diversity team lead for the student life office, former president of the USCA chapter of NAACP and a member of the Mu Lambda chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Franklin values loyalty, consideration and knowledge. In fact, this is what drives her to succeed.

“I come from a family that stressed the value of education because of the power that it has and what the lack of education can do,” she said. “My great grandmother didn't have the opportunity to pursue a higher education because of her race, gender and family circumstances, but she was able to make the best of a bad situation and lead others.”

Expected to graduate this May, she will be active around school up until the end. She is especially busy this month because it is Black History Month. Her office works diligently to make sure all minorities feel included and valued on campus. Black History Month holds a special place in her heart.

“Often Black History Month is over looked or focused on the system of slavery,” said Franklin. “However, it goes far beyond that. To me, it is one of the many ways of bringing the greatness of the African-American community to the forefront of the world.”