Jakayla Booker
Name: Jakayla Booker
Hometown: Spartanburg, S.C.
Year in School: Junior
Major: Psychology
Minor: Intelligence and National Security
Jakayla Booker describes Coastal Carolina University as “welcoming.” When making her college decision, she specifically cited the “family vibe” on campus as a main factor for becoming a Chanticleer. Starting with her first day as a student, the unique atmosphere motivated Jakayla to become involved and to reach out to others.
“Coastal has had a positive impact on me as far as being able to do a lot of networking,” Jakayla says.
Singling out the organizations she is part of for allowing her to utilize her talents both on campus and in the community, Jakayla is grateful that each one has helped her develop into a leader. Whether it be Women of Color, the CCU chapter of the NAACP or Leadership Challenge, she values the lessons she has learned from each.
But there is one group that has a played a special role in her development. Now the vice president of the Coastal Activities Board (CAB), Jakayla credits the organization for having a significant impact on her tenure at Coastal. Planning a calendar full of fun events for students and then watching them eagerly attend them is an experience that Jakayla describes as “amazing.”
The academic piece of Jakayla’s Coastal story is unique and goal-oriented. She is majoring in psychology and minoring in intelligence and national security studies, a combination she hopes will catch the attention of a certain federal agency. You see, Jakayla wants to be a behavioral analyst for the FBI.
“I like seeing how the mind works,” Jakayla says. “Being able to learn about how we feel and the way our minds are put together to create how we act is really interesting.”
Even though Jakayla seeks a very serious career, she describes herself as silly. The ability to maintain a firm work focus but to stay true to her natural personality will help her be successful and happy as a professional. We look forward to Jakayla’s senior year and wish her the best as she organizes the major CAB events taking place in April.