Graduate Spotlight: A Sit Down with Recent Graduate Jada Banks

ORANGEBURG, SC – South Carolina State recent graduate Jada Banks, has made strides on and off the track, which catapulted her into an MEAC Champion and one of the top honor students in the conference. We had a chance to catchup with the super star, who set several SCSU records, for a one-on-one conversation about her journey.

Q: Entering your first year at SC State, did you ever think you would gain the success you have accomplished throughout your career.

A: When I first came to SC State, I was extremely eager and excited to run. I did not initially think that I would break any of the cross country or track and field records, but as time progressed, I gained confidence.

Q. What has your experience been like here at SC State?

A: My experience at SC state has been transformative. I have had the opportunity to connect with wonderfully like-minded individuals that embody the essence of excellence. I have also had the privilege of being challenged in ways that have matured me mentally and physically.

Q. What are your plans after graduation?

A: After graduation, I will be attending Duke University School of Medicine to obtain a master's degree in biomedical sciences, then heading to medical school at Greenville School of Medicine to become a medical doctor.

Q. What is your greatest accomplishment here at SC State on and off the track?

A: My greatest accomplishment on the track is winning MVP for the MEAC 2022 outdoor track season, where I placed first in the 5k and 10k and third in the 1500 meters. My greatest accomplishment off the track was being selected to present my research on a protein involved in breast cancer regulation at MUSC for a former Nobel Prize winner, Dr. William G. Kaelin.

Q. What is your favorite thing to do besides running?

A. When I'm not ripping and running, I like to go for walks, write poetry, and enjoying music and nature with friends.

Q. What is your favorite food?

A. My favorite food is chicken parmesan, and a close second is sweet potatoes fries; it hits every time.

Q. What is one interesting thing about you that most people do not know?

A. An interesting thing about me is that I grew up pursuing dance and music. I had sung in chorus and choirs for over half of my life.

Q. Who is the most influential person or persons in your life?

A. The most influential persons in my life are my dad and my mother. My dad is an electrical engineer that came from very humble beginnings. He always taught me to work diligently and always look beyond the cast of my feet because there is always more within this world to experience and gain. My mother passed away when I was younger, but she taught me patience and love and always encouraged me to be true to my core.

Q. Why did you choose South Carolina State?

A. I came to SC State because I got an athletic scholarship and an academic scholarship with the honors college, also I wanted to attend an HBCU.

Q. What is your most memorable moment as a student at SC State?

A. My most memorable moment as a student at SC State was experiencing the good vibes of Homecoming in 2021 after missing it for a year due to COVID-19.

Q. Who is your favorite celebrity or professional athlete?

A. My favorite professional athlete is Alyson Felix; she is mad tough and very humble.

Q. What is your favorite song that describes you as a person and athlete?

A song that describes me as an athlete is Champion by Kanye West.

Q. What is a quote or motto that you live by?

A. A quote I live by is, "You can't stand up unless you on your own two feet". – Jada Banks

Q. Finished the sentence Jada Bank is a “”?

A. Jada Banks is a hard worker and a ray of light.