Zeneya J’Claire Scott will be the 11th member of her family to graduate from SIU Carbondale when she receives a bachelor’s degree in political science at commencement exercises on Saturday, Dec. 14. (Photo by Russell Bailey)
December 12, 2024
Aspiring lawyer to become 11th member of her family to graduate from SIU Carbondale
CARBONDALE, Ill. — For Southern Illinois University Carbondale political science senior Zeneya J’Claire Scott, it is all about family.
When Scott graduates from SIU Carbondale on Saturday, Dec. 14, she will join thousands of Saluki graduates throughout the world. But she will join a more exclusive club: the 11th member of her family to earn an SIU Carbondale degree, dating back to paternal grandfather, Zegary J. Scott’s administration of justice degree in 1975. In addition, 65 Scott family members, many of whom live in Carbondale, will be on hand to celebrate Scott’s achievement at the Banterra Center.
“I have enjoyed my entire experience at SIU, which is marked by a balance of academic achievement, leadership development, personal connections and a celebration of family legacy, making my time here both meaningful and transformative,” said Scott, who is from Jersey City, New Jersey.
A member of the University Honors Program and a McNair Scholar, Scott will graduate cum laude, signifying a cumulative GPA of 3.5 to 3.749. Her bachelor’s degree in political science has a specialization in pre-law, and she will earn a minor in paralegal studies.
Third-generation Saluki family affair
Scott’s twin sister, Zharia, who is majoring in child and family services at SIU Carbondale, will graduate in May 2025. And three more extended family members are currently attending SIU Carbondale.
Zeneya Scott said she was initially reluctant to leave her friends and New Jersey family and “resisted the thought many times.” But her father Zegary J. Scott II, who is originally from Carbondale, emphasized his family ties to his hometown and took her on three campus tours.
“Since I grew up away from my family in Illinois, it wasn’t until I came to college in August 2021 that I fully realized the deep ties my family has to Carbondale,” Zeneya Scott said. “Almost everyone I’ve encountered has asked about my paternal grandfather and other relatives because of my last name. Being here has allowed me to grow much closer to my dad’s family, and together we’ve explored our family legacy at SIU. I’m incredibly proud to be a third-generation Saluki!”
Actively involved
Scott served as an Undergraduate Student Government senator for 17 months, where she helped build USG’s diversity, equity and inclusion policy. In political science, Scott helped revitalize the student pre-law association in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. She also received a 2023 Vince Demuzio Governmental Internship through the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute and was involved with the institute’s Ambassadors Program.
“Zeneya is one of the best students we have had in political science, and I am really fortunate to have worked with her,” said Benajmin Bricker, associate dean for student and curricular affairs in the College of Liberal Arts.
Bricker is the adviser on Scott’s honors thesis — a handbook for how to teach students about voting rights, including how to address recent voting restrictions in some states.
“Her project is excellent. I will be incorporating her ideas next year when we revise and create new content for our civil rights course,” he said.
Elizabeth Donoghue, University Honors Program assistant director, said Scott presented parts of her thesis on voting rights last year at the National Collegiate Honors Council.
“It was wonderful to watch her grow as a student leader while on campus,” Donoghue said. “The honors thesis is an optional endeavor, but it is just another example of her overall dedication to excellence.”
‘Fortunate’ to attend SIU Carbondale
Scott credits several faculty, including Bricker, along with Donoghue and Chancellor Austin Lane with providing motivation. She also believes the university “has excelled in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion; creating a welcoming environment where students feel comfortable and empowered to make meaningful contributions.”
“Looking back on my college journey, I feel deeply fortunate to attend SIU Carbondale and the amazing faculty that I have encountered,” she said. “The welcoming atmosphere of SIU solidified my appreciation for this university and its role in shaping my academic and personal growth.”
Close-knit family
Scott’s mother, Tameeka, who earned a bachelor’s degree in finance in December 1995, and her husband moved to her hometown of Jersey City after they married, but the Scott family has lived in Carbondale for more than a century; the eldest was 102 years old and a schoolteacher, Tameeka Scott said.
The couple’s two daughters attending SIU gave them a “great opportunity to learn the ancestry as well as attain an esteemed education,” she said.
Tameeka Scott recalled that as a student she was introverted, but “loved the sense of community.”
“Until I met my husband, I didn’t appreciate all that Carbondale, Southern Illinois and SIU Carbondale could offer,” she said. “I met many amazing people whom I consider lifelong friends and will forever admire in Carbondale.
“It was a joy for my daughters to experience the love of family and community that I was able to enjoy for a short period of time. Carbondale will always be home. SIU Carbondale was a wonderful experience and taught lessons that I will never forget.”
The power of perseverance
Through her college journey, Zeneya Scott discovered “the power of perseverance and the importance of self-advocacy in meeting my needs and goals” regardless of the “setbacks, trials or tribulations.”
“College has taught me that no one will hand you a map for your educational or career path — you must create it yourself,” she said. “This realization has pushed me to think critically about my plans, ensure they align with my values and passions, and confidently take ownership of my journey. This mindset has shaped not only my academic success but also my personal growth.”
Having her twin sister, Zharia, on campus at the same time “was incredibly comforting, as it meant I never had to navigate new or uncomfortable situations completely alone,” Zeneya Scott said. “Although our colleges were on opposite sides of campus, which limited how often we could meet up, we each maintained our own unique personalities, friendships and extracurricular activities. At the same time, we found ways to intertwine those pursuits, creating moments of connection and support that enriched both of our college experiences.”
Scott plans to work at a financial corporation after she graduates to gain experience and help in preparing for her goal of pursuing a dual J.D./M.B.A.
Tameeka Scott said she’s has been impressed with her daughter’s involvement in the community and political affairs, highlighting her leadership skills “and ability to achieve just about anything.”
“We have always stressed the importance of education, but she took things to another level,” Tameeka Scott said. “I am looking forward to her next phase. Her goal is to become a corporate lawyer — our legacy is shining bright!”
Other members of the Scott family who graduated from SIU Carbondale are:
- Deborah A. Scott, bachelor's and master's degrees in social work, Zeneya’s paternal grandmother.
- Kimberly Scott McBride, bachelor’s degree in social work and master’s degree rehabilitation services, paternal great-aunt.
- Tabitha J. Scott, bachelor’s degree in university studies and master’s degree in social work, paternal aunt.
- Quiana Jackson Johnson, bachelor’s degree in business administration, cousin.
- Valerie Scott, bachelor’s degree in university studies, paternal great-aunt.
- Shacon Scott, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work, cousin.
- Terryono Scott, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work, cousin.
- Shandon Scott-Rivers, bachelor’s degree, social work, cousin.