The Founder

Kennedy Elise Perry

Kennedy Elise Perry is a native of Columbia, South Carolina. Her extensive leadership and interpersonal skills come from extensive involvement in her undergraduate college-sponsored organizations, student-led organizations, work-study opportunities, and working with various nonprofits; Miss Perry served as the PC NAACP Chapter President for the 2022-2023 school year, SGA Vice President of Operations, the Violin tutor for the Laurens County Academic of Arts Music, is a Bluefish Pastoral Care Leader, served on the PC Orchestra as first chair violinist of which she has played for over 16 years. She also served on the PC Academic Honor Council, is a residential assistant, is an ROTC cadet on PC’s campuses, and is on the dean’s list. She is pursuing a career in law, nonprofits, public service, restoration management efforts, advocacy, ethics, equity & justice for deprived and marginalized communities.

Miss Perry has always been a dedicated servant leader, justice seeker, and fighter for freedom. Before coming to Presbyterian College, she held the SCASC South Carolina Association of Student Councils District Four Chair position, where she represented Richland, Kershaw, Fairfield, and Lexington counties for the state Student Government Association. As chair, she coordinated a leadership conference hosting over 500+ students across counties. Additional leadership efforts include the community restoration building of new playgrounds here at the Calvert Community Park in Clinton, SC, PC NAACP President where she has helped lead the 2022 Unity March, participated in the “Being Black at a PWI,” panelists where over 1⁄3 of the PC Campus attended in an alliance of promoting equality and inclusion, participated in the VOW Women’s Domestic Violence Panel in partnership with the Lauren County Domestic Violence Shelter, Charity Kickball Tournament with various other NAACP collegiate chapters, Zeta Tau Alpha and PC NAACP Snack Drive, multiple community service opportunities and more impacting the Clinton and Lauren’s community.

She is the proud daughter of Keisha L. Perry and Kelvin Art Perry. Kennedy currently serves as a combat engineer in the Army National Guard Reserve. Kennedy is passionate about public policy, service, politics, law, human and civil rights advocacy, environmental conservation, religion, faith studies, ethics, morals, and justice. In her free time, she enjoys playing her violin, reading new books, exploring new places and foods, and spending time with her family, friends, and two special fur buddies- Shih Tzus, Kingston, and Kasey.

Kennedy is a firm believer in God and leans on the wise words of her uncle: “Always do your best, keep trying, never give up. Quitting isn't an option. Be a leader, not a follower."

Awards & Recognitions

  • In 1985, Terry McCoy began a 23 year term as the Executive Director of SCASC. In those 23 years, Terry inspired us all to see the leader in ourselves. He was a towering man who believed in young people and how awesome kids are. He trained us, he corrected us, he encouraged us, but most of all he cared for us and had a passion for this organization. SCASC was a major part his life. (After Mr. McCoy’s untimely death due to cancer in December 2008, the Terry A. McCoy Leadership Hall of Fame was established).

    Each year, the advisor from an SCASC member school can nominate one student from his/her school that meets the Terry McCoy qualities that he so believed in teamwork, humility, courage, being a good listener, thinking smart, respecting opinions, sharing with others, meeting deadlines, leadership skills, working and living with a smile on your face, passion and enthusiasm.

  • The Bates Award was established in 2008 by family and friends of Stephen Potts Bates, Presbyterian College Class of 1984, in recognition of his life as a devoted husband and father, and as servant leader to the people of South Carolina. The award is presented to a rising junior or rising senior with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who shows promise, commitment, and a desire to pursue lifelong commitment to public service through profession or civic involvement at Presbyterian College.

  • On January 14, 2023 Kennedy Elise Perry was honored and recognized for her outstanding leadership and community building efforts at Presbyterian College and Lauren’s County Community. She is the PC NAACP Collegiate Chapter President for the 2021-2024 academic year. This award was giving for her outstanding efforts in confronting racism with justice for black and brown students at Presbyterian College.

  • On February 16th, 2023 Kennedy Elise Perry was recognized for her outstanding leadership and community building efforts at Presbyterian College and Lauren’s County Community.

  • On April 20th, 2023 Kennedy Elise Perry was recognized for her outstanding leadership and dedication to making Presbyterian College a better place for all.

  • On April 20th, 2023 Kennedy Elise Perry was recognized for her outstanding leadership and dedication to making Presbyterian College a better place for all.