Purpose Over Pace: How Shauntavia Clinton Made a Doctorate her Destination
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — For FAMU employee Shauntavia Clinton, the path to earning a doctorate was never linear, nor was it rushed. From military service to higher education, her story reflects the importance of trusting the process, even when the destination was not fully clear.
Born and raised in Monticello, Florida, Clinton, a U.S. Army veteran, enlisted directly after graduating from high school and served six years before transitioning into higher education. She earned an associate degree, followed by a bachelor’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in applied behavior analysis, and a master’s degree in educational psychology.
Last Friday, Clinton crossed the stage at Florida A&M University, earning a Doctor of Philosophy in education with a focus on leadership and counseling.
“I didn’t even know this was something I would actually do,” she said. “If you would have told me in 2019 that I’d be finishing a Ph.D., I probably wouldn’t have believed you.”
A Florida A&M University doctoral scholar —where academic excellence and dedication
to service meet. (Photo Courtesy: Shauntavia Clinton)
Choosing FAMU — and Choosing Herself
Although Clinton was accepted into doctoral programs at Florida State University and the University of Central Florida, she made a deliberate decision to return to an HBCU environment for the final chapter of her academic journey.
“I had already experienced predominantly white institutions,” she said. “I wanted my last opportunity to be at an HBCU.”
Her connection to Florida A&M University extended beyond academics. Clinton was introduced to the University as early as 10th grade through the TRIO program, attending campus events and experiencing FAMU’s culture long before she officially enrolled.
“That exposure planted the seed,” she said. “I always knew I’d come back to FAMU one day. I just took a different route to get here.”
That route, however, was not without challenges.
Balancing Life, Work and the Weight of a Doctorate
Clinton began her doctoral program in August 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her cohort became the first to navigate constant shifts between in-person, hybrid and online learning, while faculty and students adjusted in real time.
At the same time, Clinton worked full time. She held roles at Refuge House, a domestic violence and sexual assault shelter, and at Children’s Home Society as a family service coordinator, where she evaluated children with developmental concerns and connected families to critical resources. She later transitioned into mental health counseling, working with children ages 6 to 16.
After years of dedication, discipline and belief, a Florida A&M University doctoral
graduate closed one chapter and stepped confidently into the next—FAMU Made, always.
(Photo Courtesy: Shauntavia Clinton)
Balancing professional responsibilities, coursework and personal life proved demanding.
“There were several times over the five years where I thought about stopping,” Clinton said. “It became a lot.”
At one point, earning a C in a required course pushed her back an entire semester, a moment that could have ended her journey.
“I didn’t want to do it anymore,” she said. “But I had already started. And I kept telling myself, ‘Why start something just to stop?’”
That mindset carried her forward.
Purpose, Service and Trusting the Path
Clinton’s decision to pursue a Ph.D. did not stem from a single defining moment. She described it as something that began almost on a whim, but one rooted in years of professional experience.
Throughout her career, Clinton witnessed how children with disabilities, developmental delays and behavioral challenges were often overlooked, motivating her to seek deeper knowledge and greater impact.
“I saw the need,” she said. “And I thought, what if I could be the person who helps change that, especially back in my own community?”
For Clinton, earning a doctorate was never about the title. It was about access, advocacy and creating meaningful change.
In January 2022, Clinton accepted a role as a victim advocate at Florida A&M University, where she served the campus community and advised Warriors Against Rape, a student organization focused on education and prevention. She is also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Reflecting on her journey after graduation, Clinton credited faith and purpose for guiding each step forward.
“I don’t try to make plans anymore,” she said. “The only plan I have is the one God has for me.”
For anyone considering a doctoral program, Clinton kept her advice simple.
“Just do it,” she said. “Start with a purpose. Your ‘why’ is what will keep you going when it gets hard.”
After commencement, Clinton left for a post-graduation trip to Thailand with members of her cohort, a celebration she described as meaningful and well-earned.
“It didn’t feel real yet,” she said at the time. “But when I put on that cap and gown, I knew it was.”
Crossing the stage marked more than the completion of a degree. It represented the fulfillment of a promise Clinton made to herself; to keep going, no matter the pace.
Media Contact:
Ashley Flete
Senior Communications Specialist
ashley1.flete@famu.edu
