Meet Mister and Miss South Carolina State University (2026-2027): John Seay-Oliver and Jakari Jones

HBCU Kings and Queens carry more than a title. They carry the culture, the history, and the pride of their entire campus every time they step onto the yard. That is why we at Watch The Yard are launching a new series dedicated to introducing you to the leaders wearing the crown this year, continuing with South Carolina State University.

Mister South Carolina State University John Seay-Oliver is a senior Agribusiness major from Atlanta, Georgia, and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., initiated in Spring 2025. The 90th Miss South Carolina State University Jakari Jones is a senior History and Political Science Pre-Law major from Columbia, South Carolina, and a soror of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., initiated in Spring 2025. Together, Seay-Oliver (@whos.jso) and Jones (@its.jakari) represent South Carolina State’s Bulldog Nation with a shared commitment to service and elevating their university.

Watch The Yard put out an open call to HBCU Kings and Queens across the country and we were able to interview Seay-Oliver and Jones about their reign. Read our interview with them:

What motivated you to run for King of your school? Tell us what you campaigned on and what you set out to accomplish once you were crowned.

John Seay-Oliver: “When I came to South Carolina State University, I knew I wanted to leave more than memories; I wanted to leave an impact. Too often, SCSU isn’t included in conversations about the nation’s premier HBCUs, and I made it my personal mission to help change that. Whether through campus leadership, creating content that reached national HBCU platforms, or hosting events that celebrated our culture, everything I did was centered around elevating my university. That same passion motivated me to run for Mr. South Carolina State University. I wasn’t running simply to wear a crown, I was running to expand what the crown could represent. My campaign was built on the platform JSØ: Just Serve Others, a philosophy that leadership begins long before a title is earned and continues long after it’s received. I wanted students to see that real leadership is measured by consistency, service, and the willingness to put the needs of others before your own. As Mister, my vision is to use this platform to create opportunities that leave a lasting impact. I want to build partnerships with businesses, organizations, creators, and leaders who can bring new resources, experiences, and opportunities to our campus while simultaneously highlighting the incredible talent and organizations already at South Carolina State. My goal is for my reign to be remembered not just for the events I hosted, but for the doors I opened, the relationships I built, and the way I helped give South Carolina State University the recognition and respect it deserves.”

What do you love most about your school, and what would you want someone who has never set foot on your campus to understand about what makes it special?

John Seay-Oliver: “What I love most about South Carolina State University is that it’s impossible to understand this place until you’ve experienced it for yourself. The traditions, the pride, and the little moments throughout campus are what make being a Bulldog so special. You can hear the Marching 101 before you ever see them. Throughout the week, you’ll hear them rehearsing across campus, and if you’re lucky, you’ll catch them marching from one practice location to another. On Saturdays, hearing the chants echo through Oliver C. Dawson Stadium, watching the entire crowd ‘Get Up for the Bulldogs,’ and seeing the Greek organizations rush to the stands when ‘Pass the Peas’ starts playing, those are moments you can’t recreate anywhere else. There are places on campus that every Bulldog knows. Whether it’s spending time in the Plaza, hanging out in the Student Center, attending events in MLK Auditorium, or experiencing the energy of Dukes Gymnasium, better known as ‘Club Dukes,’ those spaces are where you see students being unapologetically and authentically themselves. And, of course, almost every student has an Instagram picture in the iconic corner of Belcher Hall or on the rocks outside the Engineering Building. Those places become part of your story at SC State. What has impacted me most, though, is the opportunity. Because of South Carolina State, I’ve been able to travel the country through athletics, the 1890 Ag Innovation Scholars Program, and student leadership. Those experiences have introduced me to people, places, and possibilities I never imagined when I first arrived on campus. And then there’s LHIA, The Littest Homecoming in America. Homecoming isn’t just an event here; it’s a reunion, a celebration, and a reminder that no matter where life takes you, you’ll always have a home at South Carolina State. That’s why I love South Carolina State University. It isn’t just the traditions or the memories, it’s the way this institution develops leaders, creates opportunities, and gives every student a place to belong. Once you’re a Bulldog, you’re part of a family for life.”

How has your school molded you into the person you are today? Take us to a specific moment, person, or experience on your campus that changed you.

Jakari Jones: “South Carolina State University has molded me into the woman I am today by pushing me outside of my comfort zone and being able to give me opportunities to really discover who I truly am. I know when I first came to South Carolina State, I never imagined my journey would take me from being a student trying to find her touch on campus to serving as Miss Sophomore, Miss 1896, and now the 90th Miss South Carolina State University. I remember stepping into my first leadership role on campus and realizing that people were looking up to me not because of my title but because of the way I treat people and carry myself. In that moment, it really changed me. During my tenure at SC State, I have learned to lead and how to lead when I’m nervous, speak up for myself and others, and also handle challenges with grace while also understanding that I do not have to change who I am to be a leader. Being surrounded by leaders and Black excellence has also shown me that there are no limits as far as things that I can and want to accomplish. SC State has equipped me with more than an education; it gave me confidence, a stronger sense of purpose, and a community of amazing people who have allowed me to grow into the woman that I am today, which I once hoped I could become. I know that when I graduate, I will leave SC State different from the young woman who first walked on this campus, and I am so grateful for the growth.”

What does it mean to you to hold this title at an HBCU specifically, and what do you hope students take away from your reign long after you graduate?

Jakari Jones: “To hold the title of Miss South Carolina State University at an HBCU means so much more to me than wearing a crown and sash. At an HBCU, wearing the crown means representing generations of Black excellence and culture, and those women who paved the way and created opportunities for those coming after them. Having to hold the title of the 90th and being the 90th woman to represent my university reminds me that I am a part of a long lasting legacy that is bigger than myself.”

We at Watch The Yard would like to commend John Seay-Oliver and Jakari Jones for the way they are already leading with heart at South Carolina State University. Here’s to a reign built on service, legacy, and pride in the Bulldog. Congratulations, Mister and Miss South Carolina State University. We wish you a successful and impactful reign.

(Photo Credit: Joe Grimes @joegrimessphotography)