Presbyterian College senior Alex Melgar named SCICU Student of the Year

Melgar, a Lancaster, South Carolina, native and graduate of Lancaster High School, is pursuing double majors in political science and public policy and history. He currently serves as president of the Presbyterian College Student Government Association and vice president of the Hispanic Appreciation Organization.

For Melgar, the honor represents more than an individual achievement. It reflects a journey that began when he arrived at PC as a first-generation college student uncertain about where he fit and how involved he should become.

That willingness to step forward eventually led Melgar into leadership and service across campus. In addition to his roles in SGA and the Hispanic Appreciation Organization, he has been involved with Student Volunteer Services and PresbyFirst+, PC’s community supporting first-generation students.

Through each organization, Melgar said he has found a different way to serve.

“Through the Student Government Association, I advocate for the student body,” he said. “Through the Hispanic Appreciation Organization, I help create a sense of community for Hispanic students and welcome others into our culture. Student Volunteer Services allows me to connect our campus with the surrounding Clinton community, while PresbyFirst+ allows me to support fellow first-generation students.”

PC president Dr. Anita Gustafson said Melgar exemplifies the kind of leadership and service the college seeks to cultivate in its students.

“Alex represents Presbyterian College at its very best,” Gustafson said. “He is an outstanding student, but what distinguishes him is the way he uses his abilities and his leadership to serve others. Alex understands that leadership is not simply about holding a position. It is about creating opportunities, strengthening community and helping others recognize their own potential. We are extraordinarily proud to see him receive this well-deserved statewide recognition.”

A Statewide Honor

The McLean-Smith SCICU Student of the Year Award is presented by South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities and carries a $3,000 scholarship.

The award was established in 2016 when the SCICU Board of Trustees combined the J. Lacy McLean and Sterling L. Smith scholarships into a single annual honor. McLean advocated for independent higher education in South Carolina for more than 34 years, while Smith played an instrumental role in the development of the South Carolina Tuition Grants Program.

The award recognizes students who perform well academically and demonstrate commitments to public affairs, community service and leadership. Eligible nominees include full-time rising seniors at SCICU member colleges and universities who are South Carolina residents and recipients of the South Carolina Tuition Grant.

Melgar learned he had been selected while completing an internship in Washington, D.C.

“I was sitting at my desk during my internship when I read the email, and I honestly couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I stepped outside the office and immediately called my family and a few friends who had supported me throughout this journey.”

His first reaction, he said, was gratitude.

“This award represents so many people who invested in me — my family, my professors, mentors and the PC community,” Melgar said. “I truly don’t think I would have received this recognition without their support.”

Finding a Place to Belong

Melgar said his experiences as both a Hispanic student and a first-generation college student have shaped his years at Presbyterian College.

Among the first communities to help him find his footing was his Connect2PC cohort and PC’s first-generation student community. Later, his involvement with the Hispanic Appreciation Organization provided another important sense of connection.

“Those relationships helped me build confidence during my first few weeks and reminded me that I wasn’t navigating college alone,” he said.

His own experience has influenced the kind of leader he has tried to become.

“The biggest reason I stay involved is that I want to lead by example,” Melgar said. “I hope that students who are hesitant, especially first-generation students, see someone who once felt exactly like they do and realize that they belong here, too.”

A Future in Public Service

Melgar’s Washington internship has further strengthened his interest in a career in public service. He is considering work in either the nonprofit sector or public policy and may pursue a master’s degree in public administration or public policy.

His liberal arts education at Presbyterian College, he said, has prepared him not only academically but also as a communicator, advocate and leader.

“PC has challenged me to think critically, understand different perspectives, communicate effectively and become a stronger leader,” Melgar said.

He also points to the college’s motto, “While We Live, We Serve,” as a guiding principle he plans to carry beyond graduation.

“That motto has become more than just words to me,” he said. “It has shaped how I approach leadership and how I hope to live my life after college.”

Melgar said the statewide recognition carries particular meaning because of what it might represent to students whose backgrounds resemble his own.

“I don’t want to be the last first-generation student or Hispanic student to hold leadership positions on campus,” he said. “I want students who come after me to see these roles as something they can achieve, too.”