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As �鶹ԭ��’s Vice President of Student Services, Dr. John “JJ” Evans oversees everything from Student Life & Services to Financial Aid, but when he’s not working, you’ll likely find him on his motorcycle.

“There is nothing better than great weather, the open road, and jazz flowing in your ears as you travel about,” he said.

Evans joined the College in March, bringing with him eight years of experience with the North Carolina Community College System, as well as experience at Alamance Community College, Stetson University, and Queens University of Charlotte. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Clemson University and a doctorate in Educational Research & Policy Analysis with a specialization in Adult and Community College Education from North Carolina State University.

Enough about the resume. Here are five lesser-known facts about �鶹ԭ��’s newest vice president.

How did get into higher education? What was “the moment” that made you decide this would be your career?

My undergraduate degree is in Elementary Education. I always wanted to return to my hometown to teach math like my mother and coach middle school football or basketball.  I began my career in student affairs in 1997, when I was looking for a summer job so I could stay at Clemson and complete some summer courses.  I was offered a job as a summer orientation ambassador and served in that capacity for the next four years.  Near the end of my undergraduate degree, I learned more about the field of student affairs, and I knew I wanted to pursue my master’s in Counseling with a Concentration of Student Affairs Administration.  I have been working with college students ever since.  

Where are you from and how do you think your hometown shaped you into who you are today?

I was born in Columbia, S.C., as the only child of my parents, who at the time were living in Columbia, S.C., a stone’s throw from my grandfather’s residence. My father graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s in Business Administration and a master’s in Public Administration, while my mother received her bachelor’s in Mathematics and a master’s in Biometry. My father’s side of the family is small, because he was an only child. Contrastingly, my mother is the second youngest of eight children.

My parents would soon relocate to Atlanta, GA following career pursuits, and I would be thrust into growing up faster than I would realize as my parents would divorce as I was entering fifth grade.  As a result, my mother moved back into the family home of my grandparents in Camden, S.C.

Neither of my grandparents had a high school education, though each of my mother’s siblings continued on and entered higher education.  When I graduated with my Ph.D., I became the first “Doctor” of my family.  

Growing up, I did not have a strong relationship with my father, but and I am thankful for the relationship with his father — my granddad — who taught me everything.  He developed my love for jazz, bought my first instrument, taught me how to drive, and would eventually buy my first computer when I went off to college.  On the inside of my class ring, the words “Keep on keeping on” are inscribed, which is a mantra that he shared with me many years ago and are words that I continue to live by. 

What is your favorite song/book/band and why?

I am a jazz fanatic. In fact, I have over 4,000 CDs digitized of all genres. Two albums that I probably listen to once per week are “Inventions and Dimensions” by Herbie Hancock and “Coltrane’s Sound” by John Coltrane. The love of jazz comes from my grandfather.

What’s your favorite place you’ve ever visited and why?

I am a crazed NFL football fan — Cincinnati Bengals — so I love traveling to NFL stadiums. One my favorite trips was following the Bengals when they played in London. I was my first visit to the U.K. We visited Stonehenge, traveled around London, and visited small towns. The Bengals played the Redskins that year, and the game ended in a tie. We flew over 3,000 miles for a TIE!  I have also visited the Burj Khalifah, the tallest manmade structure in the world, as well as the countries of Djibouti, Oman, Thailand, and Sir Lanka.

What do you consider a perfect day?

It could be laying on the couch with the dog watching football, hopping on the bike the visit a new destination, walking down the streets of New Orleans listening to jazz artists, or strolling along the beach alone.