Basketball Star, Student Leader, and Outstanding Senior Melvin Archie Reflects on His USCA Journey

Whether on the basketball court or the classroom, Melvin Archie has become a beloved figure on the University of South Carolina Aiken campus.

He will be one of 260 degree candidates participating in the Dec. 12 graduation ceremony at the USCA Convocation Center.

A native of Hopkins, SC, Archie knew from the start that USCA would be his home.

“I chose this campus because of the family environment,” he said. “It seemed so open, and I loved the environment and fell in love with it as soon as I came here.”

USCA provided him with the close-knit feeling he sought. It also sparked his passion for education. Archie says it all started during his senior year in high school while taking a math course, “I remember I had a teacher who was from the Philippines and my other classmates couldn’t understand what she was saying, but I was able to interpret her accent to break it down to my classmates so that they could understand. That’s when I realized maybe I could teach too.”

Archie has taken his ability to teach outside of the classroom and has worked as a student teacher at East Aiken School of the Arts. “I love teaching the younger kids.” Right now, he teaches second grade through fourth and loves the feeling of connection and mentoring with the students. “I not only love to teach but I like to give them life lessons as well. Not only are you just learning this information, but you are taking it outside of the classroom as well.”

One unforgettable moment he had in the classroom was the compliments he would receive from his students and parents. “I had one of my students come up to me and say, ‘Thank you for being my teacher.’ That just made me feel so good.”

Ever since Archie started his journey at USCA, he’s been involved in numerous organizations such as the Call Me Mister Program, served as a resident mentor, and even had the honor of being initiated into the Sigma Tau Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated in the Fall of 2022.

He was recently honored as the Fall 2024 Outstanding Senior, an award presented to one of the top achievers in each senior class.

However, he’s best known for his skills on the basketball court. During his freshman year, he knew he wanted to be around the sport one way or another. It wasn’t until Archie met with the head basketball coach, Mark Vanderslice, asking for an opportunity to try out for the team. “I remember when he told me ‘We want to extend you an invitation to join the basketball team.’ At that point, I just remember jumping for joy.”

Throughout his time on the team, Archie was voted as having the most team spirit within the athletic department, elevated as team captain during his senior year, competed in the NCAA Division II Tournament in the Spring of 2023, and was even recognized as being a “secret weapon” on the Men’s Basketball team in an article written by News Channel 6 in Augusta, Ga.

Archie says his best memories were of Georgia College fans chanting “We want Melvin!” at a 2023 game.

After graduation in December, his game plan involves enrolling in USCA’s Master Program for Educational Leadership with a concentration in Administration. “I already have a job at East Aiken School for the Arts… I want to be in administration,” he said.

His parting advice for future educators is, “Be yourself and just keep going.”

Archie, along with his graduating classmates, will participate in the Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. at the USCA Convocation Center located at 2049 Champion Way, Graniteville, SC 29829 

For more information, contact USCA Marketing & Communication at news@usca.edu.