ELAINA BROOKS | Presidential Scholar & Strada Presidential Leadership Scholar

WILBERFORCE, OH - Central State University sophomore honors student Elaina Brooks is a Psychology major with a minor in Biology and is from Montgomery, Alabama. She is a CSU Presidential Scholar, former President of a Jack and Jill America - Montgomery chapter, a former member of CSU’s Volleyball team, a previous member of the National Honors Society, a previous Miller Fellow intern, and a STRADA Presidential Leadership Scholarship recipient.  

Funded by the Strada Education Network, the Strada Presidential Leadership Scholarship focuses on investment in the next generation of leaders. Through this scholarship program, recipients are provided leadership development, academic support, internship funding, and critical social engagement resulting in positive postsecondary learning opportunities that lead to meaningful career pathways for Strada Scholars. Strada recognizes the importance of HBCUs in providing economic and social mobility to America’s next generation of leaders and undertakes this Initiative to provide institutional and systemic improvements for the participating institutions and the students they serve. 

Brooks chose Central State in order to further her education and pursue her athletics career. She says she has always been interested in how people think, and she knows a degree in Psychology would help her to own her own practice in the near future.  She not only wants to own a dental practice, but also wants to own a non-profit. She is preparing to own these businesses by currently staying very busy with her major, her minor, and the leadership development opportunities provided by Strada. After completing her studies, she wishes to become an orthodontist and start a non-profit to aid individuals who are homeless. She said, “being homeless is not just a financial issue, but a mental one,” and she wants to provide housing for the homeless as well to rehabilitate them back into society without judgment. She would like to help them find meaningful employment and dental care.  

Elaina Brooks has traveled out of the country before to visit a cousin who graduated from high school while living on base in Japan. She says she visited about five different cities and really started to see how misguided Americans can be about other countries. She wishes to travel and learn more about other cultures and places.  

Dr. Schlag, Executive Director of the Honors College and International Affairs said, “When I met Elaina and her father when they visited campus, I knew that Elaina is exactly the type of honors student leader we wanted to heavily recruit to the college.” He continued, “She has lofty aspirations, an incredible work ethic, and a since desire to help others on a large scale. This ethic of care for others is one of the principles upon which the Honors College is founded, so Elaina was selected as one of the first Presidential Scholars to lay the foundation for future honors students.” 

Destin’e Ecton, Residence Hall Coordinator & Head Cheer Coach, has also had pleasant interactions with this student: “In my first encounter with Ms. Brooks, she showed that she is a bubbly, bright and passionate young woman. From the first hall meeting as her hall coordinator, she showed true leadership qualities by making sure that her peers showed respect and acted with maturity. She is a lighthearted individual that cares for everyone around her. She can go from joking and laughing to being there for someone in a time of need. Elaina is able to go with the flow and make the best of every situation. Her positivity and competitive drive are shown in everything she does. She excels in the classroom, on the court and within her community. There was not a day that went by in my time as her hall coordinator that I did not see a smile on Elaina’s face. Even on her dark days, she goes out her way to still spread good vibes. It has been a true honor to watch this extraordinary young woman grow within just one year. I know she will do amazing things in the future, and I cannot wait to watch her make them happen.” 

Brooks wishes to thank her family, friends, coaches, and Dr. Schlag for all taking a chance on her. She says she cannot possibly name everyone because she does not want to leave anyone out who has been a great help to her over the years.  

Find out more about the STRADA scholarship at STRADA Presidential Leadership Scholarship 

Learn more about Central State University’s Psychology Program and the Honors College at honors.centralstate.edu.