Kenyon’s 3DE Head Start

The transition to college can be intimidating, but Kenyon Clarkson Jr. says he entered Florida Atlantic University (FAU) with a level of confidence and self-direction that set him on a path of success. 

"Leaving high school as 3DE graduates, we had experience. We spent four years developing confidence in our abilities," he says. "I had developed an eager-to-learn mindset, so I wasn't scared to take initiative in college." 

Looking back at ninth grade, Kenyon remembers where he started—feeling "slightly excited but more apprehensive." He shares he had "never felt so out of place. I remember the butterflies. High school is a big change. So many new people, a new campus, new expectations." But slowly, that uneasiness faded. His learning became engaging, the culture of his 3DE cohort was empowering, and he became a leader: Vice president of the 3DE ambassadors and captain of the basketball team.  

That momentum carried directly onto his college campus. During his first months at FAU, Kenyon became chapter president of the National Association of Black Accountants, secured a position within the university's housing department, and joined Greek life.  

One opportunity led to another. Through 3DE and the local Junior Achievement network, Kenyon was connected to a competitive summer internship with Amgen, one of the world's leading biotechnology companies. He now works within the company's Business Resource Center, gaining hands-on experience that blends communication, operations, and professional collaboration.  

"It's a dynamic role," he says. "3DE taught me how to properly and effectively communicate, which I now use on a day-to-day basis. My dream job out of college is something similar—I could happily do this every day." 

As he enters his junior year at FAU, Kenyon points out the clear line between his 3DE foundation and his current trajectory. "I built communication skills and leadership skills. Because of 3DE, I know how to understand other people's opinions and thought processes, and how to delegate" he says. "Other people notice that leg up. My freshman year mentor told me I seemed so ahead of the game." 

Reflecting on the impact of the 3DE model, Kenyon shares that understanding the purpose and relevance of his coursework changed his high school experience. "Your average student just goes to school and completes the work," he says. "3DE instead creates an environment that boosts enthusiasm toward learning and deepens understanding." 

He remembers how 3DE connected academic concepts to practical applications. "There's always that one student who asks, 'Why are we learning this? How will this help me?'" he says. "You wouldn't be able to find one 3DE student asking that. We got the answers to those questions, and we built skills we'll use every day." 

From a nervous freshman to high school leader, and now to a thriving college junior, Kenyon is blooming, in no small part because of his 3DE head start.