She didn’t want college at first -- now she’s an SC State University graduate and an Army officer
2nd Lt. KeShunda Walker is ready to guide others with the lessons she’s lived as an ROTC cadet and as an NCO.
ORANGEBURG, S.C. – For 2nd Lt. KeShunda Tiara Walker, her non-traditional path to becoming a U.S. Army officer started with one simple truth: “To be honest, I did not want to go to college.”
Fresh out of high school in Demopolis, Alabama, Walker enlisted in the Army on June 5, 2017. At her first duty station, a detachment sergeant emphasized the importance of higher education — even for those not seeking officer status. “He was like, ‘A degree is what gets you far,’” Walker said.
That advice stuck.
Walker began her collegiate journey by earning an associate degree from American Military University before enrolling at South Carolina State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business management.
Walker’s move to SC State was prompted by a recommendation from a lieutenant at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
“She pointed out that SC State has the highest number of (Black) generals in the Army,” Walker said. “That was a big motivator for me to come here for my ROTC classes.”
On Thursday, May 8, Walker was commissioned as a second lieutenant through SC State’s Army ROTC Bulldog Battalion in a ceremony the I.P. Stanback Museum and Planetarium. She graduated from the university the following day, earning her bachelor’s degree.
As a member of the Bulldog Battalion, Walker said she experienced significant personal and professional growth, especially in the transition from her MS3 to MS4 year. But the journey wasn’t without its challenges.
“The hardest part was coming from prior service, being a little bit older and more mature, and having to deal with the younger crowd,” she said. “We were functioning in two different mindsets, but I think my influence, as well as Hicks’ (fellow newly commissioned 2nd Lt. Kentuan Hicks, who also had prior enlisted service) influence, helped with their maturity.”
Walker also spoke candidly about another challenge she faced throughout her college and military career: maintaining her weight.
Having previously served as a sergeant, Walker is now preparing for her next chapter as a human resources tech for the Army Adjutant General Corps in Belgium. She brings to her new role a perspective shaped by experience as a non-commissioned officer (NCO).
“What I hope to bring from my NCO side, besides my leadership skills, is the care I had for not only my NCOs but anyone I worked with,” she said. “What mattered was getting to know my subordinates and superiors plus the rest of my attributes that I carried as an NCO.”
While confident, Walker acknowledges that transitioning into leadership as a commissioned officer comes with new challenges.
“One of my fears is overstepping on accident, like not micromanaging my NCOs” she said. “I’m used to working hand-in-hand with my soldiers. I love being around soldiers, but I do know over time that I’ll be able to adapt.”
Her long-term goal? To one day open a tattoo shop, although she’s not a tattoo artist.
“I don’t do tattoos—I just love tattoos. I love everything about the art of it, the creativity behind it,” she said.
For more information about the Army ROTC Bulldog Battalion and SC State’s Military Science program, visit www.scsu.edu/military-science .
The Bulldog Battalion’s Spring 2025 Commissioned Officers
2nd Lt. Cayin Sheldon Bryant Commission: Active Duty Branched: Adjutant General Corps Hometown: Summerville, South Carolina Major: Computer Science University: SC State 2nd Lt. Enyah Alayssia Dillard Commission: Active Duty Branched: Quartermaster Corps Hometown: Savannah, Georgia Major: Criminal Justice University: SC State 2nd Lt. Jordan Zenobia Hagood Commission: Active Duty Branched: Transportation Corps Hometown: Orangeburg, South Carolina Major: Criminal Justice University: SC State. 2nd Lt. Kentuan Mayinde Hicks Commission: Active Duty Branched: Adjutant General Corps Hometown: Newport News, Virginia Major: Business Management University: SC State 2nd Lt. Lashauna Tayisha Joseph Commission: Army Reserves Branched: Chemical Corps Hometown: Roanoke, Virginia Major: Chemistry (Pre-Med) University: Claflin 2nd Lt. Neill O’Conner Miller Commission: Active Duty Branched: Chemical Corps Hometown: Augusta, Goergia Major: Masters in Bio Technology University: Claflin 2nd Lt. Charles Christaine Oliver Commission: Active Duty Branched: Ordinance Corps Hometown: Manning, South Carolina Major: Mechanical Engineering University: SC State 2nd Lt. Sophia Isobel Mojares Papa Commission: Active Duty Branched: Chemical Corps Hometown: Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines Major: Physics University: SC State 2nd Lt. Zhania Myeshia Sims Commission: Army Reserves Branched: Military Intelligence Corps Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia Major: Criminal Justice University: SC State 2nd Lt. Tyriek Dezhan Thompson Commission: Active Duty Branched: Infantry Hometown: Wahiawa, Hawaii Major: Biology University: Claflin 2nd Lt. KeShunda Tiara Walker Commission: Active Duty Branched: Adjutant General Corps Hometown: Demopolis, Alabama Major: Business Management University: SC State