Pasco-Hernando State College Volume XII, Issue I - Spring 2018 | Page 13

JOHNATHAN
STUDENT
PROFILE
MCKEEN-CHAFF:
A
ST U D E N T
W I T H
A
M I SS I O N
Johnathan’s selfie with friends when
he received the FCSSGA Student of
the Month award.
My church, music,
and education have been
my greatest outlets getting
me through everything I
dealt with as a child.
The Amelia Foundation fundraiser concert, held at Redemption Baptist Church in
Dade City, where McKeen-Chaff played piano and sang. He also spoke about the
mission and vision of the Amelia Foundation. Photo by Judah Beckel.
T
he vast majority of incoming college freshmen are
undecided about a major or a career path. According
to Inside Higher Ed, as much as 80 percent of college
students change majors at least once during their college
experience. PHSC East Campus student, Johnathan McKeen-
Chaff, 20, of Dade City is among the 80 percent. McKeen-Chaff
changed direction more than once, but now knows exactly what he
wants to do. In fact, he already accomplished one of the biggest
goals in his life—founding the Amelia Foundation, a non-profit
named after Amelia Baptist Church (now called Darby Community
Church) where McKeen-Chaff discovered comfort in serving Christ
at a young age.
As a child, McKeen-Chaff suffered from incessant bullying, and
physical and verbal abuse from his father, whom dissuaded
McKeen-Chaff from furthering his education. Despite the lack of
support, and believing that education is the key to escape poverty,
his foundation’s mission promotes the importance of education—
currently with a local focus on Dade City. “My church, music,
and education have been my greatest outlets getting me through
everything I dealt with as a child,” said McKeen-Chaff.
McKeen-Chaff also is in pursuit of his own education. He will
receive his AA from PHSC in May 2018 and plans to seek a
bachelor’s degree in business, a master of education degree and
a doctorate in psychology. “My goal is to support myself and
my philanthropic endeavors through my music lesson business,
McKeen-Chaff Music,” said McKeen-Chaff, who donates 25
percent of the business’s net profit towards the Amelia Foundation.
The foundation has already provided scholarships to three
students, two seeking degrees at PHSC and one seeking a degree
at the University of Florida. His 10-year plan for the non-profit
includes expanding beyond Dade City to other Florida cities, to
Cuba, and other countries in need. He also hopes to provide free
after school tutoring programs for underprivileged students in
the future.
McKeen-Chaff is the current president of the East Campus
chapters of the Student Government Association (SGA) and
Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU) club. In addition to his
work outside of school, McKeen-Chaff was recognized for his
accomplishments and leadership skills; he was named the Florida
College System Student Government Association (FCSSGA)
Student of the Month.
PHSC East Campus Student Life and Leadership Coordinator
Ahmy Arca said McKeen-Chaff was responsible for bringing a
Community Resource Fair to campus. “He saw an opportunity
to better inform the community about all the resources available
to students. Johnathan has a strong desire to serve his fellow
students and community,” stated Arca in his nomination of
McKeen-Chaff to FCSSGA.
“The thing I find most admirable about Johnny is that everything
he does has a purpose—a mission—to help someone else. That is
a characteristic of great leadership,” said Arca.
SPRING 2018
13