Johleea Gaines has always had a passion for helping people. From being a listening ear for others to performing small acts of kindness, Gaines said helping people has always been important to her.
After graduating at the top of her high school class in her hometown of Bamberg, Gaines received a full scholarship to Clemson, where she ultimately chose to major in psychology. She continues to excel academically, being named to the Dean’s List through her time at Clemson. She has big aspirations, including earning multiple degrees, working as a counseling psychologist with her own practice, serving as a mental health advocate, and starting her own non-profit.
“Realizing that everyone has their own very private and secret struggles, I have always wanted to help people,” she said. “I figured the best way for me to do that is to understand why people do the things they do and applying that to help them. Psychology was just the best option for that.”
Gaines was offered a work study position in her first year at Clemson, and she thought working in the library might be a good fit. While she initially considered working at Cooper Library, she preferred the quieter environment of the Gunnin Architecture Library. She applied for a position at Gunnin, got the job, and has been there ever since.
As a student assistant in Gunnin, Gaines helps students and other patrons with a variety of needs, including research assistance, locating books, and using the printers. She also helps prepare book displays, makes sure study rooms are set up properly, and contributes to Gunnin’s social media pages.
She enjoys working at Gunnin because it has allowed her to explore her interests in art and architecture, interests she hopes to incorporate into her future therapy practices.
“I absolutely love it. I’m very interested in art as well as architecture and the use of space, so being in Gunnin has opened up that interest even more,” she said. “I would like to incorporate art into my therapy practice someday.”
In addition to working at Gunnin, Gaines also works for Aramark at the P.O.D. Markets around campus, and, as if two on-campus jobs wasn’t enough, she also has an internship working at Judson Community Partnership, an after-school program for youth in Greenville.
“I love working with these kids,” she said. “I have two younger siblings and two older siblings, so I’ve always been around a lot of children. I started this internship about two weeks ago, and I have fallen in love with these kids already. When I’m working with them, I can put everything else aside and just be present with them in the moment and help them.”
Gaines is also involved with several student organizations, such as the First Generation Success Club, the Psychology Club and the Black Student Union. She is on track to graduate in May 2027 and has started applying to graduate programs in North and South Carolina.