Document Type

Oral History

Publication Date

4-1-2026

Biography

Eltavious Johnson '26 ’28 MHR is a Bahamian-born higher education professional, musician, and community leader dedicated to building relationships that inspire growth and opportunity. A graduate of Rollins College with degrees in Communication Studies and Music, and beginning Graduate Studies in the Master of Human Resources program Fall '26, he currently serves in Institutional Advancement as a frontline fundraiser for athletics, connecting alumni, parents, and friends of the College to its mission and future. During his time at Rollins, Johnson served as Student Government Association President, represented students on the Presidential Search Committee, Managed the Rollins Men's Tennis team to the programs most successful seasons, and held numerous leadership roles across campus. His commitment to service and leadership has been recognized with the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, a national honor celebrating individuals who exemplify selfless service and noble character; the Fiat Lux Award, Rollins College's highest student honor recognizing outstanding achievement and contributions to the campus community; and the Central Florida Pledge Student Leader of the Year Award, which recognizes exceptional leadership, advocacy, and positive impact throughout Central Florida. As a first-generation international student from The Bahamas, his experiences have shaped a lifelong passion for higher education, leadership, and service. He is guided by the belief that there is always a better way and approaches his work with optimism, creativity, and a commitment to excellence. Looking ahead, Johnson aspires to pursue graduate study and eventually serve as a college president, dedicating his career to expanding access to education and helping others realize their fullest potential.

Joseph Pool '26 is a summa cum laude graduate of Rollins College with an honors bachelor's in public policy and political economy with minors in Ethics and Global Health. A South Florida native from a Moroccan-Jewish family, food, family, and faith have driven him to research and practice the art of science of bringing people of different backgrounds and beliefs together over shared meals. Following student-faculty research on culinary diplomacy and subsequent publication in the Bloomsbury Handbook of Religion and Food (2026), he founded Breaking Bread, an organization dedicated to hosting shared meals to find shared ideals. He was an Alfond Scholar and Ginsburg-Phoenix Fellow at Rollins and honored as the inaugural Central Florida Pledge Student Leader of the Year (2025), the Omicron Delta Kappa Gen. Russell E. Dougherty National Leader of the Year  (2025), and as a Phi Beta Kappa Service Scholar (2025). He intends to pursue graduate studies and work in government at the state and federal level. His goal is to enter a career of public service and leadership where he can continue the work of bridging divides and building community.

Rights

Eltavious Johnson and Joseph Pool

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