SFC Junior Shareef Swindell, is not your average 21-year-old but rather proves to be a man set out to follow his goals and pursue his dreams.

Swindell was born in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.  "I grew up in some pretty rough neighborhoods so I learned a lot about holding your own growing up. I had a good mother who always made sure I worked on being smart as hard as I played so I have a pretty good head on my shoulders," said Swindell.

Throughout his life, it seems as though he has been able to exhibit talent in many different art forms. At the age of four he learned how to tap dance and was featured in Tony Waag's Tap City and the New York City Tap Festival in the years 2002, 2004 and 2006. 

Swindell, former member of the music group The Upperclassmen, is now a solo rapper. Swindell said: "I hardly ever go out because I'm usually always working on music because that is really the only thing I love to do." Swindell doesn't just listen to the rap, he studies the lyrics and the beats.

Being a solo artist can be challenging, Swindell said: "It's hard, but I'm not unhappy because I'm actually working for myself and no one is controlling me. It's a lot of work to be a solo artist, you have to figure out what direction you're gonna go with it and who you want to appeal to. Also getting the money up to actually have a good representation for yourself online is hard as well."

Swindell added: "I like it better because I can talk about whatever I want and I'm also able to express myself better. I don't have to conform to what other people in the group want and I also have more fun doing it. It's just harder to get the money to do things because I'm only one person. But I'm coming along at a slow but good pace. I can't wait until people actually hear the music!"

Currently, Swindell is Vice President of the Student Government Association (SGA). Describing the responsibilities within his role, he said: "I try to help events run smoothly and do a lot of planning with the Senate and the executives to help increase school spirit and just create overall fun events."

Swindell majors in Communications: Film and Broadcasting, and said: "I love film and I always wanted to be a director and/or learn how a movie is made. I thought it would be a good major to choose if I wanted to get into film."

His role model is Will Smith because "He [Will Smith] does it all and doesn't take a break, [he] works very hard...he's always positive and I want to be inspirational like that one day."

Following graduation, Swindell hopes to write for a magazine or become a cameraman.  He also hopes to pursue his music career as a solo artist because his main goal is to be a prominent musician. Swindell is looking forward to a bright future filled with success.