Carlos Littlejohn ’22
Posted on: December 2, 2025
“Robert Greenleaf came up with the phrase ‘servant leader.’ That has been my calling—to be a servant first.”
Those are the reflections of Dr. Carlos Littlejohn, principal of Laurens Elementary School and 2022 graduate of North Greenville University’s (NGU) Doctor of Education (EdD) program.
“You wear many hats as an administrator,” he said. “You have to be a lot of things to a lot of people. But the role of servant is the most important.”
With more than two decades of experience in education, Littlejohn credits his upbringing for giving him that focus.
“We didn’t have much growing up, but my mother gave us everything we needed,” Littlejohn said. “I know I am a reflection of her, and that has always motivated me.”
Raised in Spartanburg, Littlejohn grew up with academic drive.
“I knew I wanted to be a doctor someday,” he said. “I just didn’t know what I would be a doctor of.”
In high school, Littlejohn joined Upward Bound, a program for first-generation college students.
“Having that college exposure through Upward Bound, I knew I wanted to continue my education.”
Upon graduation in 1996, Littlejohn attended Winthrop University.
“One of the things that I noticed was that I was the only black male in those classes,” he said. “Throughout elementary, middle, and high school, I didn’t have a black male teacher. The first black male teacher I had was in graduate school.”
“I was an anomaly, but I knew I could change that course for somebody else,” Littlejohn said.
Serving as a counselor in Upward Bound, working in the childcare program at the YMCA, and serving as a mentor in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, Littlejohn’s calling became clear.
“I was around kids all the time. I was a biology major, but I loved what I was doing with kids,” he said. “That’s when I shifted from biology to elementary education.”
Littlejohn began teaching and remained in school to continue his education. He had already accumulated credits toward his doctorate when he found North Greenville University.
“When I start a program, I need to know the entire layout and how long it’s going to take. When I didn’t get that from other schools, I decided to make a change,” he said. “I was doing some research and ended up landing on North Greenville. NGU was so transparent and helpful throughout the process, which ultimately helped me reached my goals.”
Having accomplished his childhood goal of attaining a doctorate, Littlejohn now imparts the wisdom he gained from his mother.
“Every field trip my students go on, I get on the bus and make the same speech. I tell them, ‘You’re a reflection of Laurens Elementary School, you’re a reflection of your parents, and you’re a reflection of me, so act accordingly.’ Those small things go a long way with me because that’s what was expected of me.”
Littlejohn said he relates to the children at his school and emphasized that the calling of a teacher is not simple.
“As an educator, you’re going to be more than just a teacher,” he said. “You’re going to be a nurse, a psychologist, a lawyer—this generation of children brings a lot to school that sometimes supersedes academics. Sometimes, when children go home, academics are not on their minds. You have to understand that and be there for them.”
Although his leadership role has taken him out of the classroom, Littlejohn still takes time for his passion. “Even principals are called to teach. I’ll hop in a kindergarten class and teach 4- and 5-year-olds. I’ll relieve the fifth grade teachers from time to time,” Littlejohn said. “The calling that you have matters. The example that you set matters.”
