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Nivory Gordon III has quietly built a stellar academic career in the SEC.

The Selma native is scheduled to graduate from the University of Mississippi School of Law in May. Gordon is the first African-American Editor of Chief at the Mississippi Law Journal. 

“It is surreal, all focus has been on getting the work done,” Gordon said. “You never know what God has in store for you. I went from being a regular student to running a publication, Being the first black to run a publication has its challenges. Everything that life has taught me prepared me to step into the role to ensure the Journal is producing excellent legal scholarship. ”

A 2014 graduate of Selma High School, Gordon credits his success to a strong family background. 

“No matter what you face in life, always give it your best; that was something that my grandmother always told me, that my father always did, something that my mom always had to do,” Gordon said. “Things aren’t always going to be easy, but when you rely on your faith and what you’ve been through in life, you realize that the responsibility wouldn’t have fallen on you if you didn’t have what it took to see it through until the end.”

Gordon graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering in 2018. Several months later, he earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering.