We’re In Chicago: MJ Jones
Our Scholar Alumni really are everywhere, including right here on the CS Dream team! With this new phase of We’re Everywhere, we’re introducing you to some of our incredible CS Staff and Mentors who are Alumni of our program!
MJ Jones, the Associate of Scholar Experience at Chicago Scholars and a graduate of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, brings her own experience as a Scholar to every day, as she plans year-one Scholar programming, managing Scholar leadership development groups, and much more. We spoke to her about what it means to be working with Scholars as an Alum, what her experience was like as a Scholar, and what she wishes people knew about Chicago Scholars and the City of Chicago. Read on for her responses:
What is your current role at Chicago Scholars?
“My current role at Chicago Scholars is Associate of Scholar Experience. My responsibilities for this position include handling the logistics for our year one programming, helping facilitate our workshops, growth labs, as well as optional events, co-leading our leadership development groups, and assisting with enrollment and orientation.”
What brought you back to Chicago Scholars to serve on the staff?
“Chicago Scholars helped me truly understand the college application process and how to be successful following graduation. The organization provided me with a support system that I did not have in my home life. Without Chicago Scholars, I wouldn’t have realized my full potential in my post-secondary education. I came back to CS because I wanted to give back to the community that gave me so much when I was in high school and college. I also enjoy seeing the potential of the next generation of scholars as well as their success in and out of the program.”
As a CS team member, what does it mean to you to be shaping the future of the organization?
“Being a part of shaping the future of our organization means the world to me. My ability to help cultivate the evolution of CS is so rewarding and allows me to see how our work impacts students as well as their families directly. As a non-profit that serves the community, it is important to constantly improve and maneuver through the current state of the world. Working with CS allows me to be at the forefront of that change.”
What is it like interacting with current Scholars as an Alumni and current staff member?
“Interacting with fellow staff is enlightening. Learning the ins and outs of how the organization operates has brought a new meaning to the work that so deeply impacted me as a scholar. Working with the current scholars as an alum gives me so much hope for the future of Chicago and the world. Chicago Scholars truly attracts some of the most talented and inspiring students. Seeing these scholars develop their leadership skills while preparing for college is so nostalgic and exhilarating at the same time.”
How has your view of Chicago Scholars changed in your current role with the organization?
“I was always very active as a high school scholar. I attended all the workshops and optional programming, received two acceptances at Onsite, and maintained relationships with my cohort members to this day. Now being a staff member, seeing the work, dedication and planning that these events take has been eye-opening. It makes me more appreciative of those who were staff members when I was a scholar. This also makes me want to work harder for our current scholars the way that staff members before me have done.”
What was your experience like as a Scholar?
“I had the best time being a Scholar. Interacting with students from all over the city, receiving advice from mentors, and being able to relate to other scholars from different classes was the best part of my experience. Being a Scholar allowed me to get into 9 of the 12 schools I applied for as well as get a full ride to University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I would not have been able to accomplish that without the support I received from the organization.”
What advice do you have for current Scholars?
“The best advice I can give to current Scholars is to take advantage of everything the program has to offer. You get what you give to Chicago Scholars. Communication and transparency are the top priorities when it comes to staff/volunteers showing up for you in the best way. Everyone at Chicago Scholars wants to see you succeed, however success may look for you. Once you realize the support system you have access to through the organization, anything is achievable.”
What do you wish people knew about Chicago Scholars and the city of Chicago?
“I wish that more people knew how much Chicago Scholars impacts the students that we serve. Showing up for our scholars is showing up for the future of our city and local communities. A lot of our scholars, like me, do not have a strong support system that can guide them through the process of post-secondary education and career development. Organizations like Chicago Scholars are the life blood of continuing education beyond high school.”
Is there a piece of professional advice you would like to give your fellow Alumni?
“Advice for fellow alumni would be if you can show up, show up. Even if it’s in a small way, it makes all the difference. Give to the communities and organizations and people that gave so much to you. You can and do make a difference in the lives of others. Continue to represent Chicago Scholars in all that you do and let yourself appreciate the success you have made thus far. It is no small feat.”