Hi there! My name is Jathselle Pierre-Louis, some may know me as Jessie. I was born and raised in South Florida and I moved to Maryland during my senior year in high school. While I was at Clarksburg High School, I came across an amazing scholars program called Achieving Collegiate Excellence and Success (ACES). The ACES program is a collaborative program between Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), Montgomery College (MC) and the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) to support students and provide a smooth path to a bachelor’s degree. I like to think of ACES as a family, I have made great friends and mentors through the ACES program and I am so thankful.
Through the ACES Program I learned about MC and USG. I knew that USG is where I belong the moment I stepped foot on campus. I decided to enroll in the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) Digital Media and Web Technology program at USG. Most people think of UMUC as an online school, but they also offer classes on the USG campus, which was something I really wanted to do so that I could meet and interact with other students and community members. I immediately joined various clubs and organizations, such as the Care Package Club, Student Event Board, and Student Ambassadors. Being a part of these clubs allow me to give back and be active in my community. Choosing the USG campus to complete my degree is one of the best decisions I have made. Students leave the USG campus with the academic skills and real-world experiences needed for successful careers.
Upon graduation, I will continue my education and attend Maryland Institute of Integrative Health so I can earn a master’s degree in therapeutic herbalism. My ambition is to increase my knowledge about living a healthier lifestyle from plant-based foods and herbs so I can help people gain knowledge on their well-being. My ultimate goal is to combine both my skills in digital media and health and wellness to start a partnership with different organizations that focuses on cruelty to animals in agriculture and promotes vegetarian eating as a way to build a kinder world for all of us.