Jasmine Kirby, Tennessee State University- c/o 2021, Criminal Justice
Name : Jasmine Kirby
HBCU : Tennessee State University
Graduation Year : 2021
Major : Criminal Justice
Email : jazmina.shyann@gmail.com
Where are you from? Who introduced you to HBCUs?*
I was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. I was introduced to HBCUs when my sister attended Tennessee State University. Ever since then, I’ve been a HBCU girl.
I always represent my university on my shirt
Why did you choose an HBCU over a pwi?*
Because a pwi said “I had wonderful grades but I didn’t have enough extra curricular activities.". It made me hurt because they didn’t understand that I lost my home in November, then my grandmother in December, and my auntie that I look too and raised me as her own had cancer. So it’s like they wanted me to set aside my family. But family is second cause God is first.
What is the story of your "experience" at Your HBCU given its heralded status as a stellar and prestigious institution?*
My first year at Tennessee State University was wonderful! It taught me independence and dedication. Even though I had to medically withdraw. I’m not giving up.
"First time" experiences at your HBCU?*
It had to be meeting new people.
I wasn’t shy but being with the same people since middle school, I wasn’t ready for meeting new people. But on day one people came up to me. And I had no choice but put myself out there.
Eventually my friends that visit me from different schools were like we can’t go three minutes without someone saying hello to you.
Who are the professors that have impacted your life in and out of the classroom? How did they do that?*
Dr. Smith was like that person I could vent to about anything. She knew I was very sick and it was becoming difficult to finish my first year. She became my journal that I could tell everything to and she wouldn’t judge me.
Last picture I took on campus. I always look back because I want to go back one day
How are you positively active on campus? (e.g. clubs, SGA, etc.)
I joined Soul Fire. It was a poetry group.
What was your happiest moment in your life to date?
When I graduated because people said I couldn’t do it.
What was your saddest moment in your life to date?
When I lost my grandmother. She was my rock and I know she’s proud of me.
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Tennessee State University
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Students: 9,027
Under Graduates: 7,073
Post Graduates: 1,954 - Athletics: Tennessee State University competes in the NCAA's Division I Football Championship Subdivision and is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference. Tennessee State is the only Division I HBCU school who is not a member of the MEAC or SWAC. Tennessee State University offers Basketball, Football, Cross Country, Golf, Tennis, Track and Field, Softball, and Volleyball.
- Notable Alumni: U. L. "Rip" Gooch - Commercial Pilot (20,000+ hours) and Certified Flight Instructor; FAA-Designated Flight Examiner; Owner/President, Aero Services, Inc., Wichita, Kansas; regional distributor (Kansas and adjacent), Mooney Aircraft; Member, Wichita Airport Authority; Member, Aviation Advisory Committee, Kansas Dept. of Transportation; 1993 Kansas Governor's Aviation Honor Award; Inductee, Black Aviation Hall of Fame; Civil rights activist; Commissioner, Kansas Commission on Civil Rights;** Xernona Clayton - 1952 - Civil rights activist** Young Buck - Hip hop star** Oprah Winfrey - 1987 - Talk show host/actress/entrepreneur** Lee Summers - 1980 - Broadway Original Dreamgirls/actor/writer** Mark Funkhouser - Former mayor of Kansas City, Missouri** Harvey Johnson, Jr. - Mayor of Jackson, Mississippi** Dr. C. O. Simpkins, Sr. - Dentist in Shreveport, civil rights activist, and member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1992 to 1996** A C Wharton - Mayor of Memphis, Tennessee** Dorothy McClendon - American microbiologist who developed methods to protect stored goods, notably fuel, from degradation due to biological agents**. Chandra Cheeseborough - Olympic runner; gold and silver medalist** Robert Covington - 2013 - NBA Basketball Player** Sean Foley - Golf instructor to PGA Tour players** Ryan Fann - Paralympic Runner** Wilma Rudolph - Olympic runner; first woman to win three gold medals in a single Olympics**
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