Jasmine Houston Spotlight
When you first encounter Ms. Jasmine Houston, she’ll greet you with a smile and a warm, calming demeanor. Originally from Denver, Colorado, she graduated Overland High School in 2010 and remained in Colorado to attend the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) where she majored in Africana Studies and minored in Communications. However, her academic accomplishment of graduating is not where her story begins or ends.
Ms. Houston has a rich history of engagement on campus as a student organization leader and employment on campus. Throughout her tenure at UNC, she was the President of the social justice organizing committee, became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated where she acted as the programming planning and development chair, held three positions at the Marcus Garvey Cultural Center (Coordinator for Film Series, Book Club, and End-of Year Celebration) from 2011 to 2015, and worked at Career Services as the Marcus Garvey Cultural Center liaison from 2014 to 2015. When asked what her fondest memories are of her undergraduate career, she quickly said, “being at the Garvey.” She went on to say, “if it weren’t for the Garvey, I wouldn’t have stayed [at UNC].”
Well, not only did she stay, but graduate with her degree and in August of 2015, Ms. Houston joined the Office of Admissions as the Inclusive Events Coordinator where she assists in planning events focus on unique populations, facilitates group visits and event days that are tailored for under-served populations, and trains student ambassadors about inclusive language.
Ms. Houston’s future career aspirations include securing a position as a professor where she can teach philosophy and/or Africana Studies with a focus on mindfulness. In addition to the academic focus of her career, she aspires to open a community cultural center that focuses on the African diaspora. One specific hope for her cultural center is to have a community garden where she can help people learn about growing their own food and healthy eating.
And while Ms. Houston’s sights are set on such important work focused on the community, she shared some advice for current students was really clear and poignant. She encourages students to, “take advantage of resources, ask for help when you need it and don’t quit!”
If you would like to connect with Ms. Jasmine Houston, you may reach her at Jasmine.Houston@unco.edu.
