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“Our mission is to graduate academically accomplished students, grounded as advocates for social justice, determined to change the world for the better.”

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The Philanderian Journey

Sadie Jones

Sadie Jones

Senior
B.S. Political Science

Sadie Jones is a native of Little Rock, AR and is excited to enter into her Senior year on campus majoring in Political Science. She chose Philander Smith College because she wanted an authentic HBCU experience. Sadie received a scholarship to sing in the Philander Smith College Collegiate Choir and says, “I’ve really enjoyed my experiences here and I’m so happy I chose to attend.”  After undergrad, she plans on going to law school with aspirations of becoming either a Corporate Attorney or a Civil Rights Attorney and owning her own law firm. She is also currently in the process of obtaining her real estate license. 
     
     On Philander Smith College’s campus she is involved in many activities. Sadie was Miss Black & Gold 2019-2020 for the Beta Tau Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,  She’s a second soprano in the Philander Smith College Collegiate Choir, the Public Relations Chairman for  PBD (Platinum by Design), the Secretary for Religious Life, and the lovely President of the NACWC (National Association of Colored Women’s Chapter).
   
      Off campus she volunteers at Dunbar Middle School as an AVID tutor and office clerk (this is her 4th year), as well as the Arkansas Food Bank.  She has also  been an Ambitious Girls Ambassador, mentoring young ladies since 2018. In her spare time, she enjoys singing, graphic designing, spending time with family/friends and volunteering when she can.

Jordan Bailey

Jordan Bailey

Junior
BA in Business Administration
Focus in Entrepreneurship

When asked why he choose Philander Smith College Jordan Bailey, a rising junior replied, “I believe Philander Smith College chose me.” Philander wasn’t his first option, but when he met with recruiter Paul Person and received a Thomas Mason Scholarship, he made the decision to pack his bags in St. Louis, MO and step into a new future for himself right here in Little Rock, AR. “It’s been a wild ride but it’s all been worth it,” Bailey proclaimed. His time here at Philander has always consisted on something NEW. New opportunities, new people to meet to be a mentee too, and new students to meet to be a mentor too. “It’s been a great experience for me.” After graduating Mr. Bailey has numerous business plans setup. Including opening 2 businesses with the knowledge gained through his entrepreneurial degree. He encourages all incoming freshman to keep an open mind and to engage in activities on campus. “Join organizations. They will help you grow here,” Bailey stated. He currently serves in EAAM (Empowering African American Males), Pre-Alumni Council (PAC), he served as the Sergeant at Arms for the Sophomore Class and Mr. Sophomore. All of which have been a great asset and learning tool for him. He wants to encourage students to get under the wing of someone. Just like he did with Dr. Roderick Smothers, 14th President of Philander Smith College. Dr. Smothers gave him a lot of tips on succeeding in the professional world and how to carry himself on campus. Mr. Bailey says that while, “Philander Smith College is a small campus, if you keep a positive mindset and look to change the environment every day you will change yourself for the better.”  

Maria Meneses

Maria Meneses

Class of 2020
B.S. in Biology Pre-Med

Maria Meneses graduated from Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School in Little Rock, AR in 2016. A child of immigrants, Meneses was protected under DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and looking for a school that would provide financial assistance. She went to another HBCU during her freshman year and maintained a 4.0 status, but the school informed her that they could no longer provide for her tuition and fees because of her immigration status. In high school and beyond Meneses was open about her immigration status and has been a fierce advocate for people in similar situations as hers.   She continued to do community work at the legislature and lobbied against anti-immigration legislation. Through there, she met State Rep Vivian Flowers, who became a mentor. She told Rep. Flowers everything that she was going through, “The school took my scholarship, I’m a dead end. I don’t think I’m going to go to college anymore.”  Maria explains that Rep. Flowers got upset with her and told her, “You’re too smart. You can do this! Apply here, Apply there….Apply to Philander Smith College.” And so she did and received a full ride. “I was told that I didn’t have to pay for college anymore. I cried for like three hours! It still gives me goosebumps. It was a miracle that I can continue my education and still help my community out.” Maria is adamant that, “Philander Smith College is an institution that stands for what they say they are. They truly are there to help and they stand for social justice.” Maria plans to go to medical school to become a doctor and to continue doing real estate. Her overall mission is to help all Arkansans to have a better quality of life. She plans on doing that first through medicine, housing, and policy. She wants to attain her Masters in Public Health, once she becomes a medical doctor, so she can inform legislators through her insight as a doctor. She also became a real estate agent so she could effect change in the housing industry by making It more accessible for people of color, more specifically, black and brown communities.

Marce lJagne-Shaw

Marcel Jagne-Shaw

2008 PSC Alum

Born to West African parents, Marcel is a man of vision-- determined to serve as an advocate for marginalized populations, domestically and abroad. He exudes a fiery passion for education that is only matched by his staunch commitment to underrepresented communities. Until every student, everywhere, has an equitable shot at experiencing a high-quality education, Marcel believes there is still work to do. He is a firm believer in the freedom gained through global exposure. Having earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and a Masters of Science in Public Policy, he stands as a proud product of the historically Black college/university (HBCU) experience. Marcel has had the pleasure of serving under the Obama administration as a campus ambassador for the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges & Universities (WHI-HBCU). He also served a three-year tenure as a member to the Board of Higher Education & Ministry for the United Methodist Church. At the appointment of Mayor Day, Marcel serves as an active member to the Human Rights Commission since 2018. Professionally, Marcel has enjoyed a career of impacting the lives of students across various college and university campuses-- he now serves as a senior financial aid administrator for the great state of Maryland. Moreover, he is the father of the brilliant and beautiful Camille L. Jagne-Shaw. Having traversed the road less traveled, Marcel believes that the value of life rests more in the journeys experienced than the destination reached.

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