BALTIMORE, Md. – Jasmine Burton is exactly where she belongs: At Coppin State making a difference in the lives of others.
Burton, a member of the Eagles volleyball program, has accomplished plenty in the last two years away from the court. As a freshman, she passed the Praxis examination. Earlier this year, she was pre-approved for induction into Kappa Delta Pi, a prestigious renowned International Education Society and was honored with an award at the 18th HBCU Retention Conference in Ocean City (Maryland).
The experience of that weekend in Ocean City enhanced Burton’s passion and fuel for helping others, especially children. Reserved by nature, Burton stepped out of her comfort zone and spoke publicly as a part of a panel that included other students from different schools. Burton was the only female on the panel.
“I gained more confidence to speak in public and how I can impact people with my words,” Burton said. “It’s difficult to open up and answer any questions. It was weird. It’s definitely helped me to be less reserved in certain situations. I also gained lots of network opportunities. I didn’t know I was going to be on a panel until that day. I wasn’t prepared for topics and didn’t know what to expect.”
The panel turned out better than Burton even could have imagined. Burton spoke from her heart. Among some of the topics they discussed were what would they change about their school and what can be done to increase student retention. A couple of other topics were also aimed at the first-generation college students that were on the panel. The award winners were announced during lunch.
“I spoke on what advisors can do to help retention,” Burton said. “I said they can get to know the personalities of who they are advising. That way, they can be at their best potential to succeed. My advisor (Robert Eccles) told me to apply for the (HBCU Retention Conference). He shared that it would be a great experience for me. The honors college paid for my whole trip and I wrote a letter of thanks to them.”
Burton is an elementary education major who has her sights set on receiving a master’s degree in special education once she turns her tassel in two years. Burton has a head start on making an impact. She currently tutors fifth graders as part of a mentoring program, volunteers at Gwynns Falls Elementary School and is part of a little sister, big sister program.
“I just have a natural inclination to help others and want to do more,” Burton said. “I want to be an advocate for misunderstood and misrepresented children. I have a passion for the way for they look at life. Everyone is not equipped to help them and they need help. The feeling of knowing that I am someone that a student may never forget means a lot. I love that.”
Later this fall, Burton will be a junior on the Eagles volleyball team. She will be looked upon to take more of a leadership role. In her first two years, she’s had the wonderful fortune of being surrounded by a strong veteran core. The experience in Ocean City will help Burton this season.
“I am using everything to make sure the freshman feel at home and are comfortable,” Burton said. “As a program, we’re all going to have to deal with a change. So my goal is to make sure that the freshmen feel comfortable. Also, it’s really important that we’re a team.
The theme of the weekend conference was “The Changing Face of HBCUs in the 21st Century.”
The purpose of the Summit was to provide opportunities for representatives of all groups concerned about the persistence of African American and other minority students in higher education to come together to: Address the problem of retention of African American students in colleges and universities, celebrate successful retention programs in higher education and propose action plans to increase the persistence of African American students in higher education.
Burton also had an opportunity to meet and chat with Johnny C. Taylor, President and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and Dr. Mattie Yvette Wimberly, Dean of Retention and Student Success at Arkansas Baptist College.
“I didn’t realize my impact on faculty members,” Burton said. “It was humbling to know that some of them are using some of the suggestions I made about advisors and implementing them on their campuses. I still keep in contact with Ms. Wimberly and to hear her tell me that I made an impact, did a lot for me.”