Jena Howie
Master of Science in Community Development
Purpose Statement: Jena believes fully in the great potential and goodness of the world and all its people. She values positivity, sustainability, and hard work. Jena believes children are the key to our future and works with passion to ensure all children have opportunities and freedom to explore their ideas and dreams.
Jena Howie considers a few places her home. She is originally from Corvallis, OR and later moved to Godley, TX before starting her seventh grade year. She attended Baylor University in Waco, TX where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts. During her Teach for America commitment, Jena taught in Yazoo City, MS. Jena stayed for a third year in Yazoo City to continue developing the school’s journalism program. Jena is a positive, outgoing young woman and enjoys the life and energy in Jackson, MS where she currently resides and teaches.
Jena’s social entrepreneur project incentivizes positive academics and excellent behavior in schools with the reward of local, cultural experiences such as a trip to the art museum, a private golf lesson, or a Delta soul food tour. Her nonprofit organization will facilitate experiences for kids by partnering with local businesses, artists, musicians, athletes, etc. and providing passports for kids to experience their community and get stamps, like one would when traveling the world. In this, students are investing themselves in their own academic success and the community is investing itself in students.
Fun Fact: When Jena was younger, 14 maybe, she beat the video game TonyHawk Pro Skater on the Play Station.
“Try to breathe deeply, really to taste food when you eat, and when you sleep, really to sleep. Try as much as possible to be wholly alive with all your might, and when you laugh, laugh like hell. And when you get angry, get good and angry. Try to be alive. You will be dead soon enough.”