Stacey M. Jones

Stacey Jones

Major(s): Sociology
Minor (if any): French
Year of graduation: 2000

Where do you live and work? I am currently living in Brunswick and working as the Coordinator of Multicultural Student Programs in the Division of Student Affairs at Bowdoin.

What is your occupation? (above)

What did you do immediately after graduating from Bowdoin? After graduating from Bowdoin I relocated to Chicago, Il. and worked for SCORE! Educational Centers. SCORE! is a supplemental education program for students from the ages of 4 years - 14 years old. We focused on delivering measurable academic progress, the ability to set academic goals, increased self confidence and helping our members develop a love of learning.

What has been your most worthwhile professional experience? Working as a Center Director for SCORE! I was responsible for the daily business operations in addition to meeting the needs of our members and their families. This was an opportunity for me to find my passion, which is education. I gained priceless management skills but more importantly, I was able to see the results of my work in students everyday.

What are the one or two events, courses or people that stand out in your mind from your time at Bowdoin? Please explain. If I ventured to name names, I would leave someone out! So I must say that the academic and social atmospheres each stand out in their own way. The academic preparation was really valuable in my life after Bowdoin and being able to navigate the social atmosphere also proved helpful. In the professional world I often found myself in spaces that resembled the Bowdoin I knew as a student. As a result I was very comfortable with stepping into new groups and claiming space for myself.

Commencement for everyone is a grand event, but the pageantry and the attention to detail was miraculous! I felt as if I was being treated as royalty during the entire week leading up to graduation.

Has studying sociology or anthropology impacted your perspective (personally, professionally or other)? If so, how? Sociological Imagination is the first thing that comes to mind. I have worked with families and students that have lived a reality I will never live. Some of them in comparison to me were wealthy and had strong family connections some lived in near poverty and had no family connections at all. However, using my sociological imagination enabled me to be sensitive to all experiences. In doing so I was better prepared than most to create a learning environment where families could achieve concrete goals for their student(s).

Is there a piece of advice you wish someone had offered you while still an undergraduate student at Bowdoin? Everyone always gives this advice and I'll repeat it. Enjoy each moment for what it is. Don't worry about after school, don't worry about what happened last semester. Take every day one day at a time and appreciate the small things.