First Generation Story: Meet Professor Jamie Jones
Meet Professor Jamie Jones: As an environmental major in her (first) undergraduate program, Professor Jamie Jones watched a Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) documentary on preventing malaria through mosquito nets. At that moment, she realized that people cannot help the environment if their basic needs are not met. This epiphany served as the catalyst for a passion in public health. The intersection of environmental science and human health explained an undeniable truth: environmental stewardship could only be embraced if fundamental human needs were satisfied. With a belief in the right to basic needs, Professor Jones developed an understanding of the intertwined nature of public and environmental health, recognizing the foundational role of meeting essential human needs as a precursor to fostering holistic care for our planet.
Academic Journey
In navigating the world of academia, Professor Jones dropped out of two universities before her arrival at Portland State University (PSU). She credits the development of her frontal lobe and entering higher education in her mid-twenties to be the turning point that both motivated and enabled her to achieve academic success. It was at PSU that she buckled in as a full-time student to earn a bachelor’s degree with Summa Cum Laude. Through her journey, she received the support of her mentor-turned-colleague Belinda Zeidler (also first generation faculty) who laid the groundwork for academic excellence. Professor Jones also credits the strength of an inclusive community at PSU that reveres non-traditional students to her sense of belonging and academic success.
Leann Into Your Lived Experiences
Today, as a dedicated member of the academic faculty, Professor Jones has a personal understanding of the first-generation student experience; this individual brings a wealth of empathy and socioeconomic insight to the work that she does for her students and colleagues. The advice she offers current first-generation students is both practical and profound: harness the wealth of knowledge and networks from faculty and staff, form bonds with classmates who will become esteemed colleagues, and, importantly, lean into your lived experiences and cultivate relationships with the people and communities you work with. Moreover, Professor Jones stands as a testament to the richness of lived experience—not as a barrier but as a distinct advantage—enabling one to connect authentically with communities and to contribute uniquely to the tapestry of public health. In doing so, her commitment to public health education and advocacy for health equity, reinforces our shared mission to foster well-being for all humanity.