Jazmin King embraces role as an ambassador and advocate for others.
A transfer student from Jones College in Ellisville, Jazmin King began classes at the University of Mississippi in fall of 2020. Initially, she was intimidated by the change in learning environment, but she soon found her footing.
“I was a new student at a much bigger college and I was taking organic chemistry online,” said King, who hails from Bay Springs. “That was such a big transition. It was also a big transition from having a smaller biology classes at Jones. I went from attending a class of 35 students to taking a class with 200 students.
“I had to change the way I studied. After the first semester, I used the resources that the university provided and learned my way around here. I got to connect with faculty as well.”
Not only did King thrive in the classroom, she was also involved in a wide variety of student activities and honor societies. She served as health chair for the NAACP on campus, was director of the Black Student Union’s special programming and events, and was a Lyceum Scholar.
Her induction into Phi Theta Kappa at Jones allowed her to receive a scholarship. She chose multidisciplinary studies as her major, with minors in biology, entrepreneurship and psychology, and was a member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College.
She is dependable and always available to assist and serve as an ambassador for UM whenever needed.
Karrye Tynes
Sarah Piñón, assistant director of cross cultural engagement and programming at the university’s Center for Inclusion and Cross Cultural Engagement, enjoyed working with King at the Sister2Sister Leadership Retreat.
“Sister2Sister is a space for women of color on campus to connect and develop their leadership skills,” Piñón said. “Jazmin served as panelist at the event to discuss her then-business Sweet Gems by Jaz LLC that focused on the latest trends and gender-inclusive clothing, jewelry and accessories.”
King serves as a Mississippi Outreach to Scholastic Talent, or MOST, mentor and has done so for the past two years.
“She is dependable and always available to assist and serve as an ambassador for UM whenever needed,” said Karrye Tynes, assistant director for access and recruiting initiatives for the Center for Inclusion and Cross Cultural Engagement. “She is creative and used her gift to assist in several successful events during this school year.
“One standout event that she was involved with during the fall semester was BSU’s Fall Festival.”
Looking back on her coursework, King said the multidisciplinary studies capstone class made an impact.
“That course involved explaining the major, and it really makes you reflect and figure out what types of careers you can have,” she said. “I’m so appreciative that the university has this type of major; I would definitely choose the MDS program again.
“I’ll have a gap year while applying to law school. During this time, I plan to apply to different business professional jobs with the state. My minors have made me suitable for a wide range of these jobs; it’s an advantage of the MDS program.”
Law school is a deviation from her initial post-graduation plans. Working on her thesis inspired her to pursue a new path.
“I decided to switch from applying to med school to applying to law school,” she said. “I’m studying for my LSAT now. I thought I could make more of an impact on the law side of things.
“I feel that I can advocate for people in a different way than I could in health care. I’m excited to have the opportunity to do that.”
By Erin Garrett
