2021 FOSSI scholar Jalen Saunders is a proud graduate of Delaware State University, where he earned his degree and made a lasting impact as a student leader. Building on that foundation, he delivered an inspiring speech at the 6th Annual HBCU Week Gala, sharing his journey as a FOSSI scholar. We recently caught up with Jalen to reflect on his college experience, the role FOSSI played in his success, and his advice for the next generation of scholars.
Could you share some memorable experiences from your time at Delaware State University? What aspects of college life stood out to you, and were there any surprises along the way?
My most memorable experiences at Delaware State came from the connections I made in the student center and through community service. Serving as president of The GodBrothers of DSU introduced me to incredible people through community events, mentorship programs, and service projects. What struck me most about college was learning to juggle life, academics, and extracurricular activities while constantly evolving over those four years—that mental challenge really pushed me to grow.
How did the FOSSI Scholarship shape your time at Delaware State University? What kind of impact did it have on your academic and personal growth?
FOSSI impacted my college journey from day one. The mentorship accelerated my professional development as a young man and opened up multiple internship opportunities during my undergraduate years. Academically, having someone I could communicate and reflect with about my studies made my workload more manageable and kept me focused on my goals.
Can you tell us about your current career or educational pursuits? How has your college experience influenced where you are today?
I’m currently pursuing my MBA. My college experience was incredibly transformative—I accomplished many personal goals and grew from the countless lessons I learned as an undergraduate.
In what ways did the FOSSI mentorship and/or internship opportunities help prepare you for your professional journey after graduation?
The FOSSI mentorship pushed me to develop strong interpersonal skills in professional settings. The internship opportunities gave me hands-on experience in my field and connected me with other scholars who shared similar interests and goals.
What advice would you offer to current and future FOSSI scholars as they work toward building a successful career after college?
Take advantage of every opportunity and resource around you. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable, and believe in yourself, especially when things get tough and don’t go according to plan.
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