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Share thisStudent Spotlight: Davon “DJ” Jackson ‘17
Major: Business Administration
From basketball to “hitting the books,” Davon Jackson is a student of character who has taken advantage of the opportunities that Roberts offers both academically and athletically. Jackson, who shared that playing basketball, has helped him to grow, in a tough year for the men’s team that taught him how to push through the down moments, and strive to be resilient and let his best-self shine through. He has made lifelong friends doing what he loves, playing basketball. Jackson felt called to “push it to the next level” for the good of the team and to show others that they were still making a difference despite the failures. Jackson felt strongly that the team had to take care of each other by never giving up, staying devoted to the game and being confident in each other no matter whether winning or losing.
As a freshman at Roberts, he didn’t consider himself a strong Christian. However, being part of a faith-based community, he became a better person and followed God’s lead. Jackson observed others following in His footsteps and was moved to prioritize things in his life, including understanding the right path and what God’s goals and expectations were for his life. As a goal-oriented person, he became his best by just being himself. He felt valued for his background and experiences, reflecting his diversity, and didn’t feel judged by others. Jackson feels that Roberts is his “comfortable place” and it pushes him to succeed. That includes motivation from professors, team-mates and friends who have propelled him to achieve more than he imagined and to see his best self – which was a double bonus.
As a senior, Jackson recognizes the faculty in the business department as the ones who inspired him to go after his goals, not to dwell on things that were out of his control and who motivated him to handle tough situations in the right way. He also learned to manage his academic work. He focused on the individual tasks with a goal of achieving something greater. With the help from supportive faculty, he remained focused on the target which in the end led to personal growth and discovery.
Learning experiences such as Professor Carrie Starr’s Organizational Behavior class was a stand-out. It involved many class activities and group projects that challenged students to create a better campus community as well as to make a difference in the Greater Rochester area. Jackson especially enjoyed the Leadership Challenge that he felt helped him develop into a leader through developmental opportunities with a mix with different people including alumni in business careers. In the end, Jackson learned about leading others in a respectful way and how to work with intellectually diverse group of people.
At Roberts, besides basketball, Jackson is the student advisory athletic committee president, works with BELL students, and helps in the business department. Jackson isn’t concerned with defeat; in fact he knows that when he accepts that something has failed that it creates opportunities to keep trying. Jackson is confident to keep being the leader who encourages himself and others to keep steadfast.
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