Jessica Nisbett
International Vice President - Division II
Jessica Nisbett, International Vice President - Division II was born and raised in the small town of Bangor, Maine. She and her close-knit family moved to Florida in time for her to attend high school, where she founded a service organization to collect food and clothing for area persons in need. A longtime Girl Scout, Jessi organized a new troop while in high school, and also assists with a local Boy Scout troop.
She has always been passionate about helping children, "from a young age I always knew that I wanted to work with children as a career," said Jessi, a psychology major who intends to study for a PhD in child psychology and a law degree, planning to eventually become a child advocate or guardian ad litem.
"I know how important it is to help children because they cannot help themselves," said Jessi, "and as long as I am making a difference I know I will be happy."
Her desire to give back to society was a key factor in her decision to join Phi Theta Kappa. As an honor student, she is grateful for an organization that uses scholarship to serve. "I realized the true potential and impact that this society was making and was eager to be called a 'Phi Theta Kappan.'" As well as Phi Theta Kappa, Jessi is also involved in the Community of Scholars program at her school.
Jessi is currently attending the College of Central Florida. While her choice was based on financial reasons and the college's location, like many other students, Jessi has become an advocate for her college. "The class size, student-teacher ratio and campus organizations make the difference," she says. "Being at a community college has helped me grow as not only a student but a person as well."
Although Jessi thinks anyone would benefit from attending community college, she also believes the transfer process is a concern and possibly the greatest challenge facing community college students. She cites confusion over standards, transferable credits and degree requirements as issues. Jessi, a new member of Phi Theta Kappa, looks forward to learning more about CollegeFish.org, the Society's transfer planning program.
