Dejonai Willis
With a college degree, Dejonai Willis aspires to help people, specifically through prison reform. Dejonai believes that there are innocent people in prison who need her help.
“People are being wrongly incarcerated and do not have the right income to defend themselves. The system is corrupted. “ To fight this corruption, Dejonai applied for the Criminal Justice program here at UMass Lowell. Unfortunately, since her request came a little late, she was put into the Psychology program. However, she really enjoys her psychology classes and has declared a double minor in Legal Studies and Criminal Justice. Dejonai grew up in Jamaica and immigrated to the U.S. during high school. Due to the move, she had to spend an extra year in high school. There was no doubt whether she would go to college since in Jamaica, they are very focused on their education. Additionally, her late mom was very supportive of her choice to get an education. Her high school counselors, as well as her cousin, helped her along the way since the process of applying to college was very new and foreign to her. “I don't live with my dad, because my dad lives in New York, and my mom died two years ago. So, I'm living with my aunt now and I had to do most of my stuff alone, but my guidance counselor really helped me through the process.” |
While going to school full time, Dejonai balances two jobs. One of these jobs is at the Inn and Conference Center and the other one is at University Crossing. When asked if she had the choice between working and not working at all, Dejonai answered with
“I would still work. I feel like with experience comes knowledge. Experiences helps you navigate what you want to do in the future. I feel like you must put in the work to get something out of it”
Though Dejonai faced a lot of obstacles in her life, she doesn’t see her status as a first-generation college student as a disadvantage.
“I feel like there is opportunity for everybody. I wouldn’t say it’s a disadvantage, it’s just a learning process.”
“I would still work. I feel like with experience comes knowledge. Experiences helps you navigate what you want to do in the future. I feel like you must put in the work to get something out of it”
Though Dejonai faced a lot of obstacles in her life, she doesn’t see her status as a first-generation college student as a disadvantage.
“I feel like there is opportunity for everybody. I wouldn’t say it’s a disadvantage, it’s just a learning process.”