Making an impact
Jillian is one of the first Northwestern students to pursue a degree in social enterprise, using her gifts as an advocate and leader to make a difference on campus and in her community. In 2021, she won first prize in Northwestern’s IMPACT Competition for her nonprofit diaper bank initiative—a project that will be managed by a local nonprofit ministry, PIECE (Partners in Education, Community Outreach and Embracing Diversity). In addition to serving with the Student Government Association and the Women in Leadership Club, Jillian is an editor for The Beacon and is actively involved in the campus intercultural department.
A perfect fit
For most of my college career, I had been piecing together different majors and minors to include all the areas of study I am interested in. When the social enterprise major became an option, I recognized that an interdisciplinary major in business, theology and entrepreneurship would be the best choice for me. Studying these distinct—yet connected—fields has taught me to challenge my preconceived notions and be in awe of who God is and how God works through others, myself and creation.
Dreaming of wholeness
Northwestern has made me a better advocate for myself and others. Being surrounded by passionate people and diversity of thought has encouraged me to make the spaces I inhabit better for others. I’ve also learned how to articulate my ideas and cause them to work for action and change. Dreaming of a better NWC, a better United States and a better world pushes me to get up every day and make an impact in my community.
Encouraging success
I could rave about Northwestern’s faculty and staff for hours! What a blessing it is to have adults that care for you, believe in you and want to see you succeed. Numerous professors—some of whom I’ve never had in class—have offered me their resources, advice and guidance in pursuing my dreams. When someone believes in you and makes that known to you, it makes it a lot easier to believe in yourself.
Campus mentors
As a young woman with high aspirations, having women in leadership roles on campus is important to me. Northwestern’s female faculty and staff have taught me to be an advocate for others; express myself articulately; be transparent yet confident in my relationships; and live a life of character, balance and joy. They—along with others on campus—inspire me to lead a life of significance and make a positive impact on the people I encounter.
