Howard University Helped Me Become Who I Was Meant to Be
My name is Jasean Robertson, and growing up in the projects of Roanoke, Virginia, I learned early that environment shapes perspective. I knew I wanted more than just a college degree. I wanted transformation. I wanted to be surrounded by people who looked like me succeeding at the highest levels, people building, leading, and creating opportunities for themselves and others. That’s what led me to Howard University.
When I arrived at Howard, I quickly realized this experience would demand more from me than academics alone. Howard challenged me intellectually, professionally, and personally. It pushed me to think bigger about my future and forced me to evolve into someone capable of creating opportunities instead of waiting for them.
During my time at Howard, I focused less on simply being involved and more on making an impact. I held leadership roles with the Elections Commission, NAACP, and the National Society of Leadership & Success. I also contributed to initiatives through the Center of Digital Business and Alumni Relations while helping execute major events and programs like AfroTech and Charter Day.
One of the experiences I’m most proud of was being a founding member of New to the Mecca and later serving on its Board of Oversight. Being able to help create structure and opportunity for incoming students meant a lot to me because I understood firsthand how important guidance and community can be when stepping into a new environment.
Beyond campus organizations, I also founded Nexus, a reflection of my desire to build something meaningful of my own while creating impact beyond existing spaces.
Academically, I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Howard University with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. But my HBCU experience was never defined by one accomplishment or singular moment. It was defined by growth through adversity.
Some of my most meaningful moments happened behind the scenes. The late nights, the pressure of leadership, the setbacks, and the discipline it took to continue showing up even when recognition wasn’t immediate. Over time, those unseen moments turned into milestones. I graduated Magna Cum Laude, earned multiple full-time offers, secured a full-ride MBA opportunity, and was named the 2026 Howard University Alumni Association Future Leader Award recipient.
“By the time I graduated, I wasn’t just prepared for the real world. I had already been operating within it.”
What I value most, though, is who I became throughout the process.
Howard didn’t just give me experiences. It gave me the confidence to operate with purpose, lead with intention, and navigate professional spaces at a high level. By the time I graduated, I didn’t feel like I was preparing for the real world. I felt like I had already been operating within it.
That’s why I believe students should attend HBCUs. HBCUs provide something deeper than education. They provide transformation. They create environments where Black students are expected to grow, excel, and lead. They strengthen your identity while preparing you to compete and succeed in every room you enter.
For students preparing to attend an HBCU, my advice is simple. Come in with intention. Academics matter, but preparation goes beyond the classroom. Be willing to take initiative, build relationships, and pursue opportunities early. HBCUs offer countless pathways, but it’s up to you to maximize them.
For me, Howard University took potential and turned it into execution. It helped me redefine my trajectory and showed me exactly what was possible for my life.
