Trusting the Journey I Didn’t Understand

Jess’Lyn Sanders | Grambling State University | B.S. Marketing & Business Management | Class of 2025

My name is Jess’Lyn Sanders, a proud graduate of Grambling State University, Class of 2025. But my journey to Grambling didn’t start with a plan. It started with uncertainty.

Two days before I graduated high school, my dad told me I had to leave. As a first-generation college student, I didn’t have a roadmap, a plan, or even a clear vision for my future. I was in a dark place mentally, trying to figure out what my next step would be. I remember living with my best friend Donya, and her mom told me something that changed everything: “You can stay here as long as you want, as long as you’re enrolled in school.” So I took a chance.

With encouragement from my best friend Keeshaun, who was already attending Grambling, I made a decision that would change my life. I packed everything I owned into two cars, changed my number, and left. I had never even seen Grambling’s campus before I arrived. I didn’t know what to expect. I was scared, uncertain, and honestly just trying to get away.

What I didn’t realize at the time was that I was stepping into a blessing.

Grambling State University became more than just a school to me. It became my safe space. It became my foundation. It became the place where I found myself.

During my time at Grambling, I didn’t just exist, I thrived. I stepped into leadership in ways I never imagined. I had the honor of serving as Miss Grambling State University, Miss Earl Lester Cole Honors College, Vice President of the President’s Student Leadership Initiative, Director of Public Relations for SGA, and so much more. I even founded my own nonprofit, EmpowerHER. Every role I held revealed something new about me, my purpose, and my passion for service.

“I didn’t just exist at Grambling, I became who I was meant to be”

But beyond the titles, the greatest thing I gained was self-discovery. Grambling gave me opportunities I never thought were possible. I traveled to places like Boston, attended Essence Festival through partnership opportunities, and even experienced the Super Bowl. Coming from a background where I had never traveled, those moments expanded my vision and showed me what life could be.

My HBCU experience didn’t just prepare me for the real world, it transformed me. It gave me a hard shell. It turned my pain into purpose. Grambling pressed me into who I was called to be. It taught me resilience, perseverance, and how to stand firm in who I am, even when life gets difficult. Most importantly, it taught me how to finish what I started.

That’s why I believe HBCUs are so powerful. They don’t just educate you, they pour into you. They build leaders from the inside out. They teach confidence, identity, and purpose while surrounding you with a community that looks like you, supports you, and pushes you to grow.

If I could tell any prospective student one thing, it would be this: know your “why.” Don’t get caught up in trying to fit in or chasing status. Stay grounded. Stay focused. Be intentional about your journey. And most importantly, trust God’s plan over your own.

Because sometimes, what feels like the most uncertain decision of your life can lead you exactly where you’re meant to be.

Grambling State University didn’t just change my life. It saved it.