Jashina Hunter

One of the many aspects of the University of Bridgeport that attracts students is the diversity, and for Jashina Hunter, this, the different clubs/organizations and the university's academic life were what attracted her the most. From Stamford, Connecticut, Hunter decided to be a part of the UB community for the full four years and major in Social Sciences. She also minored in Criminal Justice & Sociology with a concentration in Pre-Law.

Hunter is the vice-president of Pi Gamma Mu, an International Honor Society of Social Sciences and the President of the Black Student Alliance (BSA), a campus organization that was established in 1969 and acknowledged at that time as OBS (Organization of Black Students).

"It's to bring UB students together and support cultural events," Hunter said. "I don't look at it as being black."

Hunter explained that she began having her own views concerning BSA and how it could grow. She went from being the vice-president to President and immediately began implementing the ideas she had.

"[We] started other traditions, like the basketball tournaments [and] Six Flags," Hunter said.

Hunter appreciates when students come up to her and inquire about BSA's upcoming events and believes that is an achievement in itself.

"It's [being President of BSA] more like the real world," Hunter said. "That's why it means more."

Hunter said that she has always been interested in having a leadership role.

"My mother raised me to be a leader," she said. "It was always predestined; I just had to step up to the plate."

Director of the ARC and FYS [Professor] Roxie Ray said that she is very proud of her. "She started out in my program [FYS]," Ray said. "It's always gratifying to see a student come in, mature and progress."

Growing up, Hunter felt as though the people in her neighborhood weren't being represented enough. She described herself as being an activist as a child and was always on the side of those individuals who were being treated unfairly.

"At seven years old, my ultimate goal was law," Hunter said.

Vice-President of BSA Mpinga Kabirigi feels honored to have a best friend with such good qualities.

"Jashina is an independent, strong, care-giving person that fears no one but God," Kabirigi said. "Working alongside her has taught me how to become even stronger than I am. She has a heart of gold."

"My main goal is to be as active as possible and bring UB together as a whole," she said.

Hunter said that her biggest accomplishment is the fact that she's still standing and about to graduate.

"I wake up to achieve," Hunter said. "[My accomplishments are] BSA, UB, graduating in four years and being a better leader."