Employer: Florida Gulf Coast University, UGS Advising
Job Title: Academic Advisor I

Jessica graduated with her BA in History in 2014. She made the decision to continue her journey at FGCU, receiving an MA in History. The expertise and mentorship of the faculty allowed her to the ability to continue the relationships she developed with the faculty while an undergraduate student to foster her research, writing, and mentorship skills needed at the Graduate level program. During her first year in the Graduate program she was awarded a Graduate Assistantship. The final year in the program allowed her to gain teaching experience as a Teaching Assistant, and this ultimately led to her position as part-time faculty for the Department of Social Sciences upon her graduation from the MA program in 2016. Her time in the MA program provided opportunities to present and publish research and receive funding to attend a conference in New Jersey. The MA History program also provided her with the transferable skills needed to work with students in higher education, something she does on a daily basis. Presently, she is an Academic Advisor at Florida Gulf Coast University. In addition, she is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Gratz College in Melrose Park, Pennsylvania. Her passion is working with students and illustrating the connection between civic engagement and the importance of studying history. "Luckily, I get the opportunity to do this everyday. However, I would not be in here if it were not for the faculty and opportunities of the BA and MA Programs in History here at FGCU."