Cierra Jones: Finding her Community at GBC

MEET Cierra Jones ‘21, ‘22

A military brat born and raised in Southern California, Cierra Jones loves to travel, meet new people and experience new cultures. Having lived everywhere from Wisconsin to Washington, her father’s most recent U.S. Navy assignment landed Jones and her family in Newport News, Virginia.

While attending a college fair at the Hampton Road Convention Center in her new hometown, Jones was looking for the U.S. Naval Academy display – her first choice – only to find they weren’t there. Disappointed and ready to head home, it was her father who pushed her to stay and look around. And that’s how Jones embarked on her journey to Goldey-Beacom College.

Jones discovered the 3+3 Early Admission Program with Widener University/Delaware Law School which enables a student to earn a law degree in six years as opposed to the traditional seven or eight years. “That sounded great to me,” said Jones. “The application was free, and the representative was down to earth. Once I applied, the College gave me so many scholarships based on my grades and SAT scores, that I literally only had to pay for housing in my first year. Later, I became an RA (Resident Assistant) which meant my housing was covered too.”

It didn’t take long for Jones to become completely immersed in the GBC lifestyle. During her freshman year, she worked in the school cafe and then began a summer internship at WSFS Bank and continued to do both jobs into her sophomore year.

Initially, Jones didn’t like the small campus. She felt a like a minority, but not for the reasons you might think. She couldn’t identify with student-athletes or international students because she wasn’t one of them. Of course, that thought didn’t last long. With her beaming smile and confident personality, she began making new friends from all over the world.

“That’s what makes the College this huge melting pot, and I’ve always wanted to experience that,” Jones continued. “I want to surround myself with that. That’s how Goldey-Beacom has made me realize there is more to life, and you have to explore it.”

Among her freshman year memories, Jones referred to the wrought iron bench that sits in front of Leach Hall where she would hang out with friends and talk for hours – as late as 2:00 a.m. or is that as early as 2:00 a.m.? “That bench is so memorable because I made friends and built solid relationships just sitting there and talking,” said Jones.

It’s no surprise that it was GBC’s small environment that helped Jones to build these amazing relationships. She realized that she needed this type of environment where she isn’t one of thousands of students. “It helped me develop myself and my confidence. I was coming into myself, my confidence and building a family, but I also had people who were supporting me. I don’t think I would have gotten that at a big school,” Jones said.

She describes her sophomore year as the craziest time management challenge. “I would wake up, go to WSFS Bank, then work a shift at the Lightning Café, then on Mondays and Wednesdays, I was the RA on duty. The next morning, I would do it all over again, and somewhere in between, I would fit in homework and classes.”

Following that year of running full speed ahead and having no time for herself, Jones decided to make personal changes for her junior year saying, “I realized I couldn’t keep living like that. I had to find some balance. I started working out and setting priorities.”

Becoming a lawyer was number one. She recalled Adjunct Faculty member Brett Bendistis Esq. who teaches criminal law. “He was my first legal teacher,” she said. “He encouraged me and forced me to analyze everything, but he was also a real person.”

Bendistis tutored Jones for LSATs and helped to raise her score an additional 15 points. He told Jones not to worry if she didn’t get it right away sharing that he was a mailman for 10 years and also has his own business. He said, “Life is not a straight line. You’re going to get there sooner or later.”

Jones notes him as an amazing teacher who impacted her career, mindset and experience at GBC. Jones is currently enrolled to pursue her Master’s degree in Human Resource Management at GBC while continuing to work as a graduate assistant for Residence Life in the Student Affairs Department.

Jones works hard and studies hard toward her goals. “I dream of having financial freedom through owning a business, being my own boss and helping people within the community,” she said, then casually added, “All that while I’m simultaneously traveling and exploring the world and living that van life. I work toward that every day.”

Looking back, Jones said thoughtfully, “Four years ago, the College embraced an opinionated, hard-working, and determined broke girl with open arms and showered her with opportunities and helped her soar into womanhood.” She continued, “Goldey-Beacom demonstrated to me that I wasn’t just a number in their student body, but a person whom they cared about and valued.”

This article was previously featured in The Goldey-Beacom College Magazine