Future Ultrasound Technician

Jhene Thomas was born and raised in Chicago with her mom and six siblings. She attended McNair Elementary School and then Prosser Career Academy. In high school, Jhene was involved in several clubs, such as the Black Student Union, Prosser Players as a stage manager, and the senior committee. 

Jhene is now currently a freshman at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale studying as a radiology major. Originally, Jhene had something different in mind when she was thinking about college until she wrote a research paper in high school. “First I wanted to be a veterinarian, but in my junior year in high school, I wrote a ten-page paper about the radium girls. It was interesting to me, and I explored other careers in the medical field because I knew I wanted to work somewhere in the medical field,” said Thomas. 

As Jhene navigates her first year as a first-generation student she mentions that the transition was a rocky start. “[My transition from high school to college] was kind of rough. In high school, I procrastinated a lot, so when I got here in college, it was different. I had nobody with experience around me and I didn’t know what to expect. In the beginning, I procrastinated a lot because I thought it was like high school and I could get this done at the last minute. But that is not the truth, you need to study, and plan out your day and what you need to get done. It was rough for me at first, and now I have gotten into the swing of things and it’s so much better,” said Thomas. 

One thing that helped Jhene adjust is the study plan she made with one of our staff members, A’Niya. “What I appreciate about Pursue Scholars the most is how understanding everyone is and making sure I stay on track. A’Niya has reached out to me a couple of times, and she sat on the phone talking to me to help me come up with a study plan. I wasn’t really in it at the beginning of the year, so just being there when I needed someone to be there for me was the biggest thing. It  has helped me because after we made the study schedule I got back on track," said Thomas. 

Another person who’s been by Jhene’s side since she was in 4th grade is her mentor, Ms. Teirra Scott. Teirra was also a Pursue Scholar, and now she is the Founder/Executive Director of Goddess Mentoring Inc. “Back in elementary school, I was a part of Goddess with Ms.Scott and it was a girls mentoring group. It taught me a lot about myself and my community. We would meet and talk about things, there were some things I wasn’t comfortable with talking about with people at home. Doing so, helped me find myself and understand more of who I am. And what I need to do to be successful. Even when talking to Ms.Scott one on one away from the group, she was always motivating me since 4th grade, she has been by my side since then,” said Thomas. 

When thinking about college, several factors motivated Jhene to pursue higher education. “No one else in my family went to college, so I wanted to be the first one to do so. Also, an IB coordinator in high school always worked with me and she always motivated me. I would tell her how I was so scared to go to college because no one I know has any experience. I didn’t have advice from anyone, and she would motivate me and assure me that everything would be okay and to follow what I wanted to do,” said Thomas. 

Although Jhene still has time to figure out her career, she is interested in becoming an ultrasound technician. She’s currently working on her prerequisites now, and her goal is to get into the ultrasound tech program once she’s finished. Jhene knows she can accomplish anything just by seeing a strong example from her mom. “I grew up in a one-parent household, I always saw my mom taking on everything and being as strong as she could. So, I feel like that’s why I can do what I’m doing right now because I saw a good example in my life of someone who’s strong and defines the odds. I have a pretty good foundation, I have a great support system from my family, my friends, and everyone around me,” said Thomas.

Stories like Jhene's are the reason we are grateful for partners like you. Your gift to Pursue Scholars today will be actively investing in young Chicago leaders and helping them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.