Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) Scholar Jamaika Elliott always knew she wanted to go to college. Raised by her grandmother who instilled in her college goals from a young age, Jamaika felt inspired by her family to pursue an education past high school. Jamaika’s grandmother is a University of Colorado (CU) Boulder Alumna and Jamaika wanted to follow in her college-going footsteps. Her older brother also graduated from CU Boulder in 2021. Like many students, Jamaika faced challenges and barriers, but her resiliency and supportive community helped her continue on.
Jamaika plans on graduating in 2023 with an integrative physiology major. Her dream is to work in sports medicine while specializing in anatomy, and she is considering a career in physical therapy. Over the COVID-19 pandemic, Jamaika says that she struggled to stay engaged in class. She had to push herself out of her comfort zone to find motivation during remote school. Like many of us during the pandemic, Jamaika often found herself alone, in front of a computer camera instead of engaging with students in a classroom. She was able to take a step back and used this time for self-growth and development, analyzing exactly what she wanted out of her college experience and overall goals in life. During her sophomore year, Jamaika switched majors – going from cardiology to sports medicine. And she couldn’t be happier with her decision.
Through the support of her college advisors, Jamaika learned more about careers in sports medicine and even made connections with the sports management community. Jamaika’s family is involved with Denver sports and her uncle played for the Broncos years ago. Jamaika shadowed a family friend who is a physical therapist and found herself dreaming about this career track for post-graduation. Being exposed to the industry she was interested in helped her feel even more confident in the decision she made to switch majors.
Remembering her High School Experience
Jamaika attended East High School, where she visited the DSF Future Center throughout her senior year. There, her DSF College Advisor helped her apply to colleges and find scholarships. She says that her DSF College Advisor helped her look beyond what she thought was possible. Jamaika’s entire tuition at CU Boulder is covered by scholarships, including the DSF Scholarship, which means she will graduate debt free. Not only did she find support for life after high school at the DSF Future Center, but she also made long term friendships and was pushed to think above and beyond.
At CU Boulder, Jamaika is involved with the Black Student Alliance, works with the volunteer resource center, and volunteers for her church. Finding a community at CU Boulder and beyond has helped her gain even more confidence in her college-going experience.
As far as advice for first year DSF Scholars, Jamaika says to remember that not everything is linear. “Take this moment and opportunity seriously but remember that you do not have to be 100% attached to the major or career path you are going to go on. Priorities and your attention changes, and that’s ok. Also, remember to build your support system and community!” Jamaika also highly recommends getting a planner notebook and doing weekly planner mapping. Staying organized has been important to her journey, and she recommends it to anyone heading to college next year!
