Making an Impact with The Impact Movement

"It's Bigger Than Me"

It is the end of the year at the University of Detroit Mercy. The crisp cold is in the air and flakes of snow are beginning to fall from the clouds. Anxiety is at an all time high and the busy day of a college student never ends. From taking final exams, the longs days of studying, limitless sleepless nights and even the endless supplies of ramen noodles and popcorn. The amounts of stress that college students face on a daily basis can be under-recognized and sometimes under-valued. But imagine facing all of this, taking 16 credit hours, majoring in mechanical engineering and adding to the mix; being the president of a nationally recognized Christian organization and somehow making it all work and having fun while doing it.

This is the life of sophomore and mechanical engineering major, Jasmine Jefferson.

Jefferson is a resident of Pontiac, Michigan.

She has a very close-kit family that includes 2 other sisters, her mom, dad and role-model; her grandmother.

Jefferson's Christian foundation has been something she has always kept close to her heart.

One of Jefferson's greatest accomplishments has been being the first African American valedictorian of her high school class at Clawson High School.

Jefferson works on campus as a chemistry and math tutor at the Student Success Center or sometimes known as the Learning Center.

Besides being a busy college student, one of her hobbies includes being an artist.

Jefferson has been drawing and painting all of her life.

She loves to work with oil pastels and acrylic paints.

From digital art to even acrylic paintings, these skills help her relieve that stress of everyday life.

Jefferson is currently the president of The Impact Movement at The University of Detroit Mercy.

The Impact Movement is "a partnering ministry taking the truth of Jesus Christ to the campus, community and world by producing leaders of African American descent who are spiritually focused, financially responsible and morally fit."

It was founded in the year 1991 and the organization is currently on 60 different college campuses nationwide.

"The role as Impact president is bigger than me, I am servicing my college community and that is a great feeling."

-Jasmine Jefferson

Giving back to the community is something Jefferson knows all to well.

Jefferson's involvement in her church has given her the opportunity to create a love for giving back and contributing to her surrounding community.

Jefferson volunteers at a neighborhood camp, visits nursing homes, collects donations and does service bell-ringing for her local Salvation Army.

Throughout the year she loves to praise dance at her church and work closely with the outreach and young adult ministry.

"Church is where i first began giving back. The church taught me valuable lessons to serve my community. I was taught that helping others is most important and at the end of the day the people i help bless me more than i am blessing them."

-Jasmine Jefferson

The Impact Movement is geared toward being more of a family rather than just being a group the just meets weekly.

That's Jefferson's favorite part about the movement.

She loves that she is not just apart of a group but a family.

"We are a family of leaders," said Jefferson, "To grow, you have to surround yourself with people who want to grow and see you grow."

Throughout the fall and winter semester, the Impact Movement holds bible study every Thursday during the fall and every Tuesday during the winter at 7:30.

These bible studies involve real topics and an open and a non-judgemental atmosphere for discussions.

Some of the topics include love, freedom and regeneration.

Being the president of any club or organization is not an easy job but a job that is needed to make campus life lively and memorable.

"I would be lying if I was to say that being president is easy but luckily I am surrounded by people who want to see me win."

-Jasmine Jefferson

Jefferson said that as president I am required to stay on task and on top of things. Deadlines are due, events need to be planned and there are events that I have to commit to.

Jefferson is nothing less than a perfectionist but being president of Impact made her realize somethings.

"I realized I can't do everything by myself, It takes people I can depend on to help me as well," said Jefferson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_23CwL_qpvs

Next semester, give Impact a try and make an Impact in your community!