
Hi there, I’m Jesika
My name is Jesika McDaniel
Hometown: Greensboro, NC
High School: Southeast Guilford High
College: Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

Bio
Ever since I was young, I have always strived for going above expectations and being a positive role model for others. During my freshman year of high school, I decided I wanted to graduate a year early. I told my family, my friends, and my guidance counselor. The majority of the feedback I got was, "You can't do that", "Colleges won't accept you", "Your people don't usually do that". Although those words were discouraging coming from people whom I trusted and looked up to, it did not stop me. I was determined to fulfill my dream and set a precedent for the upcoming generation.
On June 12th of 2017, I graduated high school in three years at the age of sixteen. I placed in the top 10% of my class with over a 4.6 GPA. All of this proves that despite the odds if you work hard towards your goals, then you are destined for greatness. My purpose is to encourage, equip, and educate the next generation to chase their dreams of going to college despite what statistics, family, or your guidance counselor have to say.
"Not everyone will see nor understand your vision, but remember it is not for them to comprehend but for you to conquer"
- Jesika M. McDaniel
Education
Southeast Guilford High School
Class of 2017
Summa Cum Laude
Language Endorsement (Spanish)
NC Scholar
National Honors Society
Youth Leadership Greensboro
Service-Learning Diploma (Earned over 400 Service Learning Hours)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
Bachelors of Science in Biological Systems Engineering
Class of 2021
Master's of Education in Science Education
Class of 2022
Organizations & Societies
National Society for Black Engineers (NSBE), Virginia Tech Chapter
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Pre-College Initiative Chair (PCI), 2018- Present
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NSBE-G, Graduate School Committee Chair, 2020- 2021
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T.O.R.C.H Chair 2018-2019
Center of Enhancement Engineering Diversity (CEED), Virginia Tech
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Graduate Assistant 2021-2022
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Service Learning Committee Liason, 2019-2021
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PEER Mentor for Black Engineer Student Transition, 2020
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Diversity Task Force Group, 2019- 2021
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Hypatia Mentor for Female Engineers, 2018
National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME), Scholar
College of Engineering Dean's Team, Undergraduate Recruiter
Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program, Participant
Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP), Scholar