Taken from the DCTC In The Know Blog: Students from 20 or so two-year colleges in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system will be honored for their selection to the 2011–2012 All-Minnesota Academic Team, which recognizes scholars for their hard work and dedication in pursuit of personal and academic goals while contributing to the success of friends, family and the community. This celebration will be held on March 30, 2012, in Eagan.

One of our very own ECYD students, Jessica Jackson, a double major in Early Childhood & Youth Development and Child Life Assistant has been selected to represent the college on this prestigious team! Way to go Jessica!!

Jessica Jackson served during the Iraq War as a U.S. Army sergeant and unit supply specialist with the 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Ky. She did a one-year tour of duty in Mosul, Iraq, and was in-country when hostilities commenced. A native of  Florence, S.C., Jessica plans to graduate from the Early Childhood & Youth Development and Child Life Assistant programs in spring 2012. She plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree (and then her master’s) at either UW-Stout or UW-River Falls, but she is leaning toward Stout (it’s closer to Green Bay and Jessica is a huge Packers fan).

Jessica was a top-10 finisher at the SkillsUSA Championships June 22 and 23, 2011, during the 47th Annual National Leadership and Skills Conference in  Kansas City, Mo. She placed fourth nationally in the Preschool Teaching Assistant competition. She enjoyed competing and highly recommends SkillsUSA for leadership development and the chance to apply academic knowledge in high-pressure situations.

Jessica testified before the Veterans Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives on behalf of the Higher Education Veterans Program of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. She is married with two children, Jaden, 7, and Justin, 2. Her husband, Jerome, is also a U.S. Army veteran. They both have experience working in our Veterans Resource Center.