First-generation college student Jessi Saldana has made the most of his two years at Lone Star College-Montgomery.
The 2006 Willis High School honors graduate said even though no one in his family had attempted college before him, his parents encouraged him to go. It was a very smart move by what his professors refer to as an “extremely motivated” student.
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| Jessi Saldana, left, works with Lone Star College-Montgomery political science professor David Kennedy on an honors project. Saldana, the first in his family to attend college, has made a name for himself at LSC-Montgomery, and he plans to continue his education at the University of Houston. |
Two years, several recognitions, and even a couple of trips to New York later, Saldana is ready to earn his associate’s degree from LSC-Montgomery in business and pursue a bachelor’s degree in international business from the University of Houston.“I thought that community colleges were just a kind of cheaper, easier and smaller version of a university,” said Saldana. “I couldn’t have been more wrong. Even though it was less expensive, it was very challenging and it gave me opportunities that I know I would not have had if I’d started at a big university.”
Selected to be on the Lone Star College System’s National Model United Nations (NMUN) team, Jessi recently traveled to New York City along with 11 other Lone Star College students representing the Union of Myanmar. The NMUN is the largest of the collegiate simulations of the United Nations and aims to educate participants about civics, effective communication, globalization and multilateral diplomacy, said David Kennedy, professor of political science at LSC-Montgomery, who serves as a faculty sponsor. Participants research a country, take on roles as diplomats representing their assigned country, investigate international issues, debate, deliberate, consult, and then develop solutions to world problems, he said.
Competing with over 3,000 students from colleges and universities around the world, this year’s Lone Star College student delegation received a distinguished delegation award. Saldana, along with fellow LSC-Montgomery student Brandon Snyder, represented Myanmar on the International Atomic Energy Agency.
“Jessi and his peers were afforded a wonderful opportunity to deal with important international issues by deliberating sanctions against Iran in response to its pursuit of nuclear weapons,” said Kennedy. “Even though this is a mock event, the issues addressed by these students are both real and timely.”
“The model UN opened my eyes up to a lot of different and difficult issues around the world,” said Saldana. “I think we all kind of just go about our business with our school and jobs and don’t really realize the importance of the problems that the rest of the world faces and that it is going to be up to us to one day be the ones that come up with the solutions.”
And Saldana’s maturity and dedication will aid him in being a part of the solution, said Betsy Powers, professor of history at LSC-Montgomery, who, after having him as a student, encouraged him to join the school’s honors program.
“The honors program allows high performing and ambitious students to do a little more in their classes and become more involved. The more I got to know Jessi, the more it became apparent that he belonged in the program,” said Powers.
“He is very insightful and has an innate understanding of things. It’s not surprising to me that he has been so successful here and I fully expect him to be nothing short of spectacular as he moves on to pursue more education.”
On campus, Jessi has been a cheerleader of sorts for the college by giving presentations to other potential first generation college students.
“I told them about how much this school can help them and that coming here was a very, very smart decision,” he said. “It could be the best decision they ever make.”
Saldana, who currently works at the Pizza Shack in Willis, has already tried his hand at various business ventures and said he hopes to one day own a retail business.
Kennedy said he won’t be surprised if Saldana’s business endeavors one day become a household name.
“He is one of the more entrepreneurial students I have come across,” said Kennedy. “Jessi is the kind of student that any community college--or university--would want because of his maturity, drive, and initiative.”
For more information about Lone Star College-Montgomery, visit Montgomery.LoneStar.edu or call (936) 273-7000. The college is located at 3200 College Park Drive, approximately one-quarter mile west of I-45 between Conroe and The Woodlands.
Lone Star College System consists of five colleges, including CyFair, Kingwood, Montgomery, North Harris, and Tomball, six centers and Lone Star College-University Center. With 49,250 students, it is the largest college system in the Houston area, and third largest community college district in Texas. To learn more, visit http://lonestar.edu/.