Jamar Pride is making the most of his time at NOVA by taking advantage of student life opportunities, including serving as a student ambassador on the Woodbridge Campus. At a recent summit hosted by the U.S. Department of Education at NOVA, Jamar was honored to take center stage and participate in a panel discussion. The summit was aimed at improving the transfer process for students nationwide.
Jamar learned about NOVA from family members who had also attended NOVA. Their stories and experiences had an impact on Jamar, and he decided to research the College as an option for his own education. What sold him was NOVA’s Guaranteed Admission Agreement program. In 2022, Jamar graduated from Gar-Field High School in Woodbridge and enrolled at NOVA.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.
The driving force behind my strong work ethic is my family. Their influence has instilled in me a commitment to give my utmost effort in everything I undertake.
Outside of my academic pursuits, I have a great passion for cooking, maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular workouts and expressing my creativity through writing. I derive immense joy from the act of creating, whether it’s developing new recipes or crafting scripts for theatrical productions.
What brought you to NOVA?
NOVA holds a special place in my family's educational journey. My grandmother, mother and aunt are NOVA alumnae. My mother benefited from NOVA's Career Services programs, which led to her first teaching job and subsequent opportunities in the educational field.
My family’s shared experiences at NOVA have consistently highlighted the sense of unity that the College fosters among its staff, students and the surrounding community.
What are you studying at NOVA?
I’m pursuing an associate degree in business administration, and I’ll graduate from NOVA in the summer of 2024. Afterward, I intend to transfer to George Mason University to continue my studies in business administration.
Tell us about your experience at NOVA (i.e., professors you’ve liked and friends you’ve met).
In addition to focusing on my classes, I serve as an event coordinator and a student ambassador on the Woodbridge Campus.
At the beginning of my time here at NOVA, and with my mother’s help, I decided to become a work-study student. Doing so allowed me to work part time on campus while contributing to my educational expenses. As an event coordinator, I help external groups plan and organize events on campus.
As a student ambassador, I’m a representative of the College. I’m responsible for assisting visitors at the front desk, facilitating NOVA events, leading campus tours and representing the institution at panels and conferences. As a student ambassador with Student Life, my goal is to engage students beyond the classroom, providing them with experiences and services that support their overall wellbeing.
What would you tell a student coming to NOVA?
I would let them know that NOVA is more than a community college; it's the college for the community.
NOVA has so much to offer, including a wealth of personal and professional growth opportunities for students, staff and the broader community. It's a dynamic institution that plays a pivotal role in shaping students' lives and the community it serves.
Where do you see yourself after NOVA or what career pursuits are you exploring?
After NOVA and George Mason, I plan to enroll in [Mason’s] law school. I’d like to specialize in commercial dispute resolution and eventually establish my own legal practice.
As a commercial dispute lawyer, I will mediate and resolve disputes among corporations, partnerships and commercial organizations. My interest in this branch of law was sparked during my research into various tracks of the legal profession.