Jennifer Allen A.A./University Transfer Florida Community College, Class of 2009

A New Leaf

Jennifer Allen
Florida Community College, Class of 2009

At fifteen, she dropped out of high school. Her life went south. But just when things were looking their worst, Jennifer Allen turned over a new leaf in life. And it’s been nothing but success ever since.

Born and raised in Jacksonville, Jennifer is grateful for a wonderful brother, a great mother and “amazing” family and friends. “They have all stood behind me, no matter what the situation. And I have made some really bad decisions in my life.”

“I dropped out of high school at fifteen and then went into a downward spiral,” Jennifer said. “I thought my life was changing for the better when I got married, but I was wrong. Instead it went further downhill. At the end of 2005, I realized that I needed to change. I left my husband and went back to school at FCCJ.”

To say that Jennifer’s life started to take a turn for the better would be an understatement. “I had no clue what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go with my life. I just felt like FCCJ was where I belonged. I attended GED classes in January and February. I took my GED test in February, and when I found out I passed it, that was the start of something new.” Jennifer expects to earn her associate’s degree from FCCJ shortly. Her program of study is psychology, with a minor in business, and she hopes to work in the human-resources field.

Among the things Jennifer enjoys most about FCCJ are the small classes and the caring teachers. “They work with you one on one. I have had so many wonderful teachers that it would be hard to name just one.”

Jennifer’s life took another dramatic turn recently when she adopted five — yes, five — “wonderful” boys. “I am still attending classes full-time at FCCJ,” she said, “and I work part-time in the College’s insurance and real estate department. Then I go home to take care of the five boys.”

It’s a full schedule, to be sure, but it is also part of a full life, with purpose. “I want to be somebody, to be the agent of change, to get ahead,” Jennifer said. “Gandhi once said, ‘Be the change that you want to see in the world.’ I want to be just that.”