KIPPster of the Month: Jordan Bonner, Cambridge '21, Weslayan '19

Our KIPPster of the Month is Jordan, a KIPP Polaris Alumn attending the University of Cambridge in the UK.

Concentration: Psychology and Education

Favorite Undergraduate College Experience: Competing in the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament as part of the Weslayan Men's Basketball Team. It was an environment like no other and to make the moment sweeter, my beautiful mother came all the way from Houston to watch me play. Although we lost, the moment remains fresh in my mind because I was playing alongside friends/ teammates for something that was bigger than us all.

College Challenge: Learning to distance myself from the wrong crowd. In my sophomore year, I was doing things that were outside of my purpose and ultimately took me off my path. This detour did not affect me academically, but I was not in a good place socially or mentally because I was not myself and was trying to gain acceptance from people who were not doing the right thing. It wasn't until my junior year when I began to surround myself around like-minded people that I was able to recognize who I was again.

Goals: Gain acceptance into the Psychology PhD program at Cambridge.

Stress Management Practice: Focus on developing a strategy to accomplish the tasks ahead. I also listen to calming music and go to the gym to clear my mind.

Motivational Song/Quote: "God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a SOUND MIND".