Natasha Jenkins

June 8, 2009 Spotlight

 Natasha Jenkins, graduate of Hamilton College in New York 2007, starting law school in the fall 2009

Natasha is a native of the Southside of Chicago and a graduate of Good Counsel High School, class of 2003. She attended Hamilton College in Clinton, New York and graduated in 2007. Natasha says that her greatest challenge at Hamilton was adjusting to her surroundings, “Hamilton’s socio-economic and academic terrain greatly differed from what I was familiar with growing up on the Southside. However, Scholarship Chicago’s workshops and support network have prepared me to adjust and thrive in my new environment.” Natasha says that in addition to financial help from Scholarship Chicago, she felt that mentoring helped her tremendously. “My mentor has encouraged me to embrace my surroundings and create positive experiences for myself.  While at Hamilton I served as the President of the Black Student Union, a Multi-cultural Ambassador and a Scholarship Chicago peer-mentor. In addition, I discovered my love for studying American History, Africana Studies and Political Science.”

“Once I completed my first year of college, Scholarship Chicago helped me land an internship at Winston & Strawn, a prestigious law firm in Chicago. While working at that law firm, I developed an interest in the legal field and it became clear to me that I wanted to become an attorney. Each summer thereafter, I worked as a project assistant/paralegal at various law firms, including DLA Piper and Reed Smith. During my senior year of college, I interned in Washington D.C. for Congressman Bobby L. Rush where I had the pleasure of interviewing several members of the Congressional Black Caucus and conversing with our current President, Barack Obama and the first lady, Michelle Obama. After graduating from Hamilton I spent a year and a half working as a College Counseling Assistant at the Latin School of Chicago and interning for a Chicago Alderman.” Natasha was recently appointed to serve as a Chairman of the 3rd Ward Chapter of Young Democrats of Cook County.

“This fall I will begin my first year as a full-time student at The John Marshall Law School. I am grateful that over the last six years SC helped me develop a solid foundation which includes a great education, phenomenal work experience and minimal undergraduate debt. As an alumna of the program I have benefited from all that SC has provided. Now I look forward to serving as a mentor and supporting the program in any way that I can.”