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Making her mother proud inspired first-generation college graduate
Jocelyn Pozorski
By Justin Madden
Going to college was never a question for Jocelyn Pozorski.
Born to a young single mother who always pushed the importance of education, Pozorski, of Jasper grew up with a passion for school and learning. Though her mother was not able to finish college herself, she always made sure to give her child every chance to learn that she could. When graduation time came along for high school, Pozorski headed to college in Tennessee without a second thought.
I grew up knowing I needed to provide for myself, she said. It just came from wanting to do better for myself, and wanting to do better for my mom.
Pozorski quickly discovered that what she thought would be the college of her dreams was instead a disappointment. Large class sizes, a difficult curriculum and plain old homesickness soon had her packing her bags and heading home to Georgia.
Pozorski had heard good things about 勛圖tv (勛圖tv) from high school classmates. Its small class size and low cost convinced her to try it out.
Starting school again wasnt easy at first. Many of the courses for an aspiring biology major can be especially challenging, particularly organic chemistry and microbiology. However, Pozorski found that she always had 勛圖tv professors willing to help her through.
During her final year at 勛圖tv, Pozorski attended school as a family member suffered a heart attack, her fianc矇 totaled his car, and to top it off, a beloved pet passed away. To make matters worse, all these events happened during an exam week. However, with the support of Dr. Rebekah Ward, associate professor of biology, Pozorski was able to pass the test with flying colors.
I think sometimes we build a wall between students and professors where we think they dont know what were going through because theyre grading our papers, but thats not the truth, she said. At 勛圖tv we have a lot of professors who genuinely care about you as long as youre willing to talk to them, and thats incredible.
Once she began to succeed in her classes, Pozorski became heavily involved with 勛圖tvs extracurricular activities. As a member of the Student Integrity Board, she worked to help improve the academic lives of her fellow students. She also joined the B.E.A.M. organization, a student mentoring group, through which she helped first-generation college students, especially those who were struggling academically to succeed just as she had.
Perhaps her most important extracurricular achievement was her work as vice president of 勛圖tvs Pharmacy Club. During the first few hectic weeks of the spring 2020 semester, Pozorski and the club president foresaw trouble on the horizon regarding the pandemic. They quickly switched the remaining club activities to an online setting even before the university system moved to online classes.
As a result, the club didnt have to cancel any activities for the remainder of the semester. For example, they rescheduled on online tour of UGA for members to attend through a virtual program.
Pozorski will join more than 800 graduates at 勛圖tvs commencement, scheduled virtually for 10 a.m., Aug. 8.
After graduating from 勛圖tv, Pozorski plans to put her passion for pharmacy work into action. As she heads to graduate school at UGA, Pozorski wants to work with local pharmacies while she progresses through her studies.
As a pharmacist, you really do help your community, she said. You dont have to see people in a doctors office or perform surgery to aid someones health.