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Janice Marie DeJordy

Biography

Profile:  Each Scholar is obviously different in his or her own way.  Each has strengths and weaknesses, but all possess a desire to better themselves and society.  And then there are Scholars like Janice DeJordy who when reading her story one can’t help but want to give her a standing ovation.  Janice had a successful career as a cosmetologist and in business, raised a family, then decided she wanted to do something more than make her customers feel good about their hair style.  While it seems the majority of the Foundation Scholars decide to study in areas far away from their homes, Janice is fine staying in the Albany, New York capital region where she was born and raised.  Janice is preparing for a new career where she can really make a difference.  Work begins in the summer of 2011 at SUNY Albany where she’ll be seeking a graduate degree in social work with the goal of becoming a licensed clinical social worker, and her ultimate goal of helping veterans returning to their civilian lives after combat.

Inspiration: Family inspires Janice each day.  Her greatest achievement “has been and will always be my children and the honor of being a grandmother to my grandson Dustin” who was born at the same time Janice won the 2009 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. 

Aspiration: While a student at SUNY Albany, a professor who was an Army Reservist told her about the desperate situation of returning veterans and the lack of counselors to help them deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorders.  “At that time I knew I wanted to be in the mental health field, but felt this was a great opportunity to really do something of great importance for those who have served our country,” said Janice.

Making a Difference:  Janice was an active member of several service organizations at both Schenectady County Community College and at SUNY Albany where she assisted in organizing fund raisers for important global events such as the Tsunami in Japan. Volunteering, she said, “brings about a sense of accomplishment as well as knowing you are doing something important for others.”

Accolades: Janice earned the Presidential Scholarship each semester she was enrolled at SUNY Albany and was a Dean’s List student.  She was also named to the National Social Work Honor Society.

Interesting Fact: It has been Janice’s lifelong dream to someday go on an African safari.

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