Fall 2023 Chief Student Marshal
Fall 2023 Chief Student Marshal aims to use English degree to start law school journey
Jalexis Edwards, a native of Prichard, Alabama, explored different Historically Black Colleges and Universities before deciding on Southern University. She was closer to her decision after her seeing a friend matriculate at the flagship of the only HBCU system in the nation.
“I was in high school which initially put the school on my radar, and my sister Jaliyah Edwards encouraged me to explore different HBCUS, including Southern,” Edward said. “As I deliberated between my final two choices for undergraduate studies, my mom, providing valuable guidance, ultimately recommended selecting Southern University.”
That decision has her now at the top of her class as the Fall 2023 chief student marshal, preparing to lead her fellow graduates in the F.G. Clark Activity Center on Friday, Dec. 15. Graduating a semester early with a 3.971 GPA, she will receive a bachelor’s degree in English.
“I am extremely ecstatic to serve as the chief student marshal,” Edwards said. “I have an abundance of gratitude for my time at Southern University, so it is an honor to represent the (fall) Class of 2023.”
Edwards has been very involved during her time on the Bluff including Top Jags, vice president of the Pre-Law Society, Thurgood Marshall College Fund Leadership Institute scholar, and Office of Student Media copy editor. She has also received internship and training opportunities, including project manager intern with CDW Corporation, college fellow with Louisiana Progress, and participant in Coca-Cola UNITED’s Pay It Forward program.
As an English major, she saw an opportunity to use what she learned to begin a career in law as a corporate attorney.
“I decided to major in English because of my genuine interest in reading and writing and my desire to refine these skills,” Edwards said. “I also chose my major because I knew I wanted to attend law school and saw data that supported a correlation between law school admissions and my major. I plan on using the skills and experiences I have obtained at Southern to pursue a career in Corporate America. Through working in Corporate America, I hope to gain valuable insights that I can contribute to my immediate career goals and that will serve as a solid foundation for my long-term aspirations of obtaining a juris doctor.”
Edwards’ time at Southern is nearing a close but she’ll always cherish her experience as a student listening to famed Human Jukebox, Homecoming and late-night study sessions in Pinchback with her friends. She credits her parents, Jerry and Zelda Edwards; sisters, Jerika and Jaliyah Edwards; and friends for serving as unwavering pillars of support through her college journey.
As Edwards turns the page to begin a new chapter, one thing she said that she will always take with her is the Friedrich Nietzsche quote: “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.”