MAY 14, 2021 — Nehemiah Jackson is not one to leave anything on the table. Graduating Magna Cum Laude this month with a degree in politics and law with a minor in both civic engagement and public administration, the Honors College student and Air Force ROTC cadet is committed to maximizing his potential to help rehabilitate the criminal justice system.
Nehemiah is one of only two Honors College students graduating this spring with Honors Distinction since the college implemented its new experiential curriculum in the fall of 2018.
Honors Distinction is reserved for those who go above and beyond the Honors College’s experiential learning requirements.
For Nehemiah, this meant participating in two Honors College special programs. In the spring of 2020, he fulfilled an internship for the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office as part of the Citymester program. In the fall, he participated in the prestigious Bill Archer Fellowship, which further exposed him to the legislative process in Washington, D.C. and helped cultivate his professional network.
Nehemiah feels graduating with the Honors Distinction commemorates his initiative in taking every opportunity to improve himself in and outside of UTSA.
“In high school I felt like I didn’t push myself to do the best that I could,” Nehemiah said. “Coming to college I knew that if I were to get the chance to be accepted into the Honors College, I wanted to make the most of that opportunity. Graduating with Honors Distinction makes me feel like I did my best to get the most out of my experience at UTSA.”
Striving to be better is certainly an integral drive for Nehemiah. Though he was initially invited to the Honors College his freshman year, he was unable to accept the invitation. He worked hard his freshman year and was invited again his sophomore year. For fellow students who might be considering joining the Honors College after their first year at UTSA, Nehemiah offers advice on why it’s worth it.
“Look at it as a way to broaden your career outlook and add some great value to your time at UTSA,” he said. “The curriculum and experiences are there to help you become a better, more well-rounded person.”
Once accepted into the Honors College, Nehemiah thrived in an environment that encouraged his development. Surrounded by a community of students who wanted to achieve great things, he was inspired to do the same.
“I really feel like the Honors College put me around people that made me want to be better, like iron sharpening iron,” Nehemiah explained. “Being around a really niche group of people that not only value their education but value being the best at what they do pushed me to go outside my comfort zone and strive to be better than I was before.”
Nehemiah’s drive for improvement is now focused on reforming the criminal justice system.
“Being able to intern at different organizations and seeing how the law can not only help change the criminal justice system but the United States as a whole—that’s what made me know I wanted to become a lawyer,” Nehemiah said.
After graduating, Nehemiah will serve as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force. After his military service, he intends to become a public interest lawyer. Through his efforts, Nehemiah hopes to transform the criminal justice system into one of rehabilitation, disrupting the high school-to-prison pipeline that devastates many communities across the country.
Today, Nehemiah will be the featured student speaker at the Honors College Stole and Laurel Ceremony, a special ceremony during which Honors College students are presented with their stoles to wear at Commencement.
“I appreciate UTSA going the extra mile, giving me access to a really rich network of San Antonio locals and some of the top leaders in academics,” Nehemiah said. “Having those people help share your collegiate journey and having those connections once you graduate is priceless.”
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