Josetta Jones: Passing a great education on to the next generation

Josetta Jones’s association with Northwestern runs deep. Her father, Joseph Jones, Jr. (G52), spoke favorably about his time at the University. The plain truth was the experience he had at Northwestern simply was not possible for an African American student in his segregated home state of Georgia.

      

Joseph never forgot the quality individuals who were pivotal in his academic success at Northwestern. They treated him with fairness and helped provide ample learning opportunities, which contributed to Josetta’s decision to attend Northwestern.

      

“His professors ensured he was able to receive an education that was equal and not separate from other students,” Josetta (McC92) says.

      

Many years later, Josetta’s experience at Northwestern was just as enriching.

      

“I think the University provides a solid education that allows its graduates to think beyond the box,” she said. “I decided to give back financially because I think that Northwestern provides such a great education. Not only within the walls of the University, but also its proximity to Chicago. With my contributions, I hope that current and future students can experience the University.”

      

These days, Josetta serves as the Senior Counsel to the intellectual property practice group at Chevron Corporation, where she is involved in protecting her company’s innovations. She is also involved in her community of Walnut Creek, California. As a member of the strategic planning committee of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area, her research helped guide the non-profit organization’s recruitment of minority volunteers.

      

One of the reasons she stays involved with Northwestern as a member of the Northwestern University Leadership Circle San Francisco Regional Council is to help the University attract more African American engineering students. It seems a Northwestern education is simply too valuable not to want to share.

      

“Because of Northwestern, I have friends all over the world,” she said. “They are leaders in their professions and in their communities. They have a sense of self and community and I believe that Northwestern was a critical part of shaping our adult selves.”

      

Two generations of Joneses can surely attest to that.