Jerrel, Resident Scholar, Graduates with His MBA!
May 18th was an incredible day of grace and celebration for the Ignacio House family. In a hall crowded with loved ones, faculty, and students, Jerrel, one of our resident scholars, became the first person to complete his graduate studies at Mercy College earning a Master in Business Administration (MBA)!
Jerrel has been with Thrive For Life since its inception. In the early days of our spiritual retreats behind the walls, Jerrel met Fr. Zach and became a regular retreatant. Expressing interest in continuing the good work of education beyond the prison walls, Jerrel began his studies at Mercy College School of Business to develop his business analytics acumen. As his studies progressed, Jerrel concentrated his coursework on managerial analytics—the processes that distinguish descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analysis within firms and industries at large. In addition to his classes, Jerrel was inducted into the Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society at Mercy College for academic excellence and leadership. It did not stop there! At graduation, Mercy College awarded him his degree with distinction for superb academic performance in his studies.
Since graduating, Jerrel has begun to plan what comes next for him beyond Ignacio House. This past May, he accepted an offer at Fortune Society—a New York-based non-profit organization that supports successful reentry for folks coming home from prison and facilitating alternatives to incarceration—as a Program Analyst. In this role, Jerrel will provide system and program enhancements, as well as support the program evaluation and quality improvement efforts. In a tremendous demonstration of character and regard for our brothers and sisters coming home from prison, Jerrel will apply his many talents toward the noble goal of giving communities affected by incarceration an opportunity to thrive and flourish.
We at Thrive For Life celebrate Jerrel and the incredible work he has done. As our first graduate, he encapsulates the very best attributes of our community and serves as a powerful example of the transformative effect of education. We wish Jerrel many blessings and graces as he begins this next chapter in his life.
Congratulations, Jerrel!