Jasmin McMillon, Foundation’s New Acorn Fund Enrollment Manager, Shares Passion for Helping Students Navigate Complex World of Higher Education
When Jasmin McMillon left the campus of Howard University as a young college graduate, pursuing a job in higher education was the last thing on her mind. The Burlington, New Jersey, native instead chose to apply her recently conferred degree in fashion merchandising to Abercrombie & Fitch’s managerial training program, eventually running two of the retailer’s stores. Eleven months later, McMillon desperately wanted out.
“Simply put, I needed a change. Just when I thought I couldn’t take retail anymore, the opportunity to reenter the higher education space presented itself,” McMillon said. “I leveraged my customer service experience to land that first role, and I haven’t looked back.”
Today, following stints at three South Jersey-area college campuses, McMillon is launching the next chapter of her career in higher education as the Foundation’s Acorn Fund Enrollment Manager. Responsible for the day-to-day management of the Foundation’s signature college savings account program, she is now the primary point of contact for Salem students and parents who have questions about their account, are looking to enroll in the program or want to request a distribution of funds.
McMillon comes to the Foundation from the Rutgers University School of Business in Camden, New Jersey, where she coordinated the daily operations of its online academic programs. Prior to that, she served as an Adult & Transfer Admissions Recruiter for the Philadelphia campus of Harrisburg University. McMillon got her start in higher education at Camden County College, overseeing the administration of two grants and working as an enrollment services associate. Across her various positions, two things have always remained constant: an unyielding passion for advising students and a keen ability to translate the often complex world of higher education into an easily understandable path forward for those who might have never before stepped foot on a college campus. McMillon looks to bring both skill sets to her new role with the Foundation.
“I know just how challenging – and sometimes frustrating – it can be to navigate the entire college journey, so I’m hoping my first-hand knowledge of the inner workings of higher ed will help keep the Foundation’s students on the right path,” McMillon said. “Although my position will entail a lot of behind-the-scenes work and communication with parents, I still am looking forward to speaking one-on-one with students, adapting to their individual needs and sharing what I’ve learned throughout my career.”
From the moment McMillon first learned of the Foundation after reading a posting on her church’s bulletin board, she knew she wanted to join the organization. She strongly believes in the transformative power of education, viewing a college degree as a gateway to a myriad of opportunities just waiting to be seized.
“After graduating from Howard, so many doors opened for me,” McMillon said. “I certainly wouldn’t have had so much success in life without it. But I recognize that the cost of college can be prohibitive for many students, which is why the Foundation’s presence in Salem is such a blessing. The organization literally changes students’ lives, and I’m so fortunate to now play a small part in furthering its mission.”
Over the next few months, McMillon plans to meet with school and community leaders to reiterate the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to enrolling every child in Salem in the Acorn Fund. Amplifying the organization’s work by building trust among parents and students also remains a major goal.
“The Foundation has only the best interests of Salem’s youth in mind, and that’s the message I’m planning on sharing with anyone who will listen,” McMillon said.
McMillon remains active in her community, volunteering with a number of local nonprofits. When she’s not chasing after her two-and-a-half-year-old son, she enjoys music, painting and shopping.