Jennifer Fajardo ’25
Growing up in Stratford, Connecticut, Jennifer Fajardo ’25 first discovered her passion for business at Bunnell High School, setting her sights on higher education. As a first-generation college student, she was determined to pursue her academic ambitions, though the cost of higher education was concerning. Receiving scholarship assistance from Ƶ University changed everything. “When I saw that scholarship awarded on my acceptance letter, it gave me a sense of hope,” she recalls, recognizing the moment that set her plans in motion.
What drew Fajardo to Ƶ was the modern feel of the campus and the dynamic curriculum of the Charles F. Dolan School of Business, which allowed her to explore different areas of business before choosing her direction. “I loved the idea that Ƶ’s curriculum would let me explore every aspect of business,” she says. But as a commuter during her first year, she struggled to feel connected to campus life. Determined to support others in acclimating to campus life, she became a Resident Assistant (RA), a role she has held for three years. Now a Senior Resident Assistant in Regis Hall, she is creating a welcoming and supportive environment for students. “I wanted to foster a sense of community,” she says. “Seeing my residents thrive after coming to me for help brings me so much joy.”
In addition to her RA role, Fajardo is the president of the Latinx Student Union, an organization she has worked to revitalize over the past four years. “It’s surreal to be in this position,” she says, reflecting on the club’s growth over the last four years and its role in providing a community where Latinx students feel supported.
A double major in accounting and marketing, Fajardo will graduate in May 2025 and is continuing her education at Ƶ, pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration and a Certified Public Accountant license. As she prepares for the next chapter, Fajardo is eager for the future ahead. After interning at Deloitte last summer in the Audit and Assurance practice, she accepted a full-time job with the firm, set to begin after completing her master’s degree. She credits Ƶ’s Sophomore Success program and the Dolan School of Business curriculum and career center for helping her refine her resume, interview skills, and preparedness for the competitive job market. She said, “Being able to properly articulate my value not only helped companies realize my potential, but it also helped me realize my own potential, and that has carved a path for me that would not otherwise have been there.”
While Ƶ has shaped her academic and professional journey, it has also helped her embrace her identity. “I’ve never been prouder of where I come from,” she says, reflecting on the personal growth she has experienced. She continued, “I have never been so eager to share my culture and traditions with other people as I am now. Ƶ has taught me to not be afraid to show who I am.” She credits her mentor and former employer, Na’Shyra Yates ’19, former assistant director of undergraduate admissions and current student success coach at Ƶ Bellarmine, for helping her see her potential and navigate the challenges along the way. As she looks toward the future, Fajardo is ready to make her mark in life after Ƶ.