Meet Jermaine Gunnells

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jermaine Gunnells.

Hi Jermaine, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am a 33-year-old Higher Education professional originally from North Tulsa, Oklahoma. I am the eldest of six children from two families who have strong ties and family origins in my hometown. While growing up in North Tulsa I was able to gain a sense of pride, cultural competency, and strong family ties that gleans from generations of a strong black community rooted in the historic Greenwood District and Black Wall Street.

After graduating from Tulsa High School for Science and Technology, I earned a partial Academic and Band Scholarship, becoming a first-generation college student in my family. I attended the only Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the state of Oklahoma, Langston University. During undergrad, I joined Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., which alongside pursuing my degree, is where I realized I had an interest in college readiness, advising, and mentorship—having benefited from those areas as a first-generation student. After earning my Bachelor of Science degree in the Spring of 2010, I was blessed with the opportunity to spend my summer traveling abroad along the coast of West Africa. Touring countries such as The Gambia and Senegal exposed me to a different approach to life— This was a pivotal moment for me because it opened my eyes to how much I truly enjoyed working with young people.

I spent most of my young adulthood in Dallas, TX, working within the mortgage industry until I decided that I wanted to work towards identifying a career that would allow me to do professionally what I was passionate about–working with young adults and helping them pursue their goals. As a result, I headed back to Oklahoma to pursue my Masters of Business Administration degree in Project Management at Oklahoma Christian University and, upon completion, I made a career change into Higher Education specializing in advisement and program development for black and brown populations who are first-generation and low-income students.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Growing up in North Tulsa, came with community experiences that were fulfilling; however, growing up in a lower-income area also meant that there were limited resources and attention given to my neighborhood and the youth that resided there. Being first-generation meant that while I did receive a lot of love and support to pursue my dream, some access to resources and knowledge would need to be gained during and after my time in college. This meant understanding networking, building relationships, etc.—things I hadn’t quite been exposed or accustomed to.

It also took me a while to recognize that I was slighted introverted, which was uncomfortable in spaces where extroversion seemed a more widely acceptable personality trait in order to get ahead. There were times when I felt like I was behind my peers in identifying a major, career track, or other resources that would pour into my personal and professional development. This led me to try different careers, which created self-doubt. I eventually understood that everyone has their own journey and has experienced setbacks unique to them. We all have life experiences that shape the world we live in–this is when I got the courage to further my degree and make a career shift. With the support of my family and my wife, this journey has been fulfilling and I’m happy I didn’t let self-doubt or imposter syndrome stop me from succeeding in this space.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I currently serve as the Urban Male Initiative Academic Advisor and Coordinator for the Community College of Denver (CCD). I’ve served in this capacity for nearly three years. The Community College of Denver has over 11,750 students currently enrolled and as a part of my role, I work with underrepresented student populations, including students of color, first-generation, and low-income students. I am responsible for building and leading viable institutional programs and initiatives that directly impact and support our male student population.

While my desire to provide students with various opportunities within and outside higher education is always the goal, it’s equally important to identify viable resource development, relationship management, and partnerships that will provide long-term sustainability for these efforts. These are the objectives I work towards every day and the activities that I’m most proud of.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I am a craft beer enthusiast. I love everything craft beer- from a good hoppy IPA to a robust stout. I have a huge passion for the craft beer industry, and I would like to own my own taproom in the future.

Contact Info:

• Email: jermaine.gunnells@ccd.edu

   
Image Credits
Community College of Denver- Creative Services Department