When I think about legacy, I don’t think about recognition, wealth, or having my name on a building. I think about the kind that lives on in people’s lives long after I’m gone. I want my legacy to be one of purpose, healing, and empowerment. Whether it’s in a boardroom, a community space, or a salon chair, my goal is to use every platform I have to uplift others and leave the world better than I found it. One of my long-term dreams is to open my beauty salon. But I don’t want it to be just any salon, I want to create a space where Black women feel seen, celebrated, and safe. A place where beauty meets confidence, and where the conversations that happen while getting your hair done feel like therapy, sisterhood, and encouragement. Too often, Black women are told to be strong without being given the space to be soft. My salon will be more than a business, it will be a healing space, a networking hub, and a launchpad for confidence and community. Alongside my dream of owning a business, I also plan to work in human resources or management consulting. These fields give me the chance to influence how companies treat their people, from hiring practices to employee wellbeing to inclusion and belonging. I want to help businesses not only perform better, but also care better. HR might not always seem like a flashy career, but I believe it holds the power to shape workplace culture, uplift marginalized voices, and create real, lasting change from within. Creating a legacy also means shining your light in the present, and I try to do that every day. I shine my light through leadership, service, and authenticity. I’m proud to be part of organizations like Alpha Kappa Psi, the Big Sister Little Sister Mentoring Program, and the Knight Association of Project Management. These groups have given me opportunities to grow, lead, and give back, whether through mentoring younger students or supporting campus initiatives. I also shine my light in quiet ways, volunteering at food drives, picking up trash in my community, or simply encouraging a friend when they’re struggling. My journey hasn’t been perfect. Like many, I’ve faced personal challenges, including growing up in a household affected by substance abuse and having to shift my academic path to protect my mental health. But instead of letting those moments define me, I’ve let them refine me. They've taught me resilience, compassion, and the importance of building a life that makes room for both success and self-care. At the end of the day, I want people to remember me as someone who used her talents and pain alike to pour into others. My legacy will live not just in the business I build, but in the people I help along the way, the lives I touch by simply choosing to lead with purpose, passion, and light.

My name is Jazlyn Hover, and I am a business student who believes that true leadership starts with service and that every dream has a greater purpose. I am passionate about building a future where people, especially those from underserved communities, feel seen, valued, and empowered to succeed. I plan to make a lasting impact not only through my career but through the way I show up for others every day. I’ve always had an interest in understanding what motivates them, how they connect, and how they thrive. That interest naturally drew me to human resources and management consulting. To me, these fields are about more than just business strategy or organizational goals; they’re about people. They provide an opportunity to build inclusive workplaces, support employee wellbeing, and ensure that diverse voices are heard and respected. As a young Black woman, I understand how important representation and support systems are in professional spaces, and I want to be a leader who helps create that kind of environment for others. Outside of academics, I’ve invested time in both leadership and community service. I’m proud to be involved in organizations such as Alpha Kappa Psi, Big Sister Little Sister Mentoring Program, and the Knight Association of Project Management. These experiences have sharpened my communication skills, strengthened my teamwork abilities, and taught me how to lead with empathy and confidence. I’ve also given back to my community through food drives, neighborhood clean-ups, and mentoring programs, all of which have grounded me in the importance of small acts that lead to big change. My journey hasn’t been without challenges. I come from a family impacted by substance abuse, and I’ve experienced the emotional weight that comes with it. That reality shaped me early on, showing me the importance of mental health, resilience, and support systems. It also taught me that sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is simply keep going and help others do the same. I carry that lesson into everything I do, and I plan to use my story to uplift others facing similar struggles. In the long term, I envision myself working in a role where I can influence company culture, advocate for equity, and develop programs that support young professionals, especially African American women navigating the business world. I also hope to one day open my own beauty salon, not just as a business venture but as a space of community, healing, and empowerment for Black women. Ultimately, I want to be a bridge: connecting people to opportunities, companies to better practices, and communities to resources they need to grow. I know that one person can’t change the world alone, but I believe in starting with what I can do, where I am, with what I have. And right now, that means using my education, experience, and passion to create a positive, lasting impact wherever I go.

My name is Jazlyn Hover, and I’m a business student with big dreams, a deep sense of purpose, and a heart for service. I am passionate about leadership, community, and creating change, especially for those who have historically been left out of the conversation. I believe that the best leaders are the ones who lift others as they climb, and that’s exactly what I intend to do with my education and career. I’ve always been a highly motivated student, but my drive comes from something deeper than grades or ambition. I come from a background shaped by both challenges and strong role models. One of the most difficult experiences I’ve faced was growing up with a father who struggled with substance abuse. That reality taught me the importance of emotional strength, stability, and compassion. It also taught me that no matter what you face, you can choose to grow from it, not just for yourself, but for others. That’s why I’ve poured myself into opportunities that align with service and leadership. I’ve been an active member of organizations like Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, the Big Sister Little Sister Mentoring Program, and the Knight Association of Project Management. I’ve also volunteered for food drives for the homeless and local trash cleanups. These experiences have helped me grow into a well-rounded leader, one who cares not only about success but about leaving things better than I found them. This scholarship would allow me to continue focusing on my education while remaining engaged in the community. Financial stress can be a major barrier for students like me who are trying to balance academic excellence, extracurricular involvement, and personal responsibilities. With your support, I’ll be able to dedicate more energy to building the skills I need to make a meaningful impact in the workforce and beyond. Long-term, I hope to work in human resources or management consulting, helping organizations create inclusive, supportive environments where employees, especially women and people of color, feel seen and valued. I also dream of one day opening my own salon: not just as a business, but as a space of empowerment and self-love for Black women. Every aspect of my career vision comes back to one thing: uplifting others. I should be selected for this scholarship because I don’t take this opportunity for granted. I’ve worked hard to get here, and I plan to use everything I learn to give back. Whether I’m mentoring younger students, improving workplace culture, or creating opportunities for underserved communities, I will always lead with intention and integrity. This is more than just a degree for me. It’s the foundation for the change I want to create in the world. And with your investment, I’ll be one step closer to making that vision a reality, not just for myself, but for everyone I hope to uplift along the way.

My name is Jazlyn Hover, and I am a resilient, service-driven student pursuing a degree in business with dreams of building a career in management consulting or human resources, and maybe one day opening my hair salon. I’m a proud member of organizations like Alpha Kappa Psi, the Black Student Leadership Summit, and the Knight Association of Project Management, where I’ve developed professional skills, leadership experience, and a strong sense of purpose. But behind every accomplishment is a story of determination, growth, and learning how to give myself grace when I need it most. Being part of the business program at the University of Central Florida has challenged me in ways I never expected. Like many students, I started with high hopes and a clear vision of the major I wanted to pursue. However, as time went on, the pressure and intensity of the program began to take a toll on my mental health. I found myself overwhelmed, questioning my worth, and unsure if I could keep up. It was one of the first times I truly felt emotionally weak, not because I lacked ability, but because I was pushing myself beyond a sustainable limit just to prove I could "tough it out." Making the decision to switch to a more general business major was not easy. At first, it felt like failure. But with time, I realized it was an act of self-respect. I learned that success isn’t about suffering in silence; it’s about adapting, protecting your peace, and finding paths that still lead to your goals, even if they look different from what you expected. That decision helped me regain my confidence and reminded me that my mental health matters just as much as my academic achievements. This scholarship would make a meaningful difference in my journey. As a student balancing classes, leadership roles, and volunteer work, like helping with food drives and local clean-ups, I am doing everything I can to build a strong foundation for my future. Financial support would ease the burden of tuition and allow me to focus more on gaining experience and giving back to my community. In the long term, I hope to join the workforce in management consulting or human resources, where I can help companies build inclusive, people-first cultures. I’m passionate about making the workplace a space where everyone feels seen, respected, and empowered. Eventually, I also dream of opening my own hair salon not just as a business, but as a safe, welcoming space for Black women to feel beautiful, supported, and understood. My story isn’t perfect, but it’s real. I’ve faced doubt, burnout, and emotional challenges, but I’ve also learned how to bounce back with clarity and strength. I’m still becoming the woman I want to be, and with the support of this scholarship, I’ll be one step closer to making my dreams a reality, not just for me, but for the people and communities I hope to serve.

I’ve always believed that dreams aren’t just personal goals; they’re promises to the future. The dreams I hold close aren’t just about my success; they’re about the people I hope to serve, the change I want to make, and the legacy I want to leave behind. I am worth the dreams I aspire to achieve because I pursue them not for recognition, but for responsibility. Growing up, I saw firsthand how opportunity can be unevenly distributed, how people with the talent, work ethic, and potential still get overlooked because of systems that were never built with them in mind. That awareness shaped me. It made me passionate about equity, about fairness, and about creating spaces where every voice, especially Black voices, is heard, respected, and elevated. That’s why I chose to pursue a career in Human Resources: not just to sit at the table, but to help build a table where everyone belongs. Along the way, I’ve grounded myself in service and leadership. Through organizations like Big Sister Little Sister Mentoring Program, Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, and the Knight Association of Project Management, I’ve grown not just professionally, but personally. I’ve learned how to lead with integrity, collaborate with empathy, and advocate with clarity. My volunteer work organizing food drives for the homeless, cleaning up neighborhoods, and supporting community outreach keeps me connected to the bigger picture. My dreams are not abstract. They are rooted in real people, real issues, and real work. What makes me worth these dreams isn’t perfection, it’s persistence. I’ve faced self-doubt, setbacks, and moments where the path forward wasn’t clear. But I never stopped moving. I’ve had to prove myself more times than I can count, often in spaces where people underestimated me before I even spoke. And yet, I continue to show up not just for myself, but for the ones who will come after me. I dream of becoming a leader in the business world who helps transform the way companies think about diversity, inclusion, and employee well-being. I want to mentor young Black professionals, create programs that elevate underrepresented voices, and challenge policies that keep progress stagnant. These dreams are big, yes, but they are worth it. And I am worth them, because I carry them with purpose. To me, being “worth” your dreams doesn’t mean you have all the answers—it means you’re willing to work, grow, and rise for something greater than yourself. I’ve already started doing that. I just need the support to go further. With every opportunity I receive, I promise to give back even more. Not only because I can, but because I must. Because when I dream, I don’t just see my future, I see a better future for all of us. And I know I’m worth it.

As I pursue my education in business and human resources, my purpose is deeply rooted in creating space, equity, and opportunity for Black people in the business world. Too often, the corporate landscape overlooks or undervalues the perspectives and potential of Black professionals. I see my education as a personal stepping stone and a tool for community impact, a way to challenge existing systems and help build a more just, inclusive professional environment. Human resources is uniquely positioned at the intersection of people and policy. It is where company culture is shaped, where hiring practices are determined, and where diversity can be either nurtured or ignored. Through my education, I am gaining the skills to lead these conversations with confidence and strategy. I plan to use my knowledge to advocate for fair hiring practices, inclusive development programs, and transparent promotion policies that level the playing field for Black professionals at every stage of their careers. Representation matters, but true inclusion goes beyond numbers. My goal is to create systems that help Black employees feel seen, heard, and valued, not just hired. With a strong foundation in HR principles and business ethics, I will champion employee resource groups, mental health initiatives, and mentorship pipelines that specifically support the growth of Black talent. I want to help dismantle the barriers that have kept so many of us from advancing in the workplace due to implicit bias, lack of access, or limited support. In addition to working within companies, I aspire to one day serve as a consultant or advisor to businesses seeking to transform their organizational culture. So many companies have good intentions, but lack the tools or lived experience to follow through on their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals. By combining my education with my lived identity and leadership experience, I can help bridge that gap, offering both strategic guidance and authentic insight that leads to lasting change. Ultimately, my education is not just for me. It’s for the young Black woman wondering if she belongs in the boardroom, for the Black man whose ideas go unheard in meetings, and for every Black professional who deserves to thrive, not just survive, in the business world. I am committed to using my skills, voice, and position to open doors that have too often been closed and to hold those doors open for others to walk through. This journey is personal, and it’s powerful. With every class I take and every lesson I learn, I move closer to my vision: a business world where Black excellence isn’t the exception, but the expectation.