Jessica Acero
Give a brief bio about yourself/your background/your history.
I immigrated from Colombia when I was ten years old. My mom encouraged my sisters and me to pursue different opportunities and always encouraged me to stay true to my beliefs. I am currently on a hiatus from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but I have practiced martial arts since age 15, which helped me appreciate what community is and what it does for others. I am a Colombian woman who immigrated to Canada and is the second in my family to pursue higher education. In my free time, I strive to volunteer for the causes I believe in. I volunteer as an Instagram information content creator to raise awareness of the environmental impacts of consumerism, specifically in fashion. At Brandon University, I found a space to volunteer as a Peer Wellness Educator and a Student Trainer with the BU Bobcats. These opportunities have allowed me to meet like-minded people and great mentors.
What education have you taken?
I am currently pursuing my Bachelor of Science, with a major in Psychology and a minor in Mathematics.
How did you become interested in your field/area of study?
I am interested in the therapy area of psychology. I am interested in what mental health means to the Latinx diaspora and to the diaspora who are part of other collective cultures. As well, I am interested in how immigration has affected different areas of their mental health.
What accomplishments are you most proud of?
The nomination for the International Women’s Day award is an accomplishment that I am currently proud of. In a more personal accomplishment being able to volunteer in areas I am interested in, as I am currently doing, makes me very proud, as my social anxiety has previously stopped me from doing so.
Where do you see yourself in the future? What do you hope to undertake or accomplish once you leave BU?
Career-wise, I am not sure I feel like there are many possibilities, and I am not set on one. I know for sure I will pursue a career in the healthcare field. I also hope to give back and support the immigrant communities wherever I live and however I can.
What is your philosophy in life?
“You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.” ― Angela Davis
I try to live by this quote as I believe that the individual actions of multiple people add up to social changes. I try to do this by staying informed and critically thinking of issues and events occurring around me.
In one sentence, how will you #EmbraceEquity?
I will #EmbraceEquity by educating myself and listening to the voices of members of marginalized groups.
Nominator’s Comments:
I am honoured to nominate Jessica Acero for the Brandon University #EmbraceEquity International Women’s Day Student Leadership award. Jessica is a remarkable young woman and contributes greatly to Brandon University, its culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion, most notably with her peer student population. Her story is a great one with only more greatness to come!
Jessica is a first-generation immigrant who came to Canada, along with her mother and two sisters, without knowing a single word of English. From these humble beginnings and the experiences associated with hard work, Jessica has demonstrated compassion and willingness to ‘step-up’ and help others who are in need. Jessica was recently nominated as the BUSU Collective Chair for Gender Empowerment and completed her first season as a Student Trainer for the Brandon Bobcats Men’s Basketball team. Other initiatives Jessica does at Brandon University, specifically for her fellow students, is work as a peer wellness mentor in Student Services. Here, she provides support for students struggling with mental health. Jessica also utilizes her strong academic skills as a student TA for Statistics. Finally, Jessica addressed the BU “Women, Life and Freedom” assembly on November 16th 2022, where she passionately discussed the current social revolution and women’s rights in Iran.
Jessica is the epitome of someone deserving of this recognition. Jessica has gone above and beyond what is expected, she certainly has embraced equity, and I cannot wait to see what her future holds after her Brandon University education journey!