Student Spotlight - Jessie Emmons

After earning her associate degree at Everett Community College—where she got her start through Running Start in high school—Jessie Emmons is headed to Montana State University this fall to pursue a degree in environmental science. A former Trojan basketball player and current youth soccer coach, she says her time at EvCC gave her unforgettable experiences, lifelong friendships, and personal growth. Inspired by a love of the outdoors and animals, she hopes to one day live on land in Montana surrounded by wildlife. Her advice for new students: “You don’t have to have it all figured out—just start.”

Tell me a little bit about yourself, including the degree or certificate you’re working toward.

A little about me: I started taking classes at EVCC in high school and have since earned my general associate’s degree. Now, I’m working toward getting my degree in Environmental Science at Montana State University starting next fall. I played basketball at EVCC and met some amazing people who I now get to call friends.

I’m currently a soccer coach and love working with kids—it’s one of the most rewarding parts of my week. I’m also a big animal lover. In the future, I hope to live on a large piece of land in Montana, surrounded by animals and wildlife.

I love making new friends, meeting new people, and listening to and learning from their experiences.

Why did you choose EvCC?

I chose EVCC in my junior year of high school when I decided to do Running Start, and I’ve continued ever since. The campus is beautiful—I love all the greenery and how walkable it is. The environment and the people at EVCC have always been great, so I felt it was a good choice to stay and complete my associate’s degree there.

What interested you about your area of study? 

I love anything to do with the outdoors and animals, so I thought Environmental Science would be the perfect field of study. I feel like it's especially important today, and I want to help our ecosystem grow and become stronger. I just want to contribute in any way I can.

Describe the best experience you've had at EvCC.

The best experience I had at EVCC would have to be this past fall and winter quarter. I had the opportunity to play basketball with some of my best friends and compete at a higher level—something more than I could have ever asked for. I also got to meet amazing new people and learn important lessons that have helped me grow into a better person today.

What do you plan to do next? 

After graduating in the spring, I’m planning to move to Montana in August, where I’ll attend Montana State University and begin my Environmental Science degree.

What advice do you have for new students? 

Some advice I’d give is to learn how you like to study and learn—figuring that out is one of the most important things. You have to know yourself and how you work best. Also you don’t have to know exactly what you want to do right away. Just start, and along the way, you’ll figure out what you truly enjoy and want to pursue.