Dominican scores top honor as Grambling State University Valedictorian

Shillingford is from Wesley

Jodeen Shereen Shillingford, from Wesley, was named the 2018 Valedictorian and top-ranking graduate at the Grambling State University graduation which took place earlier this month.

She graduated with a 3.92 GPA earning Bachelors in Accounting and Computer Information Systems.

Shillingford began her education at the Wesley Primary School where she was named Valedictorian. She went on to the North East Comprehensive School where she had also named Valedictorian in 2009 and was honored with outstanding performance awards for all seven of the subjects she undertook.

She continued on to the Dominica State College where she earned an Associate Degree in Business Administration and received an award for outstanding performance in 2012.

In 2015 she received a scholarship from the Government of Dominica to pursue her degree at the Grambling State University (GSU).

At GSU she was known across the campus as one of the university’s most involved students.

“Most people and professors know Jodeen for her work,” said Dr. Donald White, Dean of Grambling State’s College of Business. “Shillingford is one of those students who worked in the background but brought a lot of energy to the classroom and her involvement.”

During her time at Grambling State, Shillingford volunteered with a number of organizations both on and off campus.

The university said her volunteerism included outreach through the National Association of Black Accountants; Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program; Louisiana CPA (LCPA) Student Chapter, Beta Gamma Sigma; Sigma Alpha Pi; and the International Students Organization.

Apart from her GSU honors, Shillingford has a long long list of accomplishments from organizations across the US including:

-Who’s Who Among Students in Colleges and Universities
-President’s List each semester since enrolling at GSU
-College of Business Academic Scholar (2016 -2017)
-LCPA Educational Foundation Scholar (2017-2018)
-National Association of Black Accountants Regional Scholar (2016-2017)
-National Association of Black Accountants National Scholar (2017)
-North-East LCPA Scholar (2016-2017)
-GSU Radiothon Scholar (2016)
-Tom Joyner Scholar (2016)
-Workforce and Innovation for a Stronger Economy (WISE) Scholar (2017)
-College of Business Student for Professional Development, (2015)
-GSU’s High Ability Program (2016-2017)

Shillingford plans to earn a master’s degree in Accountancy and Finance.

When she was growing up in Wesley her interest lay primarily in her family, education, church [Seventh Day Adventist, Wesley], her few but close friends and also in acquiring new skills including sewing and culinary.

Her mother, Renellie Jones (otherwise known as Claudette Pierre), did her best to assist her financially when she was able, nevertheless, Shillingford took advantage of various job opportunities and sponsorships on campus to aid herself in the completion of the degree and further fund her livelihood.

Her father is Michael Shillingford.

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13 Comments

  1. HHW
    May 30, 2018

    Thanks for your academic abilities we are all smiling in Dominica with joy and appreciation, we welcome the motivation and encouragement God blessed you.

  2. marie-claire R Skerrit
    May 30, 2018

    Good Job Young lady. I Hope the PM and his administration has a good job waiting for you.

    DNO public service announcement. I’ve been seeing these post of students who graduated and i just want to know whats the process of publication etc. Do they send you the information etc, and if so are all the submissions you received posted to the site. I await your response. Thanks

    ADMIN: Our articles may come from various sources. You may submit articles or information you would like published to [email protected] we would be happy to correspond with you there.

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      May 30, 2018

      “I Hope the PM and his administration has a good job waiting for you. ”

      Here we go again!

      The dependency syndrome has captivated the mind of most Dominicans to an extent that most of us believe as soon as one achieve something significant in the field of education; it becomes mandatory that the government provide them with a job!

      That sort of mentality is also an obstacle in the way of developmental the country. Governments are not obligated to find or give a job to every person who wants one. People with academics should use their academics to create employment for themselves, and in the process creating job opportunities for others.

      That’s one of the pathways to creating industries, and industrializing the country. Such are the people who should start the cycle of industrialization of Dominica: waiting on foreigners may take a long time. Nevertheless, when the foreign investors see the local efforts; they may become interested in investing into the country also…

      • marie-claire R Skerrit
        May 31, 2018

        WhOOOOOSSS.. Madammm Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque invics and mind me at the same time puss. And there i thought you were my friend.

        Any ways Darlene if you do your research dear Countries like Trinidad etc have mandatory requirements that if the Government funds your educational studies such as university..JD..Medical the list goes on that they are required to return home where they will work in that field of study under the Government to for the better good of that investment etc. So no one is under the mindset of the dependency syndrome. I think that there a lot of educated Dominicans, where by after there studies and if the positions are in place can turn this country around. SO please tread lightly with me when you miss interpret my comments love. Thanks i was just reporting so if you want to fight we can go in a ring and play ring games like the good old days ok Love. We still cool

    • marie-claire R Skerrit
      May 31, 2018

      Thanks DNO appreciate you quick response on the matter. Love you

  3. May 30, 2018

    Congratulations miss . Job well done.

  4. Brenda
    May 30, 2018

    Congrats. All the best

  5. A True Dominican
    May 29, 2018

    CONGRATULATIONS!!! Miss Shillingford on your outstanding achievement.Well Done .You have made us proud!!!May the good Lord continue to bless you with wisdom and good health.

  6. Unknown
    May 29, 2018

    Congrats, the sky is the limit

  7. d-a born
    May 29, 2018

    Congrats!!

    No surprise. Island students have been taking top honors they moment they started graduating from Grambling.

  8. ???????????
    May 29, 2018

    Congratulations Miss Shillingford. Way to Go. Put God first in all you do.

  9. Andy
    May 29, 2018

    Congratulations young lady!! Very well done!!

  10. Sovereign
    May 29, 2018

    Congrats, my girl!

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