Navigate College Prep with Dr. Jennifer Thompkins
Last month we discussed the challenges college prep, especially for those with learning disabilities. You may recall that the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, guarantees a free and appropriate education to students in high school. However, there is no legal requirement for post-secondary schools to provide a free and customized education style for students with disabilities. Instead, the Americans With Disabilities Act and another federal regulation simply guarantee equal access and ban discriminatory practices.
This month we want to introduce you to a local resource to assist your graduating high school senior.
TriZen, LLC. is a Philadelphia based DBE Certified Business Consulting and Leadership Development Company, comprised of a team of top-tier professionals who offer a unique combination of management consulting and human capital development experience.
Among its many accomplishments, TriZen has developed and facilitated youth leadership programs for over 1,500 students.
Dr. Jennifer Thompkins is an essential MileStone Academy supporter who has over 10 years in youth development experience. She currently serves as the Director of Programs at TriZen. Prior to becoming Director of Programs, she served as Assistant Director of Youth Programs for TriZen, LLC.
Dr. Thompkins helps students and their families navigate the college process through creating individual plans based on a student’s academics and extracurricular activities. In short, she creates the best post-secondary options for a student based on their profile .
20 Questions with Dr. Jennifer Thompkins
We had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Thompkins with 20 fun, yet informative questions. We hope you enjoy getting to know Dr. Thompkins as much as we did!
1. MS: Who is your hero?
Dr. Thompkins: Coretta Scott King
2. MS: If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
Dr. Thompkins: I would live in Geneva, Switzerland. Absolutely gorgeous city and country!
3. MS: What is your biggest fear?
Dr. Thompkins: Being mediocre. I was born to stand out.
4. MS: What is your favorite family vacation?
Dr. Thompkins: Trips down South (Durham, NC to be specific). It started when I was a child and I still love a great road trip!
5. MS: What would you change about yourself if you could?
Dr. Thompkins: I wish I had longer arms. ?
6. MS: What really makes you angry?
Dr. Thompkins: Injustice.
7. MS: What motivates you to work hard?
Dr. Thompkins: The next generation. The children are our future!
8. MS: What is your favorite thing about your career?
Dr. Thompkins: The opportunity to impact students and families every day!
9. MS: What is your biggest complaint about your job?
Dr. Thompkins: They don’t supply breakfast every morning ?
10. MS: What is your proudest accomplishment?
Dr. Thompkins: Becoming a member of the first and finest Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated! Skeeeeeeee-weeeeee! ?
11. MS: What is your favorite book to read?
Dr. Thompkins: Warriors Don’t Cry. This book made me fall in love with reading and learning!
12. MS: What makes you laugh the most?
Dr. Thompkins: Hearing old stories from my aunts and uncles about how “times used to be!”
13. MS: What was the last movie you went to? What did you think?
Dr. Thompkins: I went to see “Just Mercy” and it is a cinematic treasure as it reminds us of the work that still needs to be done!
14. MS: What did you want to be when you were small?
Dr. Thompkins: A doctor.
15. MS: What does your child want to be when he/she grows up?
Dr. Thompkins: Not applicable.
16. MS: If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
Dr. Thompkins: I would choose to binge watch movies or tv shows. Only one could hope!
17. MS: What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
Dr. Thompkins: My favorite sport is college football. I love to play squash!
18. MS: Would you rather ride a bike, ride a horse, or drive a car?
Dr. Thompkins: Drive a Car! ?
19. MS: What would you sing at Karaoke night?
Dr. Thompkins: “Let’s Hear it for the Boy” by Denise Williams
20. MS: What two radio stations do you listen to in the car the most?
Dr. Thompkins: NPR and WDAS.
More About Dr. Jennifer Thompkins
Dr. Jennifer Thompkins graduated cum laude with departmental honors from Ursinus College in 2009; earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in History with a concentration in Africana Studies. After graduating Ursinus, Dr. Thompkins matriculated to Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she earned a Master of Theological Studies degree in African American Religion and Religion of the Americas in 2011.
Do you or someone you know need college admissions coaching? Contact Dr. Jennifer Thompkins to schedule a consult at (484) 686-5525 or email JIT@mail.harvard.edu.
Please complete the form below to begin MileStone Academy’s enrollment process for your student in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. A member of our team will connect with you as soon as possible to discuss next steps.
