By the time Jasmine Ferguson joined Education Pioneers (EP) as a 2021 Impact Fellow, she had already seen the power and the limits of change made at the ground level. She was ready to learn what it would take to influence the system as a whole.
Before EP, Jasmine built a strong foundation in Chicago’s schools and community organizations, leading partnership growth, managing programs, and coordinating projects that reached thousands of high school students. Those experiences gave her a deep understanding of the day-to-day realities facing educators and communities. Her Fellowship with Rocketship Public Schools expanded that view, giving her the chance to work across regions, see how educational challenges differ by geography, and observe how leaders adapt their approaches to meet local needs. “It pushed me to think more expansively about the work and gave me a broader perspective that I now use every day,” she reflected.
After her Fellowship, Jasmine got her MBA from The University of Chicago as a Neubauer Civic Scholar. She then joined The Bridgespan Group as a consultant, supporting strategic initiatives for mission-driven organizations. Now, she has returned to EP as Director of Local Impact, spearheading efforts to deepen the organization’s presence and influence in Chicago and Texas. In this role, she shapes strategies that foster community-driven change, drawing on both her lived experience as a first-generation college student from the South Side of Chicago and the systems-level perspective she honed during her Fellowship.
Where Her Journey Began
Jasmine’s commitment to education and social impact is deeply rooted in her upbringing. She grew up determined to build on the strong foundation her parents and grandparents gave her by seeking greater opportunity, broader exposure, and a wider sense of possibility for her future.
Her parents always emphasized that education was the pathway to a better life. While participating in the Collegiate Scholars Program at the University of Chicago, she met peers from across the city and saw firsthand how unequal access to quality education can be when systems remain unchanged. “It made me angry, but also deeply motivated,” she shared. “I believed then, and still do, that every young person deserves access to opportunity, regardless of their zip code.”
Lessons for Future Change Makers
Jasmine’s own journey has shaped how she encourages others to think about their careers. To current Fellows or new Alumni, her guidance is practical: reflect on what you want to learn, the impact you hope to make, and who you want to serve. Seek a wide range of perspectives, from teachers and principals to nonprofit executives and community organizers, and be willing to step outside your comfort zone.
She also urges new leaders to recognize how education is connected to other systems such as housing, food access, and family well-being. “Your impact doesn’t have to be limited to traditional education roles,” she noted. “The more holistically you understand these systems, the more effectively you can find your place and make a difference.”
That openness to exploration is something Jasmine has modeled throughout her own journey. Recently, she found herself inspired by Finding My Voice by Valerie Jarrett, whose career took unexpected turns toward politics and ultimately to a role advising President Obama.
Jarrett’s message – that you do not need to have everything figured out to make a powerful impact – echoes Jasmine’s own path from the South Side of Chicago to shaping regional strategies for EP. “Sometimes,” she shared, “simply following your passion and leaning into your strengths can lead you to places you never imagined.”
About our Alumni Network
After completing their Fellowship, EP leaders join our vibrant Alumni network made up of more than 4,700 connected change makers at every level of educational leadership. Learn more about the impact of our Alumni network here.