Jaylin Strong

NLCP Class of 2018

Augustana College, BA

"For the past few years I've been working for Judges at the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse, and I am excited to share that I'm now pursuing my Master's in Counseling at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology! I hope to help advise young people I see in the courts––so they can find alternatives to the paths that bring them to the courthouse in the first place.”

Thinking back to his time at Augustana, Jaylin says future Pact Scholars need to learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable. "Embracing discomfort can be essential to helping you grow and tap into your full potential. My college experience wasn't easy at first. It took a bit for me to adjust to my environment, new-found independence, and all the responsibilities that came with it. Navigating the pressures, opportunities, and responsibilities that come with college life helped prepare me for post-grad life. It taught me resilience, how to advocate for myself, and so many other tools that continue to help shape my path today."