A Collegiate Fellow embodies community, service and inspires excellence. A Collegiate Fellow is a friendly resource to the residents of their hall and develops relationships. Gustavus’s Residential Life staff pride themselves on finding individuals that can lead and uphold the college’s core values. Collegiate Fellow Janet Jennings, Pre-Med Senior Psychology major, and Russian minor from Inglewood, California is one of these leaders.

“She upholds the core values of Gustavus. She is a light in other’s lives. She works very hard and has shown support to me and others.” — Herchran Singh

Co-President of Pan African Student Organization (PASO), Collegiate Fellow at Chapel View, and a member of International Culture Club are just a few of the extracurricular activites Janet involves herself in with the Gustavus community.

“Gustavus has taught me the ability to listen, and be empathetic,” Janet said. “I learned how to connect with others by being there for them, especially being a Collegiate Fellow, which is the most influential job I have had.”

Administrator Glenn Lloyd has known Jennings since she first stepped foot on campus.

“We had been connected through the Diversity Center, Alumni Association, and our shared interest in social justice,” Lloyd said. “Janet’s commitment to community and justice resonate with me. Observe her moving through the Campus Center and you will know what I mean.”

As her senior year has begun, Janet experiences mixed feelings about her upcoming graduation.

“I am happy to move forward but sad to leave the campus and leave all the amazing people here at Gustavus,” Janet said.

Janet has developed a number of memories through her travels across Europe and her years at Gustavus.

“I’ve had fun times choreographing with Gabe Grosshuesch and Herchran Singh late at night for African Night,” Janet describes. “A few times in Sohre I was going on rounds, talking with residents and/or having dance parties for a long time.  Then I realized I wasn’t done with my rounds.”

“Janet’s commitment to community and justice resonate with me. Observe her moving through the Campus Center and you will know what I mean.” — Glen Lloyd

Roommate and four-year best friend Herchran Singh describes Janet as “dedicated, warm, and serving.”

Meeting their first year at Gustavus, Janet and Singh kicked off their friendship right away.

“We grew closer throughout the years,” Singh said. “We are involved in similar extracurricular activities such as PASO, involvement in the Diversity Center, being members in the International Cultures Club, participating in the International Festival together, and we dance together in Africa Night.”

The two best friends live in Chapel View and enjoy listening to music, watching TV shows, giving each other backrubs, and debriefing about their busy days together.

“I don’t think I have ever met anyone as genuinely interested in making the campus a better place as Janet. I have seen her dedicate a lot of her energy for others, especially as a Collegiate Fellow. She really makes her relationships her priority, which is very valuable to the Gustavus community. She upholds the core values of Gustavus. She is a light in other’s lives. She works very hard and has shown support to me and others.” Singh said.

Janet Jennings invites all to visit Herchran Singh and her at College View, where homemade cookies will be provided to visitors.

As Janet prepares for her time at Gustavus to come to an end, she has some advice for the underclassmen:

“Don’t regret staying up late and going out of your way for others. It’s the little things that count because you remember all those memories you create. Take a leap of faith and do what feels right.”