By Ava Steffens
Scholarship recipient T’Andrea Jones, a senior from Ford Heights, Illinois, is majoring in communication studies with a minor in Africana studies at Southern Illinois University. As a first-generation college student, Jones and her family were both enthusiastic about her starting her Saluki journey.
“At first I thought about choosing a historically Black college or university, but I saw a lot of people who were my skin color thriving at SIU,” she said. “I didn’t know about all of the resources SIU had for people like me.”
When she first arrived at SIU, Jones planned to pursue criminology but later changed her major. She credits her academic advisor with guiding her toward communication studies and says program instructors and faculty members motivated her.
“It involved talking and interacting with your classmates, and I instantly fell in love with it,” she said. “There are classes like persuasion, broadcasting, interpersonal communication and small group communication, and they’re all so much fun.”
Among all the courses, content creation stood out as Jones’ favorite. The class allowed her to explore media communication through digital formats such as podcasts and social media. She credits professors Dustin Greenwalt, Jonathan Gray and Benjamin Bricker for their guidance and encouragement.
While enrolled in communications courses, Jones faced both personal and financial challenges. As a first‑generation college student, she described having a “lack of a blueprint” when navigating life away from her family. With support from campus resources like Counseling and Psychological Services and encouragement from her professors, she applied for scholarships that allowed her to remain enrolled. Receiving those scholarships marked a turning point, improving both her mindset and overall college experience.
“When I got it, I was super ecstatic. It was when I first started to really feel at home at SIU, especially with my major,” she said. “It makes me feel so appreciative, like I was wanted at SIU. I will be forever and graciously honored.”
In addition, Jones and her family were the Saluki Family of the Year finalists. The award recognizes families of SIU students based on commitment to the university or family legacy.
“That’s a top-tier experience, because I love being a Saluki,” she said. “My mom was so happy, especially when she got all the SIU gear. I wear my maroon and white all the time.”
After graduation, Jones plans to become a peer mentor and encourage young people from her community to pursue college. She hopes to inspire others to consider careers in communication‑related fields.
“You can do so much with it, including going into public relations,” she said.
Before her senior year, Jones said she was a few thousand dollars behind on her bursar bill, which prevented her from moving into on-campus housing. She said alumni support inspires her, especially as someone who comes from a small neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago.
“It just motivated me to go even harder and encourage freshmen to pursue the field,” she said.
Jones is the recipient of the Saluki Belonging Scholarship, the Robert Carr Speech Communication Scholarship and the College of Liberal Arts Undergraduate Scholarship. Since her mother pays for schooling on her own, she said she is especially thankful for the support.
“It took a big load off my mom’s shoulders, since she was trying to figure out a way to pay, and it looked like I would have to take a semester off,” she said.
Jones is optimistic about her future. She has received job offers in her field from companies including Warner Bros. and Tyler Perry Studios. She plans to pursue a master’s degree and eventually a doctorate while giving back to SIU.
“SIU was the perfect place for anybody who’s a first-generation student,” she said. “The resources that were available to help me are what got me here, and for that I will always be grateful.”
The College of Liberal Arts Undergraduate Scholarship is funded by a pool of multiple donors. Initiatives like this contribute to SIU’s distinction as one of only 21 universities nationwide classified as both a Research 1 institution and an Opportunity University,reflecting its commitment to discovery, access and student opportunity.
For those inspired by T’Andrea Jones’ story, supporting scholarships through the SIU Foundation is a meaningful way to invest in future Salukis. Your contribution opens pathways and helps create life‑changing opportunities. To give, visit siuf.org/give.
“We expect to win the league this next year,” Nagy said. “The culture is there, our staff is there, and we’re building something special.”
Matt Collinsworth joined the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute as associate director in February 2025. He is a 1993 graduate of Georgetown College and earned a Master of Fine Arts from Ohio State University in 1996. Before coming to SIU, Collinsworth served as executive director of Carbondale Main Street for two years. He previously led three museums: the Kentucky Folk Art Center at Morehead State University, the National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota and the National Quilt Museum in Paducah. He also served as senior director of cultural outreach at Morehead State, interim director of the Lexington Art League and executive director of the Morehead Downtown Association.
Cole Steward joined Saluki Athletics as assistant director of development on April 1, 2026, where he works to enhance the donor experience through relationship-building and long-term support of Saluki Athletics. A native of Salem, Illinois, Steward is a Southern Illinois University graduate and former Saluki Football student-athlete who played under head coach Nick Hill from 2017 to 2021. Before returning to SIU, he spent four years at Western Kentucky University as athletic advising coordinator, supporting student-athletes through academic planning, eligibility oversight, and leadership and character development. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sport administration and a Master of Education in kinesiology with an emphasis in sport studies from SIU.
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