As part of Women’s History Month, the SIU Foundation is proud to spotlight alumna Jennifer Franklin, a dedicated advocate for education and a champion for transfer students. From her beginnings in East St. Louis to her current home in Chicago, Franklin’s journey reflects the transformative power of higher education and the impact of giving back.
She transferred to Southern Illinois University Carbondale after two years at a community college, seamlessly transitioning to university life.
“Everyone was so welcoming, and I knew that SIU was the right place for me,” Franklin said.
At SIU, she initially pursued a degree in information systems technologies, envisioning a future in database management. However, a single class altered the course of her career.
“The African American Experience in a Pluralistic Society class changed my life,” she said. By the end of the semester, she added a minor in Black American Studies (now Africana Studies) and set her sights on law school.
“I literally would not be a lawyer had I not taken that class,” she said.
Her passion for advocacy and justice was ignited at SIU, setting the foundation for a successful legal career.
A Global Perspective
One of Franklin’s most cherished memories at SIU was her study abroad experience in Ghana during the summer of 2004. Having just completed her bachelor’s degree, she took the opportunity to finalize her minor before beginning law school that fall.
A particularly memorable moment occurred while she was in Accra, Ghana, watching Barack Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention on television.
“I knew at the time that he would definitely be the next senator for Illinois, but I had no idea that I was watching the future first Black President of the United States while I was on the African continent. Even after all these years, it is still surreal when I think about it.”
Giving Back to SIU
For Franklin, giving back to SIU is more than a gesture—it’s a responsibility.
“SIU gave so much to me as a student. I am still benefiting from lessons I learned as a young woman on that campus,” she said. “Being an SIU alum is part of my identity, so giving back feels like a natural part of my existence.”
Her commitment to supporting students led her to establish the Franklin Perseverance Fund, which provides scholarships to transfer students in financial need, with a special focus on African American women.
Franklin believes strongly in the power of women investing in SIU’s future.
“The doors that we walk through today were opened by the women before us, and it is our duty to keep them open for future generations,” she said. “The biggest door is access to education. The impact of women being able to attain a college degree cannot be understated.”
She encourages women who have benefited from higher education to pay it forward, ensuring that future generations have the same opportunities to succeed.
Reflecting on her college years, Franklin shares one piece of advice she would give to her younger self: Do not let your fears hold you back. Feel your fears, but do not live in them. Courage is not the absence of fear; it is acting in spite of it.
With a career shaped by resilience, purpose, and generosity, Franklin exemplifies the spirit of SIU alumni making a difference. Her story serves as an inspiration to current and future Salukis, proving that lifting others while you climb is the true mark of success.