When she first came to HSU, she intended on graduating with an engineer degree. After careful planning and deliberation with Indian Teacher & Education Personnel Program (ITEPP) as well as Jacquelyn Bolman, director of the Indian Natural Resource, Science and Engineering Program (INRSEP) and Christopher Aberson, professor of Pyschology, Clayburn is now a psychology major on her way to success.
Clayburn has been awarded various scholarships throughout her term at HSU. This year and last year, she was awarded the annual Morongo Band of Mission Indians Rodney T. Mathews Jr. Memorial Scholarship, which granted her $10,000.
The most competitive scholarship Clayburn was awarded is the Morris K. Udall Scholarship. Jessica was one of three individuals nominated by Bolman and one of 80 students awarded nationwide for the $5,000 award.
Clayburn had applied for handfuls of scholarships before being awarded any. “ITEPP, Jacquelyn and others on campus gave me the confidence I needed to apply for scholarships,” she said. “Phil and Marlette, of ITEPP, have been instrumental in helping me with my choices and developing myself professionally.”
Marlette Grant-Jackson and Phil Zastrow of ITEPP have watched and guided Clayburn through her academics. “It’s really amazing to see her, Jessica, awarded for all her hard work,” Jackson said.
“Jessica deserves these prestigious scholarships,” Zastrow said. “During the good times she lights the place up, with a steady glow that I believe inspires others. When at times the situation was challenging for her, she sought help to solve her problems.”
Clayburn is originally from Klamath and chose HSU because of its location. “HSU is really close to home,” Clayburn said. “I feel like I can further my education while staying rooted to my community.”
When she’s not knee-deep in textbooks, Clayburn spends a good deal of her time with her family and volunteering within her community. “I care a lot about the Yurok community and the issues going on,” she said. Clayburn believes that her passion for community involvement was instilled from her parents and being raised the, “Yurok way.”
“I want to do anything that helps my community make changes that need to occur,” she said. “I want to give future generations the opportunities I have and have had.”
Upon graduating, Clayburn plans to continue her schooling and obtain a professional degree in either Business Administrations or School of Psychology. Clayburn said, “I feel either of these degrees will serve my community as well as my tribe.”