My struggles became my superpowers
Strategies from Dominique Jordan Turner, Grad ’06, president and CEO of Chicago Scholars and a 2018 Obama Fellow
Walking across the stage as a first-generation high school and college graduate remain among her most memorable accomplishments.
Her most important may be happening now — guiding a new generation of high school students to college and beyond with the Chicago Scholars Program and working as an Obama Fellow.
She believes every person can leverage their superpowers if they have at least one person who supports their journey.
In this series, experts share how they play the game of life. Tell us about an expert we should interview at magazine.marquette.edu/share. Interview by Leah Harris
What is the Chicago Scholars program?
We are a college access and leadership development organization. We spend a lot of time making sure students go to the schools that fit their academic needs as well as their interests.
What inspired you?
I worked in corporate America and after about four years, I had what I call my quarter-life crisis. I quit and joined the Peace Corps. It was the best two years of my life.
What did you learn?
I learned I want to continue to serve others and create real impact in the world. I also had a love for business process and systems. I was searching for a way to blend those loves. I came back to the United States and the Trinity Fellows program presented itself.
The application deadline for the 2019–21 Trinity Fellows Program is January 15, 2019. See the Student Fact Sheet.
How did Trinity Fellows change you?
I was able to take classes like social justice and urban planning, and I served as the development associate at Journey House. I use that experience all the time — that blend of social and business was really birthed at Marquette.
What does it mean to be an Obama Fellow?
I could have never predicted that I’d be the CEO of a nonprofit or selected out of 20,000 applicants from 191 countries for a fellowship.
My dreams weren’t this big, so it blows my mind every day. My struggles became my superpowers, and that is what we teach our scholars: Use their experiences as strengths.
This article was originally published in Marquette Magazine
