In a remarkable achievement, 17-year-old Kelli Higgins has emerged as the valedictorian of Jackson High School, boasting a perfect 4.00 GPA. Her academic excellence and dedication earned her acceptance letters from four prestigious Ivy League universities in the United States: Harvard University, Yale University, Columbia University, and the University of Pennsylvania.
Kelli’s journey to academic success began early, culminating in her recent recognition as the best-graduating student of Jackson High School. Her dedication and hard work were rewarded when she received her first acceptance letter from Harvard University in December. This was followed by further good news on National Ivy Day, when she learned that she had also been accepted into Yale, Columbia, and the University of Pennsylvania.
The Ivy League, comprising eight private universities known for their rigorous academic standards and selective admissions, is a dream for many students. For Kelli, the path to choosing her future alma mater involved careful consideration of various factors. “It was quite the process of trying to figure out what exactly I wanted to look for in my college education,” she said.
Kelli paid special attention to the dorm-living situations and the culture of each school’s surrounding area. Her decision-making process was influenced by her previous experiences with these institutions. She attended summer learning programs at both Harvard and Yale and took online courses at Columbia. These experiences gave her a unique insight into the academic and social environments of each university.
A second visit to Harvard in mid-April proved to be the decisive factor in her choice. “I got to get exposed to all the opportunities at the school, see what the living situation is like, and even attend some classes with a host,” Kelli shared. “From there, I kind of just knew there was nowhere else that I’d rather be.”
Out of approximately 8,000 early applicants, Kelli was among the 692 prospective students accepted into Harvard University’s Class of 2028. Reflecting on her achievement, she expressed immense pride and inspiration. “To be among the rare Jackson-born scholars to be accepted into multiple Ivy Leagues and to do so as a woman of color has been one of the most inspiring experiences of my life,” she said.
Kelli has always looked up to accomplished Black women like Michelle Obama. She takes pride in knowing that her success can inspire future generations. “It feels absolutely great. To have success like Michelle Obama, and to now know that I’m in a position where I can obtain that level of success career-wise and inspire other young Black women and scholars, just means a lot to me,” she added.
Throughout her high school years, Kelli’s success was not limited to academics. She was actively involved in community partnerships and organizations promoting youth development and advocacy. She took more than ten advanced placement classes and was a key member of her school’s student government and newspaper staff. Additionally, she served on the City of Jackson’s Youth Council, contributing to local governance and youth initiatives.
Kelli plans to study Government at Harvard University, where she aims to continue her passion for advocacy and public service. Her journey from Jackson High to Harvard is a testament to her hard work, determination, and the support of her community. As she prepares to embark on this new chapter, Kelli’s story serves as an inspiration to many young scholars aiming to achieve their dreams against all odds.
Cynthia Umezulike, an exceptional Nigerian human rights lawyer, has recently achieved an extraordinary academic milestone by earning two master’s degrees and a PhD in Law from prestigious universities in the United Kingdom. This remarkable accomplishment underscores her dedication to the legal profession and her commitment to human rights advocacy.
Cynthia’s academic journey began in Nigeria, where she obtained her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from Igbinedion University. She then proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, where she was inducted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Her pursuit of excellence continued in the UK, where she earned a Master of Laws (LL.M) in International Law and Criminal Justice from the University of East London and another LL.M from Queen Mary University of London.
Her academic achievements culminated in a PhD in Law from Birkbeck University of London. Cynthia’s doctoral research, focused on International Human Rights Law, earned her the Gilchrist Trust special notation for outstanding PhD research across Birkbeck University.
Cynthia has extensive expertise in international human rights instruments, norms, and principles. She is the President and Chief Consultant at the Global Human Rights Centre, where she leads research and advocacy on human rights and climate change. Her work includes advisory consultation to international organizations, NGOs, businesses, and governments on human rights due diligence and rights-based research. Click here to read more about Cynthia Umezulike.
