In this Fuel Your Future series, we profile six motivated students on their educational journey and learn how Davenport is igniting their passion and fueling their future. 

Classes start Sept. 2 & Oct. 27 apply at davenport.edu/apply 

 

Ja’Mari Glover’s college path was anything but a straight line, with more than his share of hills, valleys and bumps along the way. But he chose to persevere, reaching his goal this past spring. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration with his three daughters cheering him from the crowd as he picked up his diploma. He’s now on staff at Lansing Technical High School in Lansing, Mich.

“When I first walked through the doors of Davenport University in 2012 to pursue my dreams in business administration, I never could have imagined how far I would come or what I would achieve,” Glover said.

After graduating high school in 2010, Glover enrolled at Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio. His world was shattered, however, when his father was murdered that same year. “His passing left a void, and I struggled to figure out how to keep going without him,” Glover said. He returned home to Michigan and eventually enrolled at Davenport.

In 2016, tragedy struck again.

“I also lost a daughter, which left me broken, unsure of how to continue pursuing my dreams. But I realized that to heal I needed to keep pushing—honoring their memories by living the lives they never had the chance to.”

That resolve marked the beginning of a long and difficult comeback. Returning to school wasn’t easy. Failing classes, retaking them, and maxing out financial aid were just a few of the challenges–all while juggling family life and multiple jobs.

“While balancing two jobs, school and family, it felt like every step forward was met with two steps back. But I kept going, because I knew if I could push through, I could show my daughters that anything is possible. If Dad can do it, you can do it too.”

Throughout it all, one person remained steady in his life, his mom.      

“I am grateful to my mother, who has been my constant support through all of this. She has shared my struggles and triumphs, walking alongside me showing me what true resilience looks like.”

Glover found his place when he started working for the Lansing School District and saw how much students respected him and the control he could have in the classroom. He couldn’t grow, however, without a bachelor’s degree. That was his motivation to finish.

He continued at Davenport working toward his degree during the pandemic and the birth of two more daughters, three in total. It wasn’t easy.

“Throughout my time at Davenport, I have learned not just academic concepts but also the importance of leadership, resilience and community,” Glover said. “I’d like to give a huge shout out to Jenny Thurber (Student access coordinator on Davenport’s Lansing campus) for the help and guidance she gave to me during my 13-year journey.”

Glover also credits his involvement in the Business Professionals of America (BPA) program for shaping who he is today.

“Serving as a leader within BPA allowed me to collaborate with others who shared my passion, while also teaching me that true leadership is about service—helping others reach their potential and guiding them toward shared goals.”

With his degree in hand, Glover now plans to teach math and eventually go back to school for a master’s degree in education. His goal is to be a principal or assistant principal in the Lansing area and continue to be a positive example for his daughters and others of what you can achieve when you push through and persevere.

“I’m filled with gratitude for the experiences, lessons and opportunities this journey has given me,” Glover said. “I’ve learned, with hard work and determination, there is nothing we cannot achieve.”