Education Alumna Jocelyn Tyree Has a New Mission 1/09 Following in her late mother's footsteps, Jocelyn Tyree sought to become a teacher. That was the path she pursued while she excelled at MCCC, graduating in 2001 with her associate degree. From Mercer, she went on to Temple University, graduating summa cum laude in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and, in 2007, with a master's in Urban Education. After several years in the classroom, Tyree is now combining her love for children with a spiritual calling. This fall, she began graduate studies at Palmer Theological Seminary in Philadelphia to pursue a master's in Divinity and Social Work. "I have always loved working with children," Tyree said. "After assessing my strengths and weaknesses, I decided to combine both counseling and ministry. My pastor, the Rev. J. Stanley Justice at Mt. Zion AME Church in Trenton, also inspired me." Jocelyn Tyree '01 Tyree is grateful to professors and staff at Mercer, "who have been supportive of me from day one," she said. "They always made themselves available to me even out of the classroom. I remember them encouraging me to keep going to reach greater heights." She was particularly gratified to be nominated for Who's Who in American Junior Colleges. Tyree's career development was also bolstered by her experience with MCCC administrators as a work study student and with the staff of the Project S.M.I.L.E./GEAR UP program at Mercer's James Kerney campus, where she served as a mentor and secondary education counselor for middle and high school students. She received S.M.I.L.E.'s Outstanding Middle School Counselor Award in 2006 and 2007. Her ultimate goal is to establish her own in-school counseling program. "I have a passion for today's youth," Tyree said. "I desire for them to become spiritually, emotionally, and mentally whole individuals who will be able to blossom and contribute to our society as they grow and develop." Return to Alumni & Friends

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