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Although she didn’t get to meet her great-grandparents, graduating senior Jocelyn Marables heard enough about their time at Kentucky State University from their daughter to know that this place was special and where she too needed to be to grow.

“My grandmother talked often about not only her parents’ love for Kentucky State but spoke fondly of her memories here as well,” Jocelyn shared. “Their legacy definitely influenced my decision to attend. This university has truly served as a fountain of wealth, opportunity, and enrichment in my life.”

Jocelyn transferred to Kentucky State as a junior in the fall of 2020 and has had a lot of success in her short time at the university.

The agriculture, food, and the environment major has completed two internships while at Kentucky State – one with Wilson Nurseries as a greenhouse garden intern and a second at Central Kentucky AgCredit as a marketing intern – and now feels prepared for the rigors of the working world.

“My internship with Central Kentucky AgCredit prepared me for work in an office environment. It was an intense 8 – 4:30 p.m. experience where I performed a range of duties including developing content for social media and magazine articles, evaluating customer experience reviews, and conducting customer interviews.”

After she graduates on May 13, Jocelyn will head right into the workforce having been offered a full-time position at John Deere in Ag marketing.

Anticipating her big day, Jocelyn says she will be overwhelmed with emotions.

“My story at Kentucky State has been one filled with joy, excitement, and emergent new beginnings. Graduation is merely an ending to one beautiful aspect of my journey and I will truly miss being a student,” Jocelyn expressed adding that her impact and influence at Kentucky State will not end with her final walk. 

 “My goal is to better my alma mater by creating institutional and social infrastructure that will permit Kentucky State to withstand the test of time. I aim to make my great-grandparents proud by living out their legacy.”

The Louisville, Kentucky native wants to own a botanical garden and farm. She also plans to use a portion of her future business to serve disadvantaged, inner-city youth with free or low-cost art therapy sessions. On the weekend, her botanical garden will serve as a cultural center specifically geared toward people from the African diaspora.