LEADING
JEAN HER OWN RACE By Makena Griffis ’25
nly 0.0013% of individuals make an individual spot on an Olympic Team, but Mulern Jean ’15 beat the odds and found herself a part of the statistic in 2016 and 2020, competing for Team Haiti because her parents are Haitian. Today, the spotlight continues to vibrantly shine on former Charleston Southern University student-athlete, Jean. She was destined to adhere to Albert Einstein’s heroic quotation, “There comes a point in your life when you need to stop reading other
Mulern Jean competes during her undergraduate years. Photo by CSU Sports
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people’s books and write your own.” From postgraduation, to an Olympic athlete, and an advocate for public safety, Jean continues to articulate her story. Jean said, “Charleston Southern University became my new home when I was offered an NCAA D1 track scholarship by the Women’s Track and Field Program. I remember touring the university and instantly falling in love with the atmosphere, Southern hospitality, and faith integration.” Through grit and perseverance, Jean advises fellow student-athletes to prioritize
one’s goals and to not let anything or anyone stop you from accomplishing your goals. After graduating from CSU in 2015, Jean participated in the 2016 Olympics, competing in the 100 meter hurdles, representing Team Haiti. Jean would accomplish this same goal four years later at the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. As far as Jean’s Olympic experience goes, 2016 was her first Olympics and the largest stage/championship she had ever competed in. Unfortunately, her anxious nerves kept
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