Neighbor

Certain adjectives stand out when coming up with a befitting description of neighbor Jackson Cantrell, including curious, driven, passionate, and intelligent. From a young age, Jackson always asked questions and sought knowledge, which led to a natural curiosity about the world. This curiosity has fueled Jackson’s success and led him to some pretty unique places.

Now a sophomore at The College of William & Mary, Jackson actually took an exciting detour to arrive at the prestigious Virginia institution. His journey began when he was named a 2021 National Merit Scholar at Mandeville High School, and Florida State Univerity offered him a full scholarship to receive his undergraduate degree. Ever the researcher, Jackson soon discovered that the full ride from FSU would translate to funding his studies at the university’s flagship study center in Florence, Italy. It was an opportunity he had to take.

In August of 2021, as a freshman, Jackson began his college career with eleven months of studying Italian, European history, and service immersion in the Tuscan community. About his program, Jackson explains, “Taking several European history courses that encompassed the Renaissance period through World War II, the site visits and day trips the professors provided were incredible.” Using the convenience of Europe’s rail system, Jackson and his classmates found themselves exploring the historic sites of Prague, Vienna, and Budapest. Further, taking full advantage of his time abroad, he even traveled alone to experience Paris, Zurich, Barcelona, and Palermo. His adventures continued as he visited elaborate mosques and 6th-century cisterns of Istanbul and ancient Egyptian wonders in Cairo and Luxor. Grateful for the opportunity, Jackson reflects on this life-changing freshman year, “ Walking the grounds of those who came before us has an impact that can’t come from books, lectures, or movies. I was incredibly lucky to win my academic scholarship to study in Italy. It’s what made these travels possible.” A college first year, he will, without a doubt, treasure forever.

Ever the explorer, Jackson considered continuing his studies at Florida State’s London campus. Knowing that some of the coursework he needed for his degree would not be available, he knew it was time to return home and head to Virginia.

Thus, Jackson began his sophomore year in Williamsburg at The College of William & Mary. Founded in 1693, William & Mary is the country’s second oldest institution of higher education. The historical aspect of the school would play a significant role in Jackson’s choosing it because his love of history is a significant part of who he is. “In searching for the right fit in terms of higher education, I wanted a place that was filled with history, was well regarded for academics, and whose community shared the same values as me,” Jackson explains his college choice.

When asked about his favorite part of William & Mary, with enthusiasm, he says,“My favorite part about W&M as an institution is the nature of its professors. They each have their own unique ways of teaching and in forming relationships with their students. They are always accessible, experts in their fields, and incredibly humble and down to earth.” Jackson appreciates his instructors’ sincerity and likes that he can form close relationships with them. A significant advantage of being in the smaller liberal arts environment is that it adds to the learning experience.

William & Mary is the perfect fit for this young man with an insatiable curiosity and drive to learn and improve the world. With a double major in history and government, asking him to name his favorite course proved challenging. “The curriculum for history and government at William & Mary is amazing, so it’s hard to pin down just one,” he explains. However, he finds an international politics course particularly interesting as he considers the different perspectives and approaches to global security. This is a topic that he wants to fully understand regarding the inner workings of international policy.

Coursework and studying notwithstanding, Jackson is busy. Like any college student, he enjoys hanging out with his friends. He also likes to hike, read, cook, and kayak. He is currently involved in creating a Wargaming society at William & Mary. He is also a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, a leadership organization, Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, and has recently joined the sailing club. Jackson is also a member of the Lemon Project Society. This studentvolunteer organization supports the Lemon Project, A Journey of Reconciliation, established to make right the perpetrations against enslaved African Americans by The College of William & Mary.

Jackson Cantrell always seeks new challenges and pushes himself to be the best he can be. His curiosity and determination have been key factors in his success, and there is no doubt that he will continue to achieve great things. As for his future, Jackson plans to eventually pursue a career in either national security or foreign service. “I believe that in studying, interacting with, and experiencing different cultures, we can better understand the similarities and differences between nations and come to a fundamental understanding together.” Those are wise and authentic words from a young man who wants to improve the world.