Online Grad Uses Degrees to Help Others

Jessi Montgomery, ’17, MBA ’20, is sometimes asked about her degrees. After all, a bachelor’s in human services and an MBA don’t automatically seem to jive. In response, Montgomery simply says, “I’m in the business of helping people.”

She is the first-ever development manager at KCEOC Community Action Partnership in Barbourville, Kentucky. (KCEOC stands for Kentucky Communities Economic Opportunity Council.) In essence, her job is to fill the gap between what their federal funding covers and what their programs need to operate. Most of the programs are federally funded, and sometimes the funding barely covers the basic necessities and/or is highly restricted in what exactly the funds may cover. The job requires a lot of flexibility, creativity, and social networking.

Having worked in youth ministry and completed an internship in the Baptist Health Trillium Center’s adolescent unit, she was drawn to Ryan’s Place Youth Crisis Center, operated by KCEOC. A “crisis center” is a transitional housing facility where people can stay for 6-24 months. Most of the youth who find Ryan’s Place arrive with little more than the clothes on their backs.

When Montgomery asked the residents at Ryan’s Place for a “wish list” this year, she expected a laundry list of major, expensive items like cars, an Xbox, iPhones, etc. But the youth replied, “Well, we’ve been thinking it would be nice to have game nights. We would like some board games.” That stuck in Montgomery’s mind.

“Not one of them asked for something for themselves. They only requested something to share, something to bring them together,” she said. “The more I thought about it, the more I knew it had to be my top priority.”

She was taking online classes at Cumberlands at the time, and one evening when she logged in to do schoolwork, it dawned on her: What if Cumberlands could help? She contacted Dr. Jennifer Simpson, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Graduate School, who enthusiastically confirmed the University’s willingness to assist. Chris Kraftick, Athletic Director, volunteered his department to supply the games. The national lockdown in spring stilted efforts somewhat, but several teams donated board games which Montgomery delivered to Ryan’s Place.

“The residents were grateful for the kindness Cumberlands bestowed to them and have made good use of the board games,” she said.

Being able to make a real difference in the lives of youth in crisis – having the opportunity to somehow change the community for the better – is an absolute dream job for Montgomery.

“I am just a normal person trying to make the world a better place,” she said. “I think my story is inspirational precisely because it’s not. It’s not incredible, it’s not unbelievable. It’s obtainable. I did it and so can others.”

A completed bachelor’s degree and a lesson on how to write a killer résumé, courtesy of one of Montgomery’s professors, opened the door for her to land her current position. With an MBA now under her belt, her career pathway is wide open to whatever she sets her mind to. She can stay “in the business of helping people” no matter where life takes her.