Finding Greatness: Jordan Pridgeon

Author: News Bureau
Posted: Monday, August 24, 2020 12:00 AM
Categories: Pressroom | Students | Finding Greatness | School of Arts and Letters

Macon, GA

Media and Communication major Jordan Pridgeon is editor of the MGA student newspaper, The Statement, and layout editor of the art and literary publication, The Fall Line Review.

First Name: Jordan Pridgeon.

Age: 21.

Hometown: “I was born in Stockbridge, Ga., but grew up and attended school in McDonough, Ga.”

High School: “I attended Union Grove High School, where I played junior varsity tennis and served as sports editor and co-chief editor for the student newspaper, The Prowler.  I was also nominated for Union Grove GHP program (journalism) and made it to the county level. Before I transferred to Middle Georgia State, I attended Georgia State University and studied journalism.”

Family: “My family has supported in everything I do, without hesitation. I have had a tremendous amount of help from all of them and many of my friends as well. A big thank you to Cynthia Hester (mother), Daryl Pridgeon (father), John Kozisek (stepfather), Teri Chiong (stepmother), Penny & Harry Pridgeon (grandparents), Beverly Hester (grandmother), Kim Hester (aunt) Madison and Gracie (cousins), Kevin Pridgeon and Laura Kohake (uncle and aunt), William Grant Childers (fiancé), and Zeus, Britney, Mango, Gunner, Bella, Coco (pets). Also, friends like Dana Allred, Devyn Mode, and many other friends have helped me tremendously along the way.”

Employment: “I am a full-time student and I am working as the editor & layout editor of the school newspaper, The Statement. Part of the year, I work as the layout editor of The Fall Line Review.  I also work as a host at a restaurant.” 

Degree Objective: Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication.

Class Rank: Junior.

Activities: Editor & layout editor for The Statement, layout editor of The Fall Line Review.

Career Goals: “I have always wanted to work in the media field and I have a passion for design. Particularly, I would enjoy doing website and social media work in the music industry or with a commercial brand of some kind. I hope to have my own media consulting business one day. In the meantime, I want to work with as many different organizations possible. I love my degree choice because it allows me to explore so many career options.”

She chose Middle Georgia State University because … “I wanted a fresh start and I felt like this particular university offered a degree that most closely aligned with what I wanted to study. I have always bounced around with different career ideas but once I started MGA I was able to determine what I really like to do and what I do well.”

The greatest thing she discovered about Middle Georgia State was … “Acceptance. I have sometimes felt like at other universities there’s pressure on you to be the perfect student. But at MGA, they want you to be an overall well-rounded student. Professors understand that you have other classes, jobs, and other responsibilities. They are usually available most days of the week and are always willing to answer your questions. They notice when you are struggling in class and reach out to you. I don’t think I would find that at many other schools.”

Her greatest academic experience as a Middle Georgia student has been … “Having my professors - like Dr. Nicholson, Dr. Whiddon, Dr. Brennan, Dr. Keith, and many more – go out of their way to recommend me for different activities and help me become a better student. They all take the time to get to know their students. When I struggled in some courses, they made sure I would get to where I was understanding the material.”

To her, greatness means … “Being the best you can be. As long as you’re trying and working hard, the mistakes and errors you make along the way will only be small issues. When you focus on the bigger picture and why it’s so important, the work seems easier.”

In five years … “I hope that personally I am able to grow even more as a person. I want to be able to travel and buy my first house and learn more about myself. I plan on working on my master’s degree in Technical and Professional writing within a year of graduating in late 2021. But I also want to start working towards finding a job in my field.  The past few years I have been working different restaurant and retail jobs full-time and going to school full-time. I often felt like I couldn’t finish school - or maybe it was not the right path for me. So I’m very excited to get a break to clear my head and then jump into my field. I want to show other women like me that anything is possible. My senior year of high school I had started to focus less on school and more on working, and if I hadn’t had so many people pushing me along the way, I probably wouldn’t be here right now. I think every aspect of your life is important - social life, education, family, etc., but one of the most rewarding things is starting to feel like your own person in your own independent career. Never let anxiety or fear hold you back. You can plan your whole life but you can’t control things that happen to you. A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.”