As UMA celebrates 60 years, we’re sharing stories from the students, staff, faculty, and alumni who continue to shape our community. We recently spoke with Jemima George about her challenges navigating an unfamiliar academic system, her decision to move into the dorms, her rise to SGA president, and her ambitions for the future.
Q: Jemima, can you tell us about your program and what drew you to it?
I’m a rising senior in the Criminal Justice program with a Pre-Law concentration. I also have a minor in psychology and I’m taking certifications in mediation and paralegal studies.
I was already in college in Nigeria before I moved here, so I understood our legal system and how it worked. But coming to the United States everything was completely different. Nigeria’s laws are rooted in colonial British rule, but the American colonies separated from the British and built something different. I see some similarities between the two systems, but now I can clearly see how different they are.
I’d say my favorite part of the program has been learning about American legal history and constitutional law. It’s pretty amazing seeing how different it is over here.
Q: What brought you to the University of Maine at Augusta?
I moved with my family from Nigeria to Maine, and I had no idea what the school in the U.S. was like or anything. My mom and I were looking for a college close to home, and we found the Rockland Center. So, I started there before moving to Augusta.
When I began, I didn’t know how the American education system worked. Everything was happening so fast, and I failed all my classes that first semester. My advisor, Katie, suggested I move to Augusta and take classes in person on campus. She said, “You’re young. You need to be out with other students.” So I moved into the dorms and started classes on campus, and that changed everything for me.
Q: How did living on campus make a difference?
When I was taking classes at the Rockland Center, they were usually in the evenings and not really in person, so I rarely ever saw anybody.
Living in the dorms in Augusta was a whole other experience. It’s a different feeling when you’re living on campus compared to commuting from home. At home, your parents are there saying, “come do this,” or “come do that,” but at the dorms you kind of have to figure out life yourself. You have to know what to do at what time and start, you know, becoming adultish.
Being on campus helped me meet more people my age and interact with other students. It gave me more structure and helped me focus on what I came here to do. I started learning how to balance things, manage my time, and just take responsibility for myself.
Q: How did connecting with Student Life influence your experience?
I’ve never really been one to be interested in social activities or student engagement, but I made a new friend, and we went on a Student Life trip together. That’s where I met the Student Life crew. When we came back to campus, I was like, okay, I’d like to work at Student Life.
While I was working there one of the leaders suggested I join the Student Government Association (SGA) and get involved. With her encouragement, I applied that fall. That was how I started. Now I’m SGA president — which still feels kind of crazy.
Q: UMA is known for its close community. What kind of support have you experienced here?
I tell people all the time, UMA is a community school. It’s close, like family. You know who to meet when you need something, and you know who to talk to. Everyone’s here to help you. We’re small, so it’s easy to notice when someone’s not doing well and make sure they’re okay. Having that community making sure you’re doing well, means so much.
Even my advisor, Lynn Poore, was always encouraging and supportive. She’d see me in class and say, “Oh my gosh, Mima, you made it.” That made me want to work harder. I started striving not just for A’s and B’s but for all A’s.
When things get overwhelming, people remind me to take a step back. They will say, “You don’t have to put so much on your plate. Give yourself grace.” That kind of support makes a big difference.
I like that I have that community here at UMA. If I were somewhere bigger, I don’t think I’d have this kind of close connection. I’m happy that I’m here and making a name for myself.
Q: You were recently featured in an article about your academic internship in Washington, D.C. through The Fund for Americans Studies (TFAS). What was that experience like?
My internship in Washington, D.C., was eye opening. I got to meet with Senator King’s legislative assistant and interact with her team. I learned that, if I ever go into government, I’d want to be behind the scenes — not a senator or anything like that, but working with the people who help make things happen.
I found public policy really interesting, but it’s not something I see myself doing for a very long time. It’s more about having the experience and being able to say, okay, I did this, I learned from it, and I can use it later. I like putting myself out there to see what I really enjoy before choosing a path.
This summer, I worked with the Consumer Advocate Network, which connected more with my psychology minor. I supported first citizens and returning citizens and did mental health outreach. It was both fun and meaningful, but now I want to come back to my major and get experience in the legal field next summer.
Q: What are your goals after UMA?
I want to go to law school, and my top three choices are Stanford, NYU, and Harvard.
My mom wanted to be a lawyer when she was younger, but she never had the money for it. She went into nursing instead and built her career from there. I could never do anything science related because I can’t stand blood or hospitals, so I chose law.
I’ve always been the kind of person who isn’t afraid to speak up. I can be playful, but when I’m serious, I’m serious. There are so many people out there who need to be heard and seen, and I just want to give back to the community.
Q: What advice would you give to new UMA students?
Coming to college is a big step. You meet different people, professors, and classmates from different backgrounds. Take it all in and give yourself grace. Don’t rush into trying to do everything at once. Observe, learn, and get a feel for what’s going on before deciding what you want to do.
I feel like your first year should be about soaking it all in, seeing what college is all about and what UMA is all about. Then in your second year, start putting in bigger effort, being out there, and making a name for yourself. When you start doing that, it can open doors you never even dreamed of.
Once you understand how the system works, you’ll excel. Give yourself grace and get involved in activities because that’s how you meet people who can help you along the way. If I hadn’t asked questions or interacted with others, I don’t think I’d be where I am today.