Jessica Schurz
Fall 2019 John Jay Fellow
Hometown: Lusaka, Zambia
College: Baylor University
Degree: B.S. Economics; B.S. Psychology
Jessica grew up in Lusaka, Zambia in a missionary family. In May 2018, she graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the Honors College at Baylor University. There, she studied Economics & Psychology in pursuit of better understanding the roots of systemic material poverty and its effects on individuals. These questions also led her to intern with International Justice Mission, present research on the effects of the gender education gap in Southern Africa, work as an investment analyst at a local foundation, and write her thesis on fostering self-efficacy in low-income classrooms.
While at Baylor, Jessica also completed the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core, where she studied an integrated curriculum exploring literature and thought from around the world. Through this, she developed a love for examining questions through dialogue and conversation. She then joined Baylor's McLane Scholars and William Carey Crane Scholars, where she participated in faculty-led discussions on economics and faith, respectively. Jessica also co-led a group called Convivium; founded on the conviction that every human person desires transcendence, this conversation series focuses on bringing students together to hear outstanding scholars speak on topics most pressing to young adults. This past year, she studied theology with a program called Brazos Fellows and researched the relationship between truth and reconciliation through the lens of the Early Church. Jessica is passionate about how holistic economic development can be integrated with theology and hopes to explore this further at a graduate level.
As a John Jay Fellow, Jessica is most excited for the open doors of Fairview Manor - to be formed, by community, to both welcome others in and to be sent out.