« back to spotlight stories

Alumni Spotlight: Jazmine Kirkland '12

Jazmine Kirkland ‘12 first explored the field of science and research, beginning with her first Corporate Work Study (CWS) placement at Cuyahoga County Engineer’s Office where she completed data entry and developed project management skills. Today, Jazmine is changing the world around her via applied social research in the healthcare industry. What began as a CWS placement set Jazmine on a path of evolving curiosity, advocacy, and immense success.

Following graduation from Saint Martin, Jazmine attended Case Western Reserve University where she studied biology and sociology. After graduating with her bachelors degree in 2016, she attended Cleveland State University to complete her master’s in applied research, which she finished in 2018. Some of her most notable projects during this time include research on maternal healthcare and studies on infant development, in which she partnered with Rainbow Babies Hospital.

Now as a Data Analyst in the professional world, Jazmine is taking her passion for addressing the needs of the world around her to a new level. Jazmine rose to the challenges that accompanied the Covid-19 pandemic, conducting data analysis for the County Board of Health and the CDC. Recently, she served at the International Association for Indigenous Aging where she worked as an Evaluation and Measurement Research Associate. Jazmine’s passion for her work stems from her focus on the people and stories behind that data she analyzes. Her hope is to address the gaps in research that make it difficult for smaller organizations or nonprofits to conduct research or interpret their current data. She shares, “My goal is to use my professional career to make data readily available for organizations so that people can make good decisions based on the data which will in turn improve our world.” She hopes one day to become a subject matter expert in maternal and pediatric health care.

Regardless of which field of study Jazmine dedicates her talents to, it is indisputable that Jazmine is an incredible force of change. She thanks Saint Martin and the Corporate Work Study Program for instilling in her resourcefulness and preparing her to engage in the professional world which requires proper time management, attention to detail, and continual dedication to learning. Her Saint Martin education, paired with a desire to better understand the world around her, makes Jazmine an incredible asset to the scientific community.