Sa'Dasia Jordan's path to Temple University was shaped by more than just her ambitions; it was also solidified by a promise she made to her late grandfather. After his passing in 2020, Sa'Dasia enrolled at Temple as a freshman, fulfilling his legacy in the very community where she grew up.

"I was raised in North Philadelphia, blocks from Temple’s campus," she says. "Living so close to this beautiful community and seeing Temple’s presence around me my whole life made me want to come here. It felt like the right place for me."

Sa'Dasia’s enrollment at Temple was made possible through the Cecil B. Moore Scholars Program, a scholarship initiative designed to support students from North Philadelphia. She was selected as part of the program’s inaugural cohort in 2021, and is now poised to be among the first group of Cecil B. Moore Scholars to graduate from Temple.

"My grandfather wanted me to come to Temple. He always said he wanted to see me do better," she reflects. "I came here in honor of him."

At Temple, Sa'Dasia is pursuing a Bachelor of Public Health with a concentration in Applied Epidemiology. A class during her freshman helped define her desired career path.

"When I first got here, I didn’t know much about public health. I thought I wanted to be a doctor, then a nurse, then a pediatrician. But when I took a class called 'Public Health: The Way We Live, Work, and Play,' I realized public health, especially epidemiology, was what really stood out to me," she says. "It made me want to become an epidemiologist and work in clinical research."

Through her studies, Sa'Dasia discovered another passion: teaching. "I want to be a high school science teacher and also work as a clinical research epidemiologist," she shares. "Health science is underrepresented in most curriculums, especially when it comes to educating students about health disparities in underserved communities."

She has big plans to make an impact in Philadelphia and beyond. "I want to work in Philadelphia or Houston, two cities with large African American populations where health disparities are still prevalent," she explains. "A lot of African American women, especially, face health issues that are overlooked because we tend to avoid facing difficult diagnoses. I want to change that through both teaching and research."

Outside of her academics, Sa'Dasia is actively involved in extracurriculars that have enriched her experience at Temple. She serves as the social media coordinator for Eta Sigma Gamma, a national health education honorary society, and as a College of Public Health Student Ambassador, roles that have helped her grow both professionally and personally.

"I’ve learned so much about networking and communication through these roles. It’s amazing how many people are passionate about public health," she says. "Being a student ambassador also gives me a platform to share my experiences and what I’ve learned in the College of Public Health."

Reflecting on her journey, Sa'Dasia admits she wasn’t always this goal driven. "There comes a time in your academic career when you realize that fun and friends aren't all life is about," she says. "After graduation, real life hits, and you have to be ready for it."

When she's not focused on her studies or extracurriculars, Sa'Dasia enjoys spending time with the people she loves most. "I'm very family oriented. I love hanging out with my mom and brother whenever I get the chance," she says with a smile. "This semester has been really busy, though!"

As she looks ahead to graduation, Sa'Dasia’s advice for incoming students is simple but powerful: "Follow your dreams and take it one day at a time. It can be stressful, but you never know what your impact will be until you get there."

Her professors and mentors are already encouraging her to return for her Master of Public Health (MPH), and Sa'Dasia is eager to continue her journey in public health. As one of the first students in the Cecil B. Moore Scholars Program, she is excited to soon be part of the inaugural class to graduate from Temple under this initiative—a testament to her dedication, her grandfather's memory, and her commitment to making a difference in her community.