Jade Ocampo
Growing up in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood, Jade Ocampo never imagined that her post-high school journey would take her into the world of quantum research, professional engineering societies, and national internships.
Before coming to Kennedy-King College, Salli Mae Ross had been homeschooled for her entire life. She enrolled in the college’s Adult Education program to earn her high school diploma and then transitioned into college credit courses to study media communications.
Despite it being her first experience on a school campus, Salli Mae settled in quickly.
“I really found a family here at Kennedy-King… I really found a home here,” she said.
Salli Mae maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her studies, earning the Presidential Scholar Award in 2021, the Cook County College Teachers Union Scholarship, and a spot in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
Now that she has graduated as Kennedy-King College’s valedictorian, Salli plans to continue her education in the media and communications industry.
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