Shared Effort

By Treva Nolen
Communications Consultant, Princeton Project 55
November 6, 2007

Jessica Johnson '98

Jessica Johnson ‘98 joined the Princeton Project 55 community as an summer intern at the Community Media Workshop and then as a fellow at The Chicago Foundation for Education through the Public Interest Program (PIP) after graduating in 1998.

When she completed her fellowship, Jessica volunteered to mentor other PP55 fellows. Since then she has continued to be a solid source of support for the organization. Her experience came full circle this year when she joined Project 55’s Board of Directors, agreed to co-chair the PIP alumni annual campaign for the second year in a row, and also answered the call to become the next New York Area Coordinator for PP55’s Public Interest Program. And she does all this while working full time as the Development Officer at the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP)!

Jessica will be carrying on the great work of Board member and former New York Coordinator, Chet Safian ’55, who has coordinated the New York program since 1989. Chet Safian has seen first hand the impact Jessica has had on this organization since her fellowship 9 years ago. As a member of the founding class of 1955, Safian is happy to see younger alumni fulfilling Project 55’s mission of engaging alumni in the public interest. “The future of PP55 is secure thanks to former fellows like Jessica. We are all justifiably proud of what she has accomplished and will continue to accomplish,” said Safian.

Jessica will serve as the alumni contact person for fellows, organizations, mentors, and Princeton Project 55 staff in the New York City region. Along with the members of the New York steering committee, Jessica will spend a great deal of time and effort helping to organize events, recruit applicants, and support fellows and partners throughout the fellowship year.