Staff Spotlight: Five Questions with Jailain Hollon. Get to know our Associate Director of Communications & Stakeholder Engagement
Today, get to know Jailain Hollon: An Associate Director of Communications & Stakeholder Engagement with HCM Strategists.
Jailain is driven by a deep passion for storytelling and advocacy, particularly influenced by his own challenges in accessing higher education. As HCM’s Associate Director of Communications & Stakeholder Engagement, he leverages his background in journalism and media to champion educational equity. Jailain’s work is fueled by his desire to ensure that students, especially those from low-income backgrounds, have access to the same opportunities he was fortunate to receive. With a degree in Journalism and Creative Writing from Baruch College, Jailain brings a unique perspective to his role, advocating for a more accessible, affordable, and equitable educational system for all.
We’re lucky to have a team with diverse lived experiences. Tell us about your background and how you found your way to this work.
→ My background in communications and media is deeply rooted in my own education experiences and passion for storytelling, which is why I pursued a degree in Journalism and Creative Writing at Baruch College. The challenges I experienced stemmed from my difficulties accessing higher education that neither my family nor I could afford. I was devastated by how big the financial barriers were.
I found my way to this work in hopes that we can ensure that other students, especially those from low-income backgrounds, have the same opportunities I was fortunate enough to receive at Baruch College. By leveraging my experience in strategic communication and media, I hope to advocate for an educational system that is more accessible, affordable, and equitable for all students, regardless of their financial background.
HCM is dedicated to making educational systems more accessible, affordable, accountable, and equitable. What drives you to do this work?
→ What motivates me in my work is my own experience. I vividly recall the thrill of getting accepted into my top choices, only to be devastated upon realizing that neither my family nor I could afford the tuition fees, despite financial aid and scholarships. The devastation and shame of being admitted and unable to enroll made a lasting impression on me. Nevertheless, this setback turned out to be a blessing. I eventually attended and graduated from CUNY Baruch College, where the affordable tuition, financial aid package, and supportive community made all the difference. Every day, I wake up grateful for the education I received at Baruch College, and it fuels my passion for ensuring that other students from low-income backgrounds have access to the same high-quality education that Baruch gave me. My goal is to ensure that no student faces the heartbreak of being denied an education because of financial barriers.
What are you particularly proud of accomplishing professionally?
→ One of my most significant professional achievements was the work I did with ExpandED Schools, particularly our role in the Lights On Afterschool campaign with Afterschool Alliance. Our community outreach for this advocacy effort effectively caught the attention of New York State legislators and NYC Council members on social media. This was a people-powered campaign,; we engaged students, educators, afterschool programs, and other nonprofit groups to share their stories about the importance of funding for afterschool programs. We even got the ExpandED Junior Board members to help spread awareness. Our team's finest hour was uniting people for a cause greater than themselves. I take immense pride in having played a role in motivating others to advocate for someone else. It was a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we come together to support our communities.
What is one feature of your own educational journey you bring to your lens at HCM?
→ One feature of my educational journey that I bring to my work at HCM is the ability to authentically communicate the real stories of the people we help through our work. My background in journalism has helped me develop a knack for taking human experiences and shaping them into stories that capture the complexities and nuances of important issues. Those professional skills, as well as my experience facing roadblocks while obtaining a college degree allow me to see the issues in higher education from a birds-eye view and pinpoint the inequities in our current system. That is why I use my these skills to share the stories I discover in a way that resonates with policymakers, educators, and stakeholders. Sharing these stories is essential in advocating for more accessible and equitable educational opportunities.
When not working, what can people find you doing?
→ When I'm not at work, I usually spend my time taking care of my garden and incorporating colorful elements onto my lawn. Last year, I planted six Italian cypresses next to my now colorful Forest Pansy Redbud tree in my front yard, and this year, I've added a variety of little hydrangeas to the mix. Gardening has become a fulfilling way for me to unwind and enhance the aesthetics of my environment. If I'm not gardening, you might spot me enjoying my passion for movies at a local theater or spending time with family.
