Get To Know Miss ASU 2019-2020 Candidate Jhaianne Cooper. By : Nikita Dennis

“I believe it’s important that we honor those who come before us, but at the same time we have to invest, create and cultivate our future,” said Jhaianne Cooper, a native of Chicago, ILL.

A rehabilitation services major and dance minor, Cooper is vying to become Miss Alabama State University 2019-2020. Her platform, “Legacy” means to honor the past and cultivate the future , with legacy being an acronym for leadership, education, growth, advocacy, creativity and you. 

Each year, young women are given the opportunity to compete for the title of Miss ASU, to serve as the face and ambassador of the university. This year, she is competing among three other candidates for the position and believes she will be able to represent the student body both on and off campus with her one of a kind personality. 

“I think we’re all pretty much amazing and stand out in different ways, but what’s most unique about me is that I’m genuine. What I want to do for the university is represent the school on and off campus and I’ve already started doing that,” said Cooper. 

Cooper is the founder of Radiant Souls, a non-profit community service organization dedicated to enhancing inner and outer beauty by providing styling services to people who are homeless, hospitalized, at risk youth, or unemployed. Their mission is to “mend the broken, lift the fallen, and radiate the soul.” 

Cooper dream is to expand her 501c3 organization to other HBCUs and continue to help the community. 

She says being the founder of Radiant Souls helped her to gain more leadership skills.

“ What I love about Radiant Souls is that although we’re helping the community, we’re also helping our students,” said Cooper. 

Radiant Souls is not the only organization Cooper is a part of, she is a member of Beta Phi Alpha honors society, Rehabilitation Services Club, ASPIRE Mentoring program, and plenty others. 

Cooper’s goal after graduating is to become a chiropractor specializing in therapy for professional dancers and gymnasts. She chose to major in rehab services because she grew up knowing the importance of helping others and giving back to the community. 

Being that her mother is a teacher and her father is a fireman, Cooper knew she would be going into a field that required her to use her helping hands. 

“I’ve always had that mentality of everything you do you have to help someone else,” said Cooper.

Cooper believes students should set small goals and balance their time,; she advises all students to find a mentor and surround themselves with like minded people. 

While a student at ASU, she has learned to be independent and finding different resources while far from home, most importantly she feels she has grown spiritually as a student.

“ coming to college, it’s inevitable for you to grow, you’re going to grow one way or another hopefully it’s for the better,” said Cooper.