by Shawn Nowlin
Jasean Robertson is someone who believes that every day we wake up, there’s an opportunity to add an entry to our life story. The way he sees it, sustained success cannot happen without discipline and consistency.
Robertson’s first 21 years of life consist of various chapters. It all started with his Star City upbringing, which he says shaped every part of who he is today.
“I was raised in the projects in an environment where instability, financial hardship and uncertainty were common realities. Much of my upbringing was shaped by watching my mother and grandmother work tirelessly to provide and protect our family,” he said. “At four, my father was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Although he was incarcerated, he stayed with me throughout every stage of my journey.”
He continued, “Roanoke gave me hunger. It gave me perspective. It made me understand the value of education, discipline and determination.”
Robertson’s academic acumen and other talents were noticed early on. Many neighbors, mentors and former teachers always knew that he was destined for greatness.
Beyond the classroom, Robertson played on Patrick Henry High’s baseball team. While not the most gifted athlete, his determination and work ethic always stood out.
Reflecting on his high school experience, Robertson said, “It was defined by ambition and learning how to believe in myself, even when the odds felt stacked against me. Even when the journey felt isolated, those years taught me how to work for opportunities, rather than wait for them.”
Long before he walked across the stage to get his diploma, Robertson knew what he wanted to do in life – serve in a company leadership position.
Robertson had a plethora of colleges to choose from, from Ivy League institutions to full rides to several HBCUs. His reasons for choosing Howard University were both pragmatic and intentional.
“I chose Howard because I wanted to be in an environment where excellence among Black students wasn’t viewed as exceptional; it was expected,” he said. “Coming from Roanoke, I knew I needed more than just an education. I needed transformation. Howard gave me that.”
On his way to graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, Robertson was deeply involved across the campus through leadership and professional development initiatives.
“I served within the Howard University Elections Commission, NAACP Howard Chapter and the National Society of Leadership & Success,” he said. “One of the accomplishments I am most proud of was being a founding member of New to the Mecca, where I helped create structure for incoming students navigating Howard for the first time.”
Robertson recently earned the 2026 Howard University Alumni Association Future Leader Award.
Understanding that a price must be paid to reach personal milestones has been crucial to what Robertson has been able to accomplish. Pursuing his MHA and creating meaningful impact through leadership are some of his shortand long-term goals, respectively.
Today, when he looks in the mirror, Robertson sees an overachiever whose real impact has just begun.
Currently based in Milwaukee, he works for GE Healthcare as part of its Operations Management Leadership Program. “My work focuses on strategic operations and supply chain management through a highly competitive two-year rotational program,” he said.
Robertson’s advice to current high school students is straightforward: “There will be moments where life feels unfair, where resources feel limited and where success feels distant. But your circumstances are not your identity. My journey is proof that growth is possible when preparation meets purpose.”
