Outstanding Young Alumnus Jamal Sowell works to link communities

Author: Unknown Publication Date: Friday July 01, 2011

Jamal Sowell (BA '05) strengthened communities halfway around the world, only to return to UF in order to help Gators do the same. The UF Alumni Association recognized him this spring as one of 33 Outstanding Young Alumni for 2011.

Sowell, former UF student body president from 2004 to 2005, served as platoon commander and a company executive officer for the Marine Corps in Afghanistan, where he planned and conducted counterinsurgency operations.

"We were trying to help build a nation," he says of his time in Afghanistan. "It's more about talking to the community, giving them the resources they need, such as corn seed and wheat, allowing them to know that they do have an ally besides the Taliban."

Now, Sowell works as the special assistant to UF President Bernie Machen, helping ensure the administration has a voice with students and working with the UF Board of Trustees, community leaders, government officials and the university at large.

Sowell realized the need for universities to be involved in their communities when he was on a mission trip to Durham, N.C., while in graduate school. He worked in Walltown, which was only a few blocks from Duke's campus. But when he would ask students about the area, they didn't have any clue it existed.

This disconnect inspires Sowell to work to bridge the gap between the impoverished and those in higher education. He hopes to continue to work in the field to not only empower students, but entire communities.

"I'm not much for titles at all," he says. "I'd like to be someone who is going to give back to the world in some form or fashion."

Read about all 33 Outstanding Young Alumni
Learn more about the UFAA's Young Alumni Program