Meet Jillian Stewart ’26

Where are you from and what is your background?
I am a San Francisco Bay Area native. I earned my undergraduate degree at Ohio State University, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Security and Intelligence. After a few internships in the political space I quickly realized a career in politics was no longer what I wanted. As a life-long athlete and sports fanatic I began to explore opportunities within the sport industry. I spent the last two years of my undergraduate studies working for my institution's athletic department. I knew within the first month of working there that I had finally found my calling and a new way to completely re-immerse myself in the sports world post athletic life.

Why did you apply for this graduate program and decide to study at USF?
After deciding I wanted to work in the sport industry, I immediately began researching graduate institutions with sport related programs. The very first program I came across was USF’s MS in Sport Management. I applied to and decided to study at USF for several reasons, one being the program's notoriety. This is one of the best programs not only domestically but globally. Investing in a graduate degree is a big decision. Because of this, I knew I wanted to be taught by the best of the best, have access to the top of the line resources, and learn alongside a group of driven, hardworking, and passionate individuals; all things USF would provide me with. In addition to the program's notoriety, USF stood out to me because it made every effort to create opportunities for prospective students to chat with current students and alumni. Seeing this intentional effort during the application process excited me for what was to come during the program. USF has a wide-reaching and influential alumni network. Attending USF would give me the opportunity to not only network with but also receive guidance and mentorship from these extraordinary alumni. Furthermore, having access to not one but two campuses across the state was especially appealing. The nature of the program was already designed to give students the ability to go out and get real world experience which is amazing, but the additional flexibility provided by the two campuses gives students the chance to explore opportunities statewide without having to put their education on hold which is nothing short of exceptional.

What impacts has the Dean's Scholarship had on your ability to further your studies?
Receiving the Dean's Scholarship has impacted me in so many ways. This scholarship has allowed me the opportunity to focus solely on my studies by removing my financial burden and lightening the load of my student debt. This scholarship made it possible for me to fully invest in myself, my internships, my studies, and my career aspirations. By alleviating my financial related stress I have been empowered to reach for the stars without having to be weighed down by crippling student debt.

What are your career ambitions?
My career aspirations revolve around my passion for creating positive, meaningful, and long lasting change through partnership. The vision I currently hold for my career would include becoming Chief Revenue Officer and Executive Vice President of NFL Partnerships and eventually establishing my own consulting agency. A long term goal I strive to achieve is to use my position and platform to not only normalize but encourage mental health related conversations through mental health partnerships. I strongly believe the mental health, especially the mental health of athletes, should be monitored at all levels from youth to professional. In the future, I would love to found a non-profit organization that focuses on providing schools with sports psychologists to help athletes regulate their mental health, overcome injuries, and learn how to reimagine their love of sport post retirement. My aspiration to make change extends beyond the NFL and even the sport industry. I desire to share my passions with various sports teams and organizations and even the entertainment industry because I know how meaningful sponsorships and programs can be for players, fans, and brands alike.

What is something unique or interesting about you?
I am the grand-niece of Jackie Robinson! Every five years we hold a large family reunion which includes the Robinson side of the family. This is where I learned about our familial relationship. My great uncle's story has inspired not only myself but so many others. The number “42” serves as a reminder to myself to excel in all that I do, keep going even when things get hard, and to not be afraid to ruffle some feathers when fighting for change.