Jessica Smith

University of Wisconsin-Superior

Jessica Smith, a student at University of Wisconsin-Superior, is a devoted to addressing the cases of murdered and missing Indigenous people in the United States. Jessica has interned and works as a research assistant with the Sovereign Bodies Institute. She advocates for victims and survivors by participating in a National webinar series, a National podcast series on issues of violence and human trafficking in Indian Country and has provided peer support to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit movement leaders who are survivors. As the cases of murdered and missing Indigenous people reaches a crisis level in the U.S., Jessica will continue to increase public awareness and advocate for victims of trafficking and violence.

Renée Wachter
Chancellor
University of Wisconsin-Superior

Personal Statement

I am a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, focusing on Legal Studies and First Nations Studies. A family member told me I would never be anything more than a statistic, and for years I believed them. I was 1 in 3 Native women who have been raped, rates of violence are 10 times higher against me than the national average, and I'm a survivor of human trafficking. I overcame everything that tried to destroy me. I turned my pain into power to excel in everything I do because I'm determined to make a difference. At UW-Superior, I am a representative for Criminal Justice Legal Studies Program advisory board and a member of Native Nations Student Organization. I am a member of the Sovereign Bodies Institute (SBI) Survivor Leadership Council, SBI research assistant, and McNair Scholar. I speak nationally on issues that plague Indigenous communities and advocate for Two-Spirit sacredness. I am a volunteer legal advocate for families who have lost their loved ones to murder. I am dedicated to holding the justice system accountable, and to ensure Native people are equally represented and protected. I am a healer, protector, and dedicated to advocacy and my passion for systemic change.

Jessica Smith
Legal Studies, First Nations Studies Minor: Class of December 2021, continuing onto Graduate program Spring 2022
written 2021

2021 Fellows Alphabetical by Institution

  • a
  • b
  • c
  • d
  • e
  • f
  • g
  • h
  • i
  • j
  • k
  • l
  • m
  • n
  • o
  • p
  • q
  • r
  • s
  • t
  • u
  • v
  • w
  • x
  • y
  • z
Salma Yajaira Gómez Pineda, Universidad de Monterrey Daniel Khoshkepazi, University of Baltimore Mansi Seth, University of California Berkeley Emma Davis, University of Central Arkansas Victoria Orindas Corcino, University of Central Florida Sai Reddy, University of Cincinnati Areyana Janae-Andrea Proctor, University of Colorado Boulder Irene Soteriou, University of Connecticut Ryan Greensfelder, University of Dayton Nicole Kennedy, University of Delaware Jenny Truong, University of Denver Miguel Garcia, University of Houston-Downtown Courtney Washington, University of Illinois at Chicago Celena Zacchai, University of Maine at Augusta Brandon Reed, University Of Maine at Farmington Callie Jordan, University of Mary Washington Ayotomiwa Fashola, University of Maryland Eastern Shore Faith Davis, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Gifty Kessie, University of Massachusetts Lowell Ian Malesiewski, University of Miami Isabella DeArmitt, University of Missouri-St. Louis Mia McKinney, University of Montana Allison Hrovat, University of Mount Union Vanessa Chavez Jurado, University of Nebraska at Omaha Lauren Martin, University of North Carolina Charlotte Justin Bray, University of North Georgia Jerrell Bates, University of Northern Iowa Caitlyn Cano, University of Notre Dame Anjali Mishra, University of Oregon Alisa Ghura, University of Pennsylvania Brianna Silva, University of Richmond Kapri Tulang-De Silva, University of San Diego Jada Curry, University of San Francisco Daniela Isaza, University of South Carolina Upstate Sophia Faacks, University of St. Thomas Hannah Beauchamp-Pope, University of Wisconsin Green Bay Beth Allen, University of Wisconsin-Madison Alisson Anguiano Salas, University of Wisconsin-Parkside Jessica Smith, University of Wisconsin-Superior
  • update-img-new

    Get updates on what's new in the Campus Compact Network