We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Lessilee Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Lessilee, how does your business help the community?
Camden University is a powerful solution for individuals seeking to expand their professional career span and their current business opportunities. Camden’s model is powered by a 100% on demand, on-line learning platform that presents real-time and relevant resources to our students. One of the many things that sets us apart the most is the fact that we have strong, real-life professionals and experts presenting the content; The courses are not presented with just textbook or historical knowledge, but rather information to be used in the now. When you have individuals with years of experience and expertise, it allows room for undiscovered nuggets and sometimes hidden truths that can be shared on deeper levels. In this day and age, that’s what we need in society. One of Camden’s specializations is in the area of professional certificates. Right now, employers are reaching for individuals who have solid skill-sets and strong experiential knowledge bases —rather than academic information solely. With that, the professional certificate has become more in demand than ever! Camden offers various executive, graduate, and complete professional certificates that would catapult anyone into their next level of reach for expansion. Some of the certificate programs include a graduate certificate in Executive Leadership, a certificate in Collaborative Teams & Leadership Strategies, an executive certificate in Organizational Leadership, and an executive certificate in Business Administration. For those who are seeking fundamentals for business or entrepreneurship, we also have professional certificates in the areas of Essentials for Business Dynamics, as well as Personal & Career Development. We are interested in equipping individuals with knowledge that will help them move forward in a stronger way, in whatever they do.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Through Camden, I have embraced the commitment to serving others by way of education on a much greater level. We are set apart by our ability to not only help to academically enrich and strengthen those who attend, but to also impact society. We are committed to being a bridge between the institution and the community. As a whole, we believe strongly in partnerships with other organizations and building community relationships. We are highly dedicated to giving back to others. On a personal note, I believe what sets me apart from others is my heart for people. With all the mechanics that come along with any operation, it can be so easy to simply go through the motions. Yet, it is important to maintain your heart for humanity, the human experience, and to connect on a personal level with others somehow. Every person you touch is a life and a story yet unfolding. We must always remember that as professionals. I got where I am today through the path of endurance. Endurance is one of the strongest characteristics one can employ while embracing the building process. Easy? No. Worth it? Yes. Pressing through some of my hardest challenges rather than losing momentum has been one of things I believe that has built me the most…and I embrace it. One of the greatest lessons that I have learned along the way is that you can’t always predict life. You can have everything “figured out”, only to find that there was something that you didn’t expect or figure out beforehand. Sometimes there are stones left unturned, but you must learn to flow with the tides of life— having faith that all things will work out for good in the end. I would like the world to know that there is always more than one avenue to accomplish a thing. Working with Camden is proof that innovation is the starting point for greater things, simply by taking something that works and reinventing it for the sake of creating more impactful opportunities.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
THE BEACH of course! We have so many beautiful beach areas in south Florida, so that would be the first stop. South Florida is so culturally rich and diverse that there is so much to share! From food to art, there is so much to experience! West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami Beach all have some of the greatest eateries. A few seafood spots would definitely be on the itinerary, and then on to some shopping and spa treatment. The Lapis Spa at the Fontainebleau in Miami happens to be one of my all time favorites!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family has been amazingly supportive on my journey, along with my mentors and friends. One of my most impactful mentors is Dr. Jason H. Jackson of The Jackson Global Initiative. He has been a great example and inspiration to me. Also, Dr. Verna A. Barrow-Bugg of The Barrow Transformative Coaching Institute and Dr. Jerome Symonette— who has been a mentor to me since college. I also have to thank my good friends Syheita K. Rhoden, Marcus A. Prince, Esq., Kashonda Lynn Carter, Esq., Natalie R. Jackson, Brandon Knight, and Nicole Lovett for all of their love and support over the years. Each of these individuals have challenged and encouraged me in unimaginable ways. I would like to dedicate my Shout Out to the members of The Lion’s Den Missions Base, a volunteer and community service organization in Fort Lauderdale, that have become family to me. I am grateful for each one of them. In addition, I have to give a Shout Out dedication to Willuance Mesalien and the students/mentees of The Will Make It Enrichment Program— a scholarship and student success program in Broward county. I look forward to great things from these young scholars!

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