Georgia State’s Professor Judiffer Pearson Is Literally Changing Lives and Creating Priceless Memories for Students Apart of Her Study Abroad Program.

Being a vessel in the education system means dedicating your time, energy, and life to being a service to others. Every year we hear how schoolteachers are using their own money to purchase items for the classroom or going the extra mile for their students doing something that is not covered in their salary. For University and further education institutions, having committed Professors who are enthusiastic about teaching is not only commendable but imperative in today’s learning experience. Today, information has become free to read on the internet and Ai programs can ChatGPT whatever thesis or homework assignment you need. It’s no secret that there have been talks about our next wave of medical professionals using this software to get through their schooling. Within the next few years, who’s to say certain Universities won’t replace human teachers with Ai computers in the classroom.

That would be a real-life horror story, and parents should speak up now about the importance of celebrating those individuals who actually still go above and beyond. Teachers who show -up when they have their own problems at home, who answer emails during their off hours to get back to an anxious student, and who will go the furthest teaching past the curriculum are Angels walking on the earth today.

As a student, someone eager to learn and passionate about my work, I applaud those who take their job seriously. I brag often about how Georgia State University has changed my life for the better. When I started, I didn’t have much direction or organization in my career. In short, I was a girl with a camera. I did interviews. There was no reason behind it. My first professor in my freshman year Communications course told me that no newsroom would ever hire me because I was 5 minutes late for her class. I will never forget it. I tightened up so fast. Her extremely strict teaching methods pushed me to learn more and soak up as much training as possible in the Journalism industry. By the end of that very semester, I had finished a short internship under Emmy winning journalist Jovita Moore, interned for the Atlanta Voice Newspaper, and even got published covering Donald Trump’s RX Drug Summit in Atlanta. Throughout my semesters at Georgia State each time a professor has poured into me pushing me further towards greatness. In short, attending Georgia State helped me find my purpose in life. As I wrapped up my final leg on campus I decided to do a Study Abroad program.

This brings me to the iconic Professor Pearson. Upon reading her background before taking her class immediately I was beyond proud to sit in her presence. As a Black woman striving to succeed in a male-dominated industry, I have faced numerous challenges. Observing her achievements and the obstacles she has overcome serves as a profound source of motivation for me. She is a serial entrepreneur, and creative media mogul with experience in management consulting, multimedia training, publishing, and the beauty industry. Ms. Judiffier Pearson exemplifies modern teaching in today’s classroom. She deserves a royal title because she embodies Queen energy. Her course New Ventures in Creative Media is a must experience for any entrepreneur, film, media, or art major. Not only does she run a tight ship which will sharpen your skills in your own career path overall, her own passion for doing the job speaks volumes. It was a no brainer to join her study abroad program which is a tourism course through Ghana.

“Professor Pearson made this experience the perfect balance of work and play. All of the excursions were intentionally planned and really helped when it came to planning and filming” Ayana Scott

My advice to any student thinking of enrolling in a study abroad is to be mentally prepared. At the start of the semester, I looked over the course itinerary, did some research on Ghana and became more familiar with what I was signing up for. Although there was no firsthand real briefing about the scenery, way of life, and cultural aspects to take in visiting Africa, being mentally and physically ready for the trip makes it much more manageable as a student. The 2 weeks I spent in Ghana for her program made everlasting memories I can take to my grave. The trip was meticulously curated to perfection. From visiting historical landmarks to shooting an entire short film, I experienced more in those 2 weeks then I could have imagined. Not only was she effortlessly mindful about her students learning important history lessons every day of the course, but her peers that she included on the trip were superior as well. 

Professor Dianne Ashford was everything you wanted in a teacher. Funny, personable, eager to teach and was the perfect Yin to her Yang. A media mogul in her own lane, as CEO of Symmetry Entertainment Professor Dianne provided the skills we needed to execute our film production during this course. Before embarking on the trip, we were told we would be making a short film. However, it wasn’t until we landed, sat with TD Afrique Films for our 1^st crew meeting, and woke up at dawn to be on set for a 10+ hour day that we knew we were in the lion’s den. The great news is that every student on this trip was built for this, and all had an important skill set needed for us to execute this production. With the direction of our professors and the talented Danny Damah founder of TD Afrique, this entire production whipped every student into shape in terms of getting a real taste of how life goes in the film world. Not to mention the impeccable team with TD Afrique, a progressive production company flourishing throughout Africa. Honey, I was surrounded by Black excellence, and I love that for me. We collaborated with students from the University of Ghana and were all put into organized roles for the success of this production.

“Thank you for creating a space for content creators to flourish with the work you do in GSU’s CMII department and your study abroad program in Ghana.” Osayi Igodan

The most significant thing to highlight about Professor Pearson’s course is her fine attention to teaching. In less than 3 weeks’ time we traveled Ghana to the Cape Coast Castle, Asante Village, WEB Du Bois Centre, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, Black Star Square and more. Experiencing culture shock for the first time was both enlightening and inspiring. It was enlightening to learn so much during the time abroad that I had no idea existed or happened. We learned to cook Ghanaian dishes, we danced, we ate their staple cuisine, we explored, we cried, we bonded, we looked out for each other, and we learned why Africa will always be the ‘mother land’. We walked to the Last Bath and became educated on the experiences our ancestors were horrifically faced with. I don’t want to give too much about the course because my biggest wish is for more of us from the states to travel and experience tourism in Africa, especially with Professor Pearson. Her right hand, Mr. Elvis was our tour guide who took learning 2 steps farther with his many moments of teaching us about important periods in African History literally every second he could.

“I wasn’t sure I would make the study abroad trip after not getting any scholarships. Professor Pearson encouraged me to go anyway and see what happens. I closed a big mortgage loan for a client while I was in Ghana and was able to cover all of my expenses and tuition. I left Ghana with a renewed sense of purpose and also an interest in acting should doors continue to open for me.” Daniel McMullan 

This was a life changing opportunity. Upon returning to the States I felt like the things I thought mattered no longer held the same importance. In fact, what matters most is being happy, being free, and knowing your history. While my peers in the US are paying attention to numbers, money, and the limelight, life across the seas is much less stressful and simple things make happiness for others. Since returning I have felt like my legacy and what I do on this earth matters even more. After examining the conditions of the Slave trade, including visiting areas where many individuals were restrained, it is important to use one’s life to contribute positively when many did not receive that chance. That is the biggest lesson I learned about this experience. I want to end this with a major thank you to Professor Pearson, and her committed team for exposing us to so much more past the 285 circle. There is no Ai that can replicate teachers like Professor Pearson, Dianne, Elvis Willis Bruce, or Danny Damah.

“I’m trying to preserve your experience” Professor Pearson was a Shepard for us students who were connecting back to our roots, and because of the work of her life, we were able to do so effectively and purposefully with little to no hiccups along the way. Shaun 

“Professor Pearson exposed me to a world that I never thought I could experience through this breathtaking study abroad! I am so grateful for her and everything she did for us! Vierge L

Professor Pearson poured so much heart into this trip! She made sure we were not only educated but deeply connected. Through our film work with TD Afrique and intentional moments of cultural exchange. She created a space where everyone felt seen, inspired, and proud to be a Black American woman exploring the diaspora. Senseree Scott