Faces of NLU: Jamesetta Sewell
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At National Louis University, the people behind the work are every bit as important as the mission itself. This week, we're shining a spotlight on Jamesetta Sewell, Provost Office Operations Manager, whose journey at NLU is a testament to the transformative power of community, courage, and compassionate leadership.
Jamesetta didn't come to NLU as a student — she came as someone who recognized a rare alignment between an institution's values and her own. What drew her in was NLU's genuine commitment to holistic care and meeting individuals where they are — academically, socially, and emotionally — while actively working to address systemic barriers that impact underserved communities.
"I didn't just see an institution focused on education," she explains, "but a community committed to forming change-agents who lead with empathy, justice, and purpose." That distinction made all the difference.
Jamesetta's career aspiration is to serve in a leadership role that advances fairness and holistic care within educational or organizational systems — creating environments where all people, especially those from historically marginalized communities, feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. Her work on NLU's Staff Council and as co-chair of the Inclusion and Excellence Joint Governance Workgroup has been central to shaping that vision. "These roles showed me the power of shared governance," she reflects, "and reinforced my desire to lead with integrity, compassion, and a justice-oriented mindset." She has come to understand that meaningful progress happens when people are willing to listen, challenge systemic barriers, and work collectively toward more humane systems.
One of the most defining chapters of Jamesetta's time at NLU has been her role in creating the Emerging Leaders Program — a space designed to make leadership feel accessible, authentic, and encouraging. As part of this work, she had the opportunity to engage senior leaders, including President Nivine Megahed and Provost Eddie Phillips, and invite them to share their personal leadership stories. "Hearing their journeys, challenges, and growth allowed me to relate to them beyond their titles," she says. "It inspired not only my own development, but that of many staff members across NLU." This experience reaffirmed her passion for building environments that empower and uplift others.
Ask Jamesetta to describe NLU in a single word, and she doesn't hesitate: family. Her experiences collaborating across roles and levels — through Staff Council, shared governance work, and the Emerging Leaders Program — showed her that NLU is a place where people genuinely care for one another. "Creating spaces where senior leaders and staff could share their stories, connect authentically, and support each other reinforced the sense of mutual respect that defines NLU for me. NLU is not just a workplace or institution, but a community rooted in relationship, trust, and collective care."
Like many people approaching a leadership pathway, Jamesetta's biggest obstacle was internal. "For a long time, I questioned my voice, my leadership capacity, and whether I truly belonged in spaces where decisions were being made," she shares candidly. It was through her experiences at NLU that she learned to trust herself — and trust in God. Being encouraged by peers and leaders, and seeing the tangible impact of her contributions, helped her move beyond self-doubt and step more confidently into leadership. "Overcoming this obstacle has strengthened my resilience and reaffirmed my commitment to lead with authenticity, courage, and purpose."
One interaction stands out as particularly transformative. During a season of significant self-doubt, President Megahed took the time to meet with Jamesetta over lunch — gently reminding her that she was doing more than enough and encouraging her to trust the process rather than question her worth. Shortly after that conversation, Provost Phillips recommended her for her current role as Provost Office Operations Manager. "This experience reminded me that at NLU, leadership is not distant or transactional, but deeply invested in the growth, wellbeing, and potential of its people," she reflects. That moment reshaped how she views leadership entirely and solidified her commitment to extend the same care, encouragement, and belief to others that was so freely extended to her.
Jamesetta's message to anyone thinking about joining the NLU community is simple, powerful, and straight from the heart: "Do not walk, but run. This experience will change you forever!"
