ST. PETERBSURG — As a second-year accounting major at the University of South Florida, Jessie Jiang is grateful for the opportunities that have shaped her educational journey.
A recipient of the Ellen Cotton Endowed Scholarships, financial awards have played a pivotal role in allowing Jiang to focus on her studies and extracurriculars without the burden of financial stress.
Jiang grew up in Lecanto, Florida, a small town where she attended Lecanto High School and participated in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.
"It was a very small group of 40 people, and I had every single class with them every day, so we all got really close," Jiang said. "A lot of them are my best friends."
When it came time to choose a college, USF’s proximity to her hometown and the vibrant city of Tampa made it an ideal choice.
"I grew up going to Tampa almost every weekend, so I loved the city," she said. Initially, Jiang had applied to USF’s Tampa campus but was assigned to the St. Petersburg campus due to space limitations.
"At first, I was like, 'Oh my gosh, all of my friends are going to Tampa, and I’m the only one going to St. Pete,'" she recalled. "But everything happens for a reason, and I’m really glad I ended up here. The professors and faculty are amazing, and I’ve made so many connections."
Jiang's initial struggles with adjusting to campus life were difficult. "I made zero friends my first semester and was so discouraged that I went to the financial aid office in tears," she admitted.
"They introduced me to peer coaches, who encouraged me to stick it out and try campus life. It was rough, but eventually, I made friends, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions."
A turning point
The turning point came when one of her professors, Mike Sinclair, a senior instructor who taught financial accounting, encouraged the class to form study groups.
"I was so relieved because I had wanted to make friends, but nobody wanted to talk to me at first," she said. "We formed a study group, and that's when I met some of my first close friends."
Scholarships have been life-changing for Jiang. Without the financial burden, she has been able to fully immerse herself in campus life.
She received the Ellen Cotton Endowed Scholarship for both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years. She was also awarded the Green to Gold Grant, an admissions scholarship, and additional federal and state funding, covering her full tuition.
"Thanks to the scholarships from Ellen Cotton and Kate Tiedemann, I am on a full ride," Jiang said. "They didn’t specify what the scholarships would cover, but between this and other USF scholarships, I don’t have to pay for anything. It's such a relief."
"Having these scholarships has allowed me to attend events, join clubs, and make connections. I would not have been able to do any of this if I had to work full-time to pay for college," she noted. She also recently got a job at the Student Success Center, though it is more about investing money than covering tuition costs.
Jiang’s parents, both small business owners, have always emphasized the importance of supporting family and their cultural values of taking care of their parents.
"My parents are constantly working hard to take care of our family, including my grandparents," Jiang explained. "So, knowing that I don’t have to burden them with tuition costs has been a huge relief. They have enough on their plate with running the business and taking care of family."
'Felt like I belonged'
Jiang’s extracurricular involvement has played a significant role in her growth. Through her professor’s encouragement, she joined the Accounting Society.
"The girls in the club were so welcoming, and I instantly felt like I belonged," she said. While she didn’t get the president position, she secured a community and events coordinator spot.
"I helped plan events and bring guest speakers from major accounting firms like the Big Four," Jiang explained.
She also joined Delta Sigma Pi (DSP), a professional fraternity that helped her make lasting connections.
"I joined DSP to network and meet people. The brothers are incredibly supportive, and I’ve made great connections within the fraternity," she said.
Looking ahead, Jiang is focused on graduating in August 2026.
"I’m excited to continue my journey at USF and take advantage of all the opportunities that these scholarships have provided me," she said. "I would not be where I am today without the incredible support of the donors and the USF community."
Cotton and Tiedemann’s generosity has transformed the University of South Florida’s Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance. Their philanthropy includes the $10 million gift that named the school in 2014, a $14 million gift for the fintech center in 2022, and other support to empower business students, faculty, and programs.
Jiang’s story exemplifies how scholarships can empower students to excel academically and engage in meaningful campus experiences. For Jiang, the scholarships from Ellen Cotton and Kate Tiedemann have made all the difference in her college journey, setting her up for success both in the classroom and beyond.