2026 President’s Fulfilling the Dream Award
Student
Jhaycee Barnes is a Foundation Fellow at the University of Georgia pursuing degrees in economics and political science with a minor in Spanish. As student body vice president, she has championed initiatives to make campus more affordable and accessible — lowering the minimum meal swipe requirement, securing free TopHat access and expanding programs like the Professional Clothing Closet and Fresh Express food market, which have served more than 700 students so far.
A Spring 2023 initiate of the Zeta Psi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Barnes serves as Financial Secretary and Economic Development Chair, leading programs that promote financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and community empowerment. She also served as vice president of the Black Business Student Association, where she helped launch the Keystone Fellowship supporting more than 100 students in their professional development journeys.
Barnes is the creator of “Star Girl Diaries,” a storytelling and mentorship platform with over 23,000 followers and millions of views. She is an incoming associate at Boston Consulting Group and hopes to use business and policy to drive meaningful social and economic change.