Jesenia Xiong
Originally from St. Paul, MN, and raised in Granite Falls, NC, Jesenia “Jess” Xiong is a first-generation college student majoring in biology on the pre-optometry track. She aspires to continue her education in optometry school, earn her Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree, and pursue a career as a licensed optometrist. Through her career, Jess hopes to give back to her community by helping others and providing compassionate, quality eye care.
At UNC Charlotte, Jess brings leadership, compassion, and a genuine passion for helping others into her involvement on campus. She serves as a student ambassador for the Honors College, where she represents the honors community and helps foster a welcoming environment for current and prospective students. She is also a peer tutor with the University Center for Academic Excellence, where she finds joy in supporting her peers and helping them build confidence in their academic abilities. Taking her passion for mentorship a step further, Jess also serves as a teaching assistant, where she guides students through their coursework and provides support to help them succeed.
Jess looks forward to embracing new academic challenges while building meaningful connections with fellow leaders and community advocates. Beyond her studies and campus involvement, she finds balance and creativity through her hobbies, including playing tennis, reading, dancing, baking, and planning events. She is always looking for new ways to bring people together and create meaningful experiences for those around her.