December 2, 2021
Graduating this semester with a Bachelor’s in Individualized Studies and a minor in Marketing, international student Jack Sharman-Dodd has succeeded at Shawnee State University both on the soccer field and in the classroom. Hailing from Milton Keynes, England, he has worked hard to represent his home country and the SSU international student program well.
“I have worked very hard to get where I am,” said Sharman-Dodd. “I have a 3.8 GPA, and that represents all of my hard work and any barriers I’ve had to overcome. I am so grateful I ended up at Shawnee State University.”
Originally transferring from a community college in New York, Sharman-Dodd ended up at SSU when offered an athletic scholarship to join the Men’s Soccer program, something his prior school was not able to offer to him. The SSU Center for International Programs & Study Abroad assisted in his process of transferring and throughout his time on campus, he was able to make many connections and memories that he is thankful for.
“My favorite memory at Shawnee State was our soccer game against Life University last year,” he said “We defeated them four to one. Eli, my teammate, scored an amazing goal. The whole team rallied and celebrated together. Our team has a bond that is so special. My teammates honestly became my brothers.”
After graduation, Sharman-Dodd plans to return home to England and work for an agency that serves as a pathway for soccer players to study and play soccer abroad in America – the same agency that first helped him find his way to the United States years ago.
“The people from the agency that helped me get to America made the process so easy,” he said. “They made me feel confident in going to another country, and I wasn’t as nervous. I want to be able to provide this type of experience for other students like me. This is how I want to make a difference in my life.”
To learn more about international student programs and opportunities at Shawnee State University, visit shawnee.edu/cipsa.