Jieny Dour

Jieny Dour is a senior majoring in Political Science with a concentration in international relations and minoring in Pre-law and Sociology. Jieny was born in South Sudan but grew up in Buffalo, New York. Jieny runs the club Afrobeats, teaching dance to other students. She ran on the Cross Country team from her freshman through her junior year.

Jieny and her family came to the United States in 2000; as a result, to escape the war in Sudan. She is the second youngest of seven children, and she and her family are still close to their African roots and culture. She founded Afrobeats as a way to connect her culture to Mercyhurst. The club teaches dances from different cultures, helping bridge the gap for students wanting to learn about different genres of music and ethnicities.

Jieny did not run in high school; she played basketball. She wanted to remain active, so she decided to join the Cross Country team. Her senior year, she chose not to continue to run so that she could focus on her academics. She still socializes with her former teammates and finds ways to stay active.

Before Mercyhurst, Jieny attended a trade school, receiving a degree in criminal justice. While going to school as a student-athlete and trade school, Jieny also helped her mother with the daily chores around the house. Her culture values respect and hospitality, so Jieny was taught to be respectful and courteous to guests and anyone she meets. Jieny's culture also valued Earth, and this led to Jieny's become an environmentalist. As an environmentalist, Jieny advocates for the protection of Earth and animals, she's still an advocate for Mother Earth. She fights for the protection and preservation of the Earth and all its living creatures.

As well as being an environmentalist, Jieny is also a humanitarian and hopes to incorporate it into her career. Jieny wishes to use her degree as a way to help those less fortunate and push for equality. Jieny isn't afraid to fight for what she believes is right because her mother told her always to be proud of what she stands for.

- Isabel C. Merriman

Leya Belnavis

Leya Belnavis is a senior from Kingston, Jamaica majoring in Psychology with a minor in Criminology. She is involved with several clubs on campus, including Psych Club and Afrobeats.

She is a massive Harry Styles fan and has seen him in concert once, and she plans to attend more concerts. Not only does she love Harry Styles, but she also enjoys music in general, especially the musician Halsey. She will often sing along to any music that she listens to; she grew up singing and playing the piano.

She is addicted to coffee, and she drinks at least two cups a day, usually more. She also enjoys tea as well; she grew up putting milk in her tea. She also loves french fries with a dying passion, ginger ale, and any form of sweets.

Leya also enjoys animals, especially pets like dogs, and cats and cannot watch a movie when an animal is harmed most slightly. She will refuse to watch a film or scene if it has anything to do with harming animals.

She is also very family-oriented, she contacts her family daily back in Jamacia, the states, and in England. Leya is the youngest of three siblings, but she only recognizes two of her siblings. Her sister named Jordan or Jordy is married with a child living in Atlanta, Georgia. Her brother Jared and his girlfriend live in Aylesbury, England.





Leya wants to get her masters in counseling because she likes to listen to people's problems and offer advice. In high school, her classmates would often go to her for her guidance. So, she found a calling for pursuing phycology as a career.

- Isabel C. Merriman