See how Sydné Jackson, Millonzi Distinguished Honors Scholar, is achieving her dreams at UB

Posted by Tim on March 16, 2022 in Academics, Honors Program Announcements

Sydné Jackson’s passion for performance shines on stage and behind the scenes, two important artistic spaces that serve as real-life classrooms for the senior theatre performance major. 

Jackson’s talents have been recognized across UB, where she holds the distinction of being an Honors College Millonzi Distinguished Honors Scholar, an award given to an Honors student in the creative or performing arts. Jackson points to her work as proof of her accomplishments. “[My friends and family] see the work I’m doing, and they know I’m doing well. That’s how you can feel the excellence at this school—your work does the talking for you.”

In her time at UB, Jackson has acted in front of live and virtual audiences, co-directed Dominique Morrisseau’s Pipeline, a play about the school-to-prison pipeline, written TV episodes for class and worked as an extra on popular TV shows like “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “Gossip Girl.” In fall 2021, Jackson was part of a select group of students who participated in Grandmaster Flash’s Artist-in-Residence program, an experience she describes as a “top moment” for her at UB. She credits the support she has received at UB as the key to making these experiences possible.

“I’ve made my goals bigger because I know I have friends at UB who will help me take risks and support me in my journey,” she says.

Originally from Queens, NY, Jackson has found community in every corner of UB, from her supportive professors to the tight-knit Honors College and friends she affectionately describes as “her type of weird.” She especially notes the strong connection she has with Black students in the theatre and dance department and within the Honors College: “Our shared experiences have made it very easy to lean on each other.”

This sense of belonging has allowed Jackson to carve out the space needed to cultivate her identity as a performer, writer, director and leader at UB. In 2020, Jackson started Dreams Affirmed, a group formed to address and acknowledge the experiences of students of color within UB’s theatre and dance department.

Now an officially recognized student club, Dreams Affirmed provides a space for performers of color to create and share experiences. “Being able to talk and work freely and have community is something my friends and I have wanted for a long time,” Jackson, who now serves as the club’s president, says of its impact. “Being able to have it now and for future students is priceless.”