College senior creates a ‘prevention pantry’ to keep students safe in the pandemic

PHILADELPHIA – When rising senior Jasmine Mays got to thinking about returning to Villanova University this semester, the coronavirus weighed on her mind.

“I was concerned about our safety and our actual security on campus,” said the psychology major and biology minor.

But Mays being Mays, she did more than just think about it. She came up with a plan, and then she sprang into action, enlisting the help of Villanova friends and administrators. She raised money, she networked, she amassed donations.

What came out of that effort is Villanova’s COVID-19 Prevention Pantry, a free resource of cleaning and other health preservation and feel-better products for any student who requests them. Aug. 22 was the kickoff event, with 100 kits of supplies available on a first-come, first-served basis.

“I love helping people,” she said. “I always want to do stuff to help people.”

If Mays treats her accomplishment as no biggie, there are many who would disagree.

“Jasmine is a naturalborn leader,” said Stephen Koch, Villanova’s assistant director of student involvement for leadership programs. “It’s been phenomenal she’s been able to do this. She’s really paid attention to what the campus needs are.”

It’s not the first time Mays has seen a need and acted on it. Apparently, it’s just what she does.

“I was a Girl Scout growing up, and we always did service projects,” said Mays, 22. “We used to make blankets for babies. We did Thanksgiving drives and stuff like that.”

While attending West Catholic High School, she worked on service projects with the scouts and also with the National Honor Society. She especially enjoyed volunteering at St. Francis Inn in Kensington, which offers free meals to people experiencing homelessness and poverty.

“I would always be a server, because I love talking to people,” she said.

But she put a lot of time and effort into her schoolwork, too.

Mays grew up in West Philadelphia in a singleparent home. Her mother, who instilled her charitable values in her daughter, has had a long, ongoing struggle with a serious illness.

“She went through a lot and she sacrificed a lot,” Mays said, “so I didn’t want my mom to have to worry about putting me through (college). That’s why I worked really hard while I was in school.”

Mays earned two full scholarships to Villanova: the school’s merit-based Presidential Scholarship and a Gates Millennium Scholarship, which is given to outstanding students of color with significant financial need.