VCU news

By Kelsey Claud

At 16, Jasmine Gore had plans to one day attend college and become a scientist. Now 26, Gore has achieved that dream, first graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University and then securing a job  as a technologist in a genetic sequencing lab, where she still works.

It’s her part-time job that would surprise her younger self: Gore is vice mayor of Hopewell.

Gore credits her experiences as a VCU student with leading her into a career in politics.

“VCU opened a lot of doors for me,” Gore said. “Having incredible faculty that continually provided guidance, care and great advice helped me get to where I am now.”

Karen Kester, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Biology in the College of Humanities and Sciences, met Gore in 2009 when Gore enrolled in her entomology class. Kester quickly became a mentor and friend.

Originally, Gore wanted a career that involved biology, and she even considered biosecurity, but she was always interested in law and politics, too, Kester said. Kester encouraged Gore to follow her passion for law when she was debating possible careers.

Gore’s vice mayorship and other political successes have come as no surprise to her mentor. Kester calls Gore a natural politician, in the most positive sense, because she has a genuine desire to make a difference.

“I told [Gore] ‘I really believe someday I will have the opportunity to vote for you,’” Kester said.

Gore’s father, a retired U.S. Army veteran, prompted her initial interest in politics by keeping her updated on current events in the news. During her undergraduate years, she took political science courses to foster that interest.

While at VCU, Gore was a member of the Pre-Law Society, the Black Law Student Association and the Student Government Association. On the SGA, she served as a delegate on the legislative issues and action committee.

Gore attributes most of her initial experience and knowledge in politics to internships she had as a college student, which included the Virginia General Assembly, Chesterfield Community Corrections and various governmental agencies.

“My internships, especially the General Assembly, opened my eyes to politics and how things work,” Gore said. “I remember thinking ‘I should run for office. This is what I really want to do.’”

Gore graduated from VCU in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry and a dual degree in political science with a concentration in government.

Gore didn’t waste any time entering politics. She became a Hopewell City Council member in November 2012 when she won the election to represent Hopewell’s Ward 4. City council was the appropriate next step for her political career and fit with her dream of serving in local government.

As the youngest and only new council member, Gore supported the bid by fellow members for her to become vice mayor. She accepted the position in hopes of improving council communications – both between council members and with the community at large.

“[Being vice mayor] is proving to be a strong foundation for my future due to the hands-on work experience I am gaining,” Gore said. “However, it can be overwhelming because I have to play catch-up often. It is extremely stressful because, since I am younger, at times it is hard to gain the respect of people who have worked in local government longer than I have been alive.”

Balancing her work as a technologist with council responsibilities is chaotic. She works full-time hours in the lab, while spending much of her free time on council duties, such as twice-monthly council meetings, local events, and the meetings of council-appointed boards, commissions and authorities – not to mention the research and other preparation that is necessary. Even finding a job in the science field that correlated with her council schedule was difficult, but she said she is grateful for family and friends that understand and support this new, busy lifestyle.

Adding to recent accomplishments, Gore was selected as a fellow of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials Foundation in 2013. The NBC-LEO Foundation supports and conducts nonpartisan research, activities and training to promote African-American political participation at the local level. The fellows program is designed to strengthen leadership and networking skills for elected officials in diverse communities.

Gore plans to pursue higher offices at both state and federal levels, but knows science will always be a part of what she does. Finding a balance between her two passions – politics and science – is important to her and she hopes to be able to bring aspects of science into public service.

“I will run for a Virginia state seat and hopefully can be the first female governor for Virginia,” Gore said. “However, ultimately, I would love to serve in Congress or be the president of the United States. If I don’t make it there, it would be a dream of mine to work for the president and to live in D.C. – just the thought is exhilarating.”

Subscribe for free to the weekly VCU News email newsletter at http://newsletter.news.vcu.edu/ and receive a selection of stories, videos, photos, news clips and event listings in your inbox every Thursday. VCU students, faculty and staff automatically receive the newsletter.