Jace Jones ’21 has always worked from a baseline belief that everyone is good at their core — but sometimes, they cannot fully express that goodness. “I believe that all people have good in them and sometimes they just don’t know how to show it… [and] I try to understand the why of people’s actions instead judging them for those actions.”
After coming out as transgender in high school and experiencing personal inequities and injustices, Jace began to see his role as a social justice advocate, someone who would actively listen to those with whom he disagrees and work toward engaging in productive conversation. When he took a social work during his second semester of his first year, it was a natural academic fit for his belief in the hidden goodness of all.
When Jace arrived on campus for his first year, he was excited to explore his social identity, academic interests, and hobbies. A double major in social work and Italian, Jace became involved in several co-curriculars including Trans UNH, WildTones acapella group, WildActs Social Justice Theater Troupe, and the Italian Club. He also worked at the UNH Library at the circulation desk.
Jace’s connection to the Italian language began with family, and he picked up the language quickly. During his sophomore year he combined his two academic interests, Italian and social work, through a research project. The goal of the project was to identify and provide a solution to a social problem in Italy. Through his research, Jace learned that Italians who identify as transgender must be given an official diagnosis and be in regular psychotherapeutic treatment in order to make life-altering changes such as surgery. To lessen the financial and logistical barriers that these individuals experience, Jace’s solution was to develop a stronger telehealth culture and infrastructure in Italy. This research project exemplified the creative and solution-oriented spirit that Jace brings to much of his work.
One of the highest impact experiences Jace had at UNH was during his senior year internship with The Beauregard Center housed in the Memorial Union Building. Through education, advocacy, and community building, the Beauregard Center works collaboratively across campus to develop a campus climate that is inclusive and equitable. Jace says his internship has given him the opportunity to contribute to tangible policy reform on campus, in addition to improving his clinical skills through individual and group work.
During his time at the Beauregard Center, Jace also has acted as the point person for students to process challenging experiences they have had during the pandemic and recent presidential election. He also has been involved in larger, campus-wide projects, such as developing students’ ability to identify their pronouns on UNH’s learning management system, Canvas, and advocating for students who have changed their names to also be able to alter their student e-mail and username. Through projects like these, Jace has learned the importance of student advocacy and the power of listening to others, “The want for change is there, from both the students and administration, I just think it’s a matter of finding out how that change works.” Jace further emphasizes that trial and error, feedback, and active listening are all fundamental pieces of productive advocacy. Systemic change may not occur all at once, but continual engagement, conversation, and action can eventually lead to a change that has a tremendously positive impact on someone’s life.
This experience, coupled with his social innovation research project, have spurred him into pursing social justice policy work as a career. Although he is open to several avenues, Jace feels strongly pulled to work toward the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights.
Jace has touched several corners of the university and made the most of his experience on campus. He has excelled academically, pursuing a passion in social justice and turning it into a vocation through social work. He has explored a variety of interests in arts, culture, and language through many of his co-curriculars and his dual major. Jace has pursued many parts of his identity with equal vigor, growing and maturing into a well-rounded and highly skilled professional.
