Jazlin Coley is a Drake University graduate, educator, and community activator who now serves as Director of the Crew Scholars Program at her alma mater. She is committed to redefining what belonging looks like in higher education and embedding identity, equity, and care into its core. Currently pursuing her PhD in Education, Jazlin’s research and practice focus on harm in belonging practices, institutional accountability, and the cultivation of spaces where students—particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, can lead and thrive.

I met Jennifer Konfrst my first year at Drake University, long before she became House Democratic Leader or a candidate for Congress. Back then, I was a first-generation college student, new to Iowa, unsure of my footing, and truthfully—unsure if I belonged. Jennifer was assigned as my faculty mentor through the Crew Scholars Program, a leadership initiative for students of color. She didn’t have to take on that role; she volunteered for it. And she showed up. Every Thursday.

Some of our meetings ran long because I was navigating personal and academic challenges and needed a space to vent. Jennifer listened without judgment, asked hard questions, and reminded me that my presence on campus mattered. She balanced humor and humility with a kind of grounded honesty that’s rare in higher education, or in politics. She saw me as a person before she saw me as a student.

When I told her I was thinking about transferring, she didn’t try to convince me to stay for the university’s sake. She helped me build a plan for how Drake could pour into me while I was there. She identified classes that reflected my identity, pushed me to apply for a Resident Assistant position so I could strengthen my campus community ties, and advocated for me to receive both academic credit and a stipend for my community engagement work. Because of her mentorship, I became an RA, switched my major to Public Relations, and earned a scholarship and academic credit that helped keep me in school.

Her care didn’t stop when classes ended. When I couldn’t afford to go home for the holidays, Jennifer invited me into her family’s celebrations. When I graduated, she found me in the crowd and handed me a small gift that read, “The adventure begins.” But the truth is, the adventure began the day I walked into her office.

Nearly a decade later, I still work at Drake University and am pursuing my PhD. I have also called Iowa home for eleven years because of the people, like her—who saw me. I’ve had mentors and colleagues since, but no one has replicated Jennifer’s mix of honesty, compassion, and conviction. She represents the kind of leadership Iowa needs: someone who sees people fully, listens deeply, and acts decisively.

Jennifer Konfrst has always shown up for Iowans—whether it’s fighting for working families, expanding healthcare access, or standing up for equality at the State House. She doesn’t chase credit; she gets results. She’s led bipartisan efforts to expand cancer coverage for first responders, remove taxes on diapers and hygiene products, and stop extremist attacks on marriage equality and child labor protections.

If you’ve ever met her, you know she’s as authentic as they come. Jennifer doesn’t perform empathy, she practices it. She’s the leader who believes in people before they believe in themselves.

That’s why I’m proud to support Jennifer Konfrst for Congress. Because she’s already been leading Iowa forward; quietly, persistently, and with heart.

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Editor’s note: Bleeding Heartland welcomes guest commentaries by any Democratic candidate running for office in 2026, or by their supporters. Please read these guidelines and contact Laura Belin if you are interested in writing.