-Stella Maris University 2026 Dux Keibonic Jalloh Sets Sights on Greater Heights
By Jerromie S. Walters
MONROVIA – Keibonic Princess Jalloh made history on Friday, August 28, 2026, when she graduated from the Stella Maris Polytechnic University as the dux—the highest academic honor—at its 27th Commencement Convocation. But the environmental professional refuses to rest on her laurels.
“Sometimes, you just have to be willing to work for it, stay consistent, and believe in yourself even when you’re still figuring things out. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, but I also know this is not the end. There’s still so much I want to learn, experience, and accomplish,” Ms. Jalloh told WomenVoices in an interview on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
The university awarded degrees to 679 students—461 females and 218 males—with Ms. Jalloh earning the highest academic honor among her peers. “I felt super accomplished,” she said. “All the hard work finally paid off. The late nights, the tiring days, the pressure, the struggles, and all the times I pushed myself—it all felt worth it in that moment.”
At Stella Maris, Ms. Jalloh earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, a field she initially approached as a stepping stone to medical school. “Honestly, becoming a doctor was what I originally wanted,” she admitted. “My plan was to study Environmental Science and eventually transfer to Mother Patern to pursue medicine.”
However, as she progressed through her courses, her perspective shifted. “I started to develop a genuine interest in it,” she recalled. “I began to understand how closely the environment is connected to our health, our communities, and our everyday lives. Somewhere along the way, it stopped being just a means to an end and became something I genuinely enjoyed.”
Now she envisions a future in higher education, pursuing either Public Health or Environmental Health to expand her knowledge and influence. “Right now, I work with the Ministry of Health in the Environmental and Occupational Health Unit, and I see myself growing in this field. I want to pursue higher education, either in Public Health or Environmental Health, so I can expand my knowledge and build on the experience I’m getting from my work in the years to come,” she stated.
She also aspires to contribute to policy development in Liberia. “I see myself being a great force for change. I want to take on bigger roles and be in spaces where I can have a voice in decisions that affect people’s health and well-being. I would also love to be involved in developing policies that can make a real difference in environmental and public health in Liberia,” she said.
Ms. Jalloh’s achievement comes as Liberia grapples with a significant gender gap in education. Women make up approximately 50.1% of the country’s population, yet adult female literacy rates remain between 34% and 41%. While more than half the nation is female, only about one-third to two-fifths of adult women can read and write.
Her journey to the top of her class began in Logan Town, where she grew up with her parents and siblings until age eight. Her educational foundation was laid at Solid Education School System, where she attended from daycare through fourth grade. She continued at Christiana Bedell Preparatory School for grades five through nine and Best Brains Academy for grades ten through twelve—each stage preparing her for the rigors of university studies.
Ms. Jalloh’s path was not without obstacles. She encountered a significant challenge when she took on vocational training and professional courses alongside her university workload. “At some point, I was taking on too much at once,” she confessed. “I became very stressed, and it actually got to the point where I had to go to the hospital because of the stress.”
According to her, the experience served as a critical lesson. “I realized that being ambitious is good, but you also have to know your limits,” she reflected. “I had to learn how to prioritize, manage my time better, and understand that I don’t have to do everything at the same time.”
A Call to Women
Speaking to women pursuing education—particularly in male-dominated fields—Ms. Jalloh noted, “We are achievers, no matter the criteria or the field we choose to pursue. We should never feel like there is something we cannot do simply because we are women.”
She emphasized the importance of women supporting one another. “I’m big on sharing opportunities,” she said. “Sometimes we come across a scholarship, a training, a job opportunity, or even just a simple link that we might not need ourselves, but that could mean so much to another woman. That one simple link can change someone’s life.”
Ms. Jalloh cautioned against viewing another woman’s success as a threat. “If one woman wins, we all win. When one woman gets an opportunity, breaks a barrier, or achieves something she has worked hard for, it shows another woman that it is possible too.”
For young women pursuing academic excellence, Jalloh advised making oneself visible and engaged. “Don’t just sit in the classroom and let your name be another name on the register,” she said. “Be that class representative. Be that person your friends can come to when they don’t understand something. Be willing to tutor your friends, ask questions, participate, and get involved.”
She views academic excellence as more than just grades. “It’s also about the impact you make while you’re there. Let people know what you’re capable of. Put yourself out there, take opportunities, and don’t be afraid to be seen. You never know which connection, opportunity, or impression you make along the way could open a door for you in the future.”
Ms. Jalloh reflects, “I’m just an average person who wants to excel. I’ve had my struggles, I’ve doubted myself, I’ve gotten tired, and I’ve had moments when I didn’t know exactly how things would work out. But I kept showing up and doing my best.” She added, “You don’t have to be extraordinary to achieve something great. Sometimes, you just have to be willing to work for it, stay consistent, and believe in yourself even when you’re still figuring things out.”
Stella Maris Polytechnic University, founded in 1988 and owned by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Monrovia, held its 27th Commencement Convocation on Capitol Hill. Education Minister Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah served as convocation orator and challenged graduates to use their degrees as tools for Liberia’s development.
