Jena Howie

Nolia Coin

Master of Science in Community Development

Graduated, 2021

Jackson, MS

Jena Howie believes deeply in the great potential and goodness of the world and all its people. She values positivity, sustainability, and hard work, and is passionate about ensuring all children have opportunities to explore their ideas and dreams. Originally from Corvallis, Oregon, Jena later moved to Godley, Texas before starting seventh grade. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Baylor University in Waco, Texas.

Jena served as a Teach For America corps member from 2016 to 2018 in Yazoo City, Mississippi, where she taught and helped develop the school’s journalism program during her third year. She is a positive and outgoing leader who thrives on community energy, now living in Jackson, Mississippi.

Project: Magnolia Coin

Her Social Entrepreneurship project, Magnolia Coin, was designed to incentivize positive academic achievement and exemplary behavior through an educational currency that students earn for leadership and effort. Magnolia Coin connected students with local businesses, artists, musicians, and athletes by awarding “coins” redeemable for unique community experiences, encouraging students to invest in both their academic success and their community.

From the start of her fellowship in 2016, Jena engaged deeply with students, parents, school leaders, and business professionals to shape the Magnolia Coin pilot. She developed branding, launched social media, and piloted the project at Smilow Prep in late 2017. By 2018, she was actively sharing Magnolia Coin with the broader community through events like the Jackson Gumbo fundraiser.

Looking ahead

Today, Jena serves as the Vice President of Community and Economic Development at Hop Enterprise Corporation in Jackson, MS. Her early focus on community partnerships and student empowerment continues to shape her work supporting sustainable economic growth and opportunity creation across Mississippi. Though no longer running Magnolia Coin, her commitment to building strong community connections remains central to her mission.