Long-time staff member demonstrates authenticity in support of students

Above: Beloved long-time staff member Marchelle Jarrett-Thomas sits at her desk in the Charles S. Smith Hall College of Business at Central State University. Her parents, Robert and Lillie Mae (Peterson) Jarrett, are pictured in the background.

As April approaches, the Central State University community is preparing to bid farewell to a beloved member, Marchelle Jarrett-Thomas, administrative coordinator for the College of Business (COB).  

For years, she has been an integral part of the COB and many other areas of the University, inspiring countless students and colleagues with her warmth and authenticity. 

On April 17, Thomas-Jarrett will be leaving CSU and officially retiring on May 1. But her legacy will live on, as she has touched the lives of so many on campus who will undoubtedly go on to make incredible impacts on the world. 

Jarrett-Thomas first joined Central State in 2010, and although she left for a few years, she knew she had to come back. What brought her back home to CSU?  

"My heart. I love Central," she said. "It's so family oriented. The students are good kids and very mannerable.”

It's easy to see why the students adore her. Whenever a student got into trouble, they would go to Jarrett-Thomas for guidance and support. And with her infectious laughter and kind words, Jarrett-Thomas has become a cherished member of the CSU family. 

Grandma Jarrett, as she is affectionately known, has been a beacon of hope for students at Central State University. She has given her time, talents, and even her hard-earned money to help students who could not afford to continue their studies. Her kindness and generosity have made a huge impact on the lives of many students.  

When she returned to Central State after a brief hiatus, she was saddened to discover that some students were struggling to make ends meet. But Grandma Jarrett wasn't going to let that happen. She worked out a plan with her supervisor to quietly give to the students' education, and even paid for some students' caps and gowns so they could graduate.  

For Grandma Jarrett, helping students is personal. She thinks about her own children and how she would have wanted someone to help them at college if they were in need. She believes in the golden rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," and lives by it every day. Through her strong faith and unwavering commitment to helping others, Grandma Jarrett has become a true inspiration to all who know her.  

Jarrett-Thomas has dedicated her life to helping others. She is proof that one person can make a difference and change the lives of many. Starting as an administrative coordinator with the dean of students, she has worked in various departments at Central State, including the Office of the Dean of Students, Residence Life, and the former Department of Accounting and Finance in the College of Business.  

Her journey eventually led her to work with the current College of Business Dean, Dr. Fred Aikens. When Aikens took the helm in the COB, she called to congratulate him, saying, “I wish nothing but the best for you.’ He is a great guy,” she said. “And he said, ‘I’m going to have the best. I want you to come back and work for me.’” 

At the time, Jarrett-Thomas was preparing to retire. At Aikens’s request, she stayed, accepting the role she enjoys today.  

Aikens said Jarrett-Thomas has ensured a smooth operation of the College of Business. 

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“Her laughter brightens the office, and her positive attitude and strong interpersonal skills create a warm and welcoming environment,” Aikens said. “Whether assisting faculty members, organizing events, or liaising with students, she approaches each task with enthusiasm and professionalism. 

“In her role as an administrative coordinator, Ms. Marchelle embodies the qualities of integrity, and adaptability that are essential in a dynamic academic setting. Her commitment to excellence and her ability to multitask efficiently make her an indispensable member of the College of Business at Central State University.” 

Aikens recalled Jarrett-Thomas encouraging and motivating him when he was an adjunct faculty member. “She continues to do so today. She is a sound, knowledgeable, and reliable voice, providing advice in personal as well as professional matters. Ms. Marchelle is also a mentor and nurturer for the students in the college as well as a mother figure for many. I am proud to have worked with Ms. Marchelle, and I am a better person for having had the privilege.” 

Jarrett-Thomas has a long-standing connection with CSU; while some students are her “honorary grandchildren,” her family has a long tradition of being Marauders. Many of her cousins have attended and worked for the University. Moreover, one of today’s students is especially close to her — Mister CSU Stephon Thomas, who happens to be one of her daughter's sons.  

Thomas said he has witnessed first-hand the impact his grandmother has had on others, but she also served as a “beacon of love and support in my life.” 

“Her unwavering presence and willingness to lend an ear or offer guidance made her more than just a grandmother to me — she became my world,” Thomas said. “Each day, without fail, she’d reach out, checking on me, ensuring I was OK. Even when I didn’t reach out sometimes, she sensed when something was amiss, gently probing, ‘Stephon, Nana hasn’t heard from you, baby. Is everything alright?’ Her concern and warmth were priceless gifts I wouldn’t trade for anything.”  

Despite facing personal challenges, Jarrett-Thomas never stopped working toward her goals. Two years ago, she quit classes at CSU so she could care for her aging parents. Tragically, her father passed away in October of 2017, and her mother followed him just a year later, after being together for 67 years. During this difficult time, Jarrett-Thomas rekindled her relationship with her ex-husband, and they have been together for five years since he asked her to marry him on a church napkin.  

The women who have inspired Jarrett-Thomas include two renowned poets, Nikki Giovanni and Maya Angelou. Her mother, Lillie (Peterson) Jarrett, and her aunts also made invaluable impacts on her life.  

“I’ve been inspired by my aunts who never got an education, but raised their families,” Grandma Jarrett said. “My mother was it. When I didn’t think I could, she said I could. She would always tell me, ‘Marchelle, your life is your future, and what you do now is what you’ll do at the end.’ She taught us how to give willingly, not begrudgingly. She would say that if you give begrudgingly, there is no blessing. 

“My mother also taught me to always be myself, no matter who liked it or who didn’t,” she continued. “She said you should never portray yourself as someone that you’re not. For the most part, I think I’ve been myself.” 

To Thomas-Jarrett, working for a Historically Black University has meant “everything.” Her passion for education and helping others is evident in the way she approaches her work. She is an inspiration to many, and her dedication to Central State University is nothing short of admirable. 

Marisa Hicks, a graduating senior, said Grandma Jarrett has made an incredible impact on her college experience and her life.  

“There are many beautiful women on our Central State campus, and there many women who helped me through my college journey here at Central State University for all four years of my college career,” she said. “The woman who has had me through all my years here is Mrs. Marchelle Jarrett-Thomas.”  

Hicks met Jarrett-Thomas in the spring semester of 2022. “During that time, I was having a few setbacks. I was in my sophomore year, and I often asked people whom to go talk to and to express myself. Some students said Mrs. Jarrett. Mrs. Jarrett is the person I can trust and talk to whenever I have good news and when I'm having a bad or exhausting day.” 

Hicks said her relationship with Jarrett-Thomas reminds me of her relationship with her own grandmother, who passed away when Hicks was in high school.  

“It was hard for me because (we) had a close bond with each other. Every time I talked to Mrs. Jarrett, she reminded me of when I always talked to my grandma and how she was always supportive of me. I always told Mrs. Jarrett that she was my second grandma or my college grandma. I love that I have had a close and good bond with her from my sophomore year of college to my last semester of college. One thing that Mrs. Jarrett always told me to help me pursue my career is to keep going and do what’s best for (me) and my life.” 

Jarrett-Thomas has always gone above and beyond her calling, her grandson said.  

“She doesn’t settle for mediocrity; instead, she pours her heart into everything she does, leaving a lasting impression on countless lives at Central State University,” Mister CSU said. “The title of ‘Grandma’ isn’t just a label; it’s a testament to her unparalleled kindness and support, echoed by everyone who’s had the privilege of knowing her.”  

His grandmother played a pivotal role in shaping Thomas’s journey at CSU.  

“During a challenging period in my senior year of high school, she saw potential where I saw uncertainty, guiding me toward a brighter path. Her encouragement pushed me to step out of my comfort zone, dive into student organizations, and reap the countless rewards — both personal and academic,” he said.

“Thanks to her influence, I achieved milestones I never thought possible, culminating in being named the 16th Mister Central State University and enjoying a fulfilling college experience. Her unwavering belief in me transformed my outlook, driving me to strive for excellence in every facet of my life." — Stephon Thomas, Class of 2024 

“To my dear grandma, if you’re reading this, know that mere words could never capture the depth of my gratitude for your boundless love and support. While our journey together continues, I want to take this moment to express my profound love and appreciation. Your presence in my life is a blessing beyond measure, and I'm eternally grateful for the opportunity to call you my grandmother. May your retirement be as enriching and fulfilling as the impact you've had on countless lives. With all my love, Stephon.”