I believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work wisely and trains my mind and my hands to work skillfully.

Small-town girl. Big ambitions. It’s a timeless tale, and Jada Neal is living it out one extra mile at a time.

Through undergraduate research and leadership roles in multiple student organizations, the bioprocess engineering senior from the tiny town of Verbena has built a personal brand out of going above and beyond.

This summer, “beyond” meant an internship in Connecticut with consumer goods giant Unilever, which offered Neal a glimpse into her dream job — starting a skin care brand.

“It was a true learning experience from start to finish and aligned with my long-term career plans,” Neal said. “I had the privilege of taking part in the research and development of new technology for hair care products and was able to present groundbreaking results.”

It wasn’t easy, but Neal said she wouldn’t have it any other way.

I have a passion for making an impact, and I try to seize every opportunity and make the most of every connection,” Neal said. “Hard work is rewarding and leaves no room for regrets, so I don’t mind going the extra mile. That mentality comes from my upbringing, and it’s been nurtured in college. Auburn has kept me challenged and provided a support network that sets me up to be a pioneer in any field.”