Lisa Nelson is a bit of an oddity.
As the first ever Hudson County-based president for the New Jersey chapter of Phi Theta Kappa – an honor society for two-year colleges – Nelson often got the sense when visiting rural locales like Salem County that she was a little out of place.
But she chalks that up to experience. Or others’ lack thereof.
“Some people have never been in the city,” the Jersey City resident and Hudson County Community College student explained recently. “They go by what they hear.”
Nelson traveled once a month to campuses around the state to give talks; she succeeded in getting several moribund chapters active again.
Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society, promotes scholarship, service and leadership.
Nelson, an aspiring doctor, recently stepped down after serving a one-year term.
“You have so much power,” she said, “you feel so good.” She is quick to note that it was important for her to use that power to “make a difference.”
She added, “When I was first elected, the first thing I thought was, ‘What the hell am I getting myself into?'”
The society does volunteer work and now, the 28-year-old mother of one must concentrate on the exam that will be her passport for a medical examiner’s license.
She said having to juggle family, school and job might dissuade people from getting involved, but to her, the matter is simple.
“The key is time management,” she said. “The Lord only blessed us with 24 hours in a day.”
That said, Nelson may have more drive than others, since she admits to getting “bored easily.”
Nelson grew up in both London and Trinidad-Tobago, and when she speaks, “can’t” becomes “cahn’t.” When she moved to Kensington Avenue in Jersey City a few years ago, where her husband lived, she needed time to acclimate herself.
“It took a while to get adjusted to the hustle and bustle,” she said.
A student at HCCC since 1997, Nelson babysat for extra money. She’s also a part of the Medical Assistant Club at school, and has helped raise money for American Red Cross and Hudson Cradle.
Though she intends to go on and get her Bachelor’s degree, Nelson hasn’t decided between medical school and a political career.
“Right now, I’d like to finish schooling,” she said. “I love politics, but politicians have such a bad reputation.”