From Perseverance to Paying It Forward: Tracey Jordan’s Journey

Tracey Jordan’s ’00 story begins with hardship, but perseverance defines it.

Tracey grew up in Hamilton, Ohio, in the 1970s. When she was five, her mother died. Her father, a hardworking man who never had the opportunity to finish junior or senior high school, raised her and her siblings in a close-knit Black community with limited resources, but endless support. Neighbors, church members, educators, and extended family stepped in to guide the family, reinforcing values of faith, dignity, respect, education, and hard work.

Those lessons shaped Tracey’s determination to succeed. At 17, while working at McDonald’s, Tracey faced a challenge that might have discouraged many young employees. Because she struggled with communication, managers often reassigned her away from the front counter during busy shifts. Instead of giving up, she chose discipline over doubt. One evening, she stood in front of her bedroom mirror and practiced greeting customers until her confidence grew. The next day, she returned to work poised to succeed—an early step in her lifelong commitment to growth.

In 1987, Tracey moved to Germantown, Maryland, married a U.S. Navy serviceman, and began raising a family. Military life soon took her to Yokosuka, Japan, where she welcomed her second daughter and learned to navigate life far from home. While raising her family, she never let go of her goal to pursue higher education.

In 1999, Tracey enrolled at Montgomery College’s Germantown Campus to study business administration. Starting with noncredit English and math courses, she built the foundation she needed to reach her goal. She transferred to Strayer University, earning both a bachelor’s in human resource management and a master’s in management.

Her education launched a 35-year federal career, including 12 years with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, where she supported multimillion-dollar budgets and initiatives to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.

Today, Tracey continues to invest in others—as a Distinguished Toastmaster, founder of Jordan Professional Development Consulting Services, and substitute teacher in local public schools. Through a philanthropic gift to Montgomery College, she now helps ensure more women have access to education and opportunity, proving that perseverance transforms one life and generosity opens doors for many more.