New Graduate Balanced Education With Being State’s First Black Rodeo Queen

A typical week for the average Fulbright College student is far from reality for newly minted Fulbright College alumna Ja’Dayia Kursh, whose week is never typical and whose life is anything but average.

Kursh graduated from Fulbright College on May 13 with Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies after achieving another an extraordinary milestone: she’s the first black rodeo queen in Arkansas.

A Fort Smith, Arkansas, native, Kursh was crowned Miss Coal Hill of Arkansas in 2017. Her weeks as a student and rodeo queen found her traveling between Fayetteville and Texas, working sponsorships and photoshoots, visiting rodeos, completing classwork, studying for exams, and even hauling her own horses.

If her accomplishment and work ethic weren’t impressive enough, partnerships from Wrangler and Justin Boots and interviews on The Today Show and The Kelly Clarkson Show are evidence that this rodeo queen is still taking the bull by the horns.

“If you meet most cowgirls, they’re not really afraid of anything,” Kursh said.

As a rodeo queen, Kursh said she is an “ambassador for the rodeo,” an all-encompassing role that has her wearing many hats — cowgirl hats, that is. Raising money for the rodeo, representing the rodeo at different events, and working with kids in the community are just a few of her responsibilities.

“People don’t understand the hard work and dedication that goes into this work and industry,” Kursh said. “Statistically, I shouldn’t be this woman — growing up in Fort Smith with the circumstances I came from — but being introduced to this industry changed my whole life and gave me the freedom to feel like I can achieve anything.”

Kursh is the daughter of a single mother, and her father is in prison. As a first-generation college student, Kursh looked to her older cousin, University of Arkansas School of Law alumnus Tony Jones, who inspired her journey.

“Hearing that I helped her gives me hope to continue,” Jones said. “This goes to show that we never know who’s watching — just as I inspired her, now she is inspiring so many others, including myself.”

An interdisciplinary studies major, Kursh found, was the right choice for her wide range of interests, which led her to three areas of study: communication, journalism, and criminology.

“When I sat down with my advisor, she asked what I wanted to do, and I said ‘everything,’” Kursh said. “I didn’t even know interdisciplinary studies was an option until she told me, and I always remind her I wouldn’t be right where I am without her.”

Teresa Scott, associate director of the Fulbright College Advising Center and Kursh’s advisor, said their conversations always reflected Kursh’s commitment to her education.

“Our conversations are typically around her ambitious goals to graduate, and she’s done some cool things with her degree,” Scott said. “Crafting her own degree that works for her helps her meet her goals, and it’s been fun to work with her to see where she’s evolved as a student. Watching her grow has been really pretty fabulous.”

Scott said that students who seek an interdisciplinary studies degree or who take a non-traditional approach to their college education — like, for example, the path Kursh needed to take while being a nationally recognized rodeo queen — showcases why advising is so important.

The Interdisciplinary Studies Program, which is part of Fulbright College, allows students to choose one of two degree paths. Path one, which is what Kursh chose, consists of three thematically linked minors. Path two consists of thematically linked coursework that helps students complete their degree and is especially helpful for students “who have been in the game a long time or who were in the game long ago,” according to Scott.

With a bachelor’s degree added to her already accomplished resume and graduation behind her, Kursh plans to attend law school next with the long-term goal of becoming a criminal defense attorney.

“She’s a beacon to her community,” Jones said. “It’s hard not to be inspired by her story — in part because she has shown so much strength and resilience, especially in bringing diversity to spaces that have not traditionally been for people that look like her.”

Scott and Jones both agreed that Kursh’s drive and ambition — what Jones called “her ability to see the importance of building a life of purpose” — have built Kursh’s kinetic success and potential.

With a dynamic degree now in hand, alongside her infamous former title and indomitable spirit, Kursh is painting a bright future ahead. And Kursh — who is also determined to build a better world — said she’s ready to start right here at home.

“I know my voice matters, and I have a powerful voice,” Kursh said. “I’ve built a platform already for so many things, and Arkansas is a place where I can start.”