By Mike Finney

DOVER — The joy of the moment manifested itself in a huge smile on Jewel Phillips’ face and a complete feeling of happiness when her mother, Kimberly Deal, placed the Miss Delaware State University crown atop her head.

It was a historic moment for Ms. Deal and Ms. Phillips, as they become the first mother-daughter pair to both capture the honor of being named DSU’s campus queen when Ms. Phillips was crowned during the Delaware State University Coronation Ceremony on Oct. 16.

“My reaction when I won, it just felt like a full-circle moment,” Ms. Phillips said. “I’m very big on just manifesting. I already had been telling myself I already won, it’s already mine, and then to hear it actually come to reality, all I could do was just thank God, thank my school, and be happy.”

Ms. Deal, now an attorney in New Jersey, was the 1986-’87 Miss Delaware State College – a distinction that also made the 2021 Coronation the first time a mother placed the DSU queen’s crown on her daughter’s head.

“It’s been a surreal experience for both of us,” said Ms. Phillips, who became the 65th Miss DSU. “My mom always says she always had that plan for me, even though she never really pushed me into this position. I knew I wanted it for myself.

“So, for us to have the same kind of goals, and the same passion for DSU is just amazing and incredible to both of us, because that’s what attracts you to attend Delaware State.”

The 2021 coronation was entitled “Oz – The Golden Legacy,” which opened with an onstage conversation between Ms. Phillips and her mother, followed by dance segments featuring DelState’s I-Step dancers, and the male and female Royal Court members – including Ms. Phillips and Jason Smith, who was named Mr. DSU.

In the spring, Ms. Phillips ran for DSU Campus Queen on her platform D.N.A. (Delaware State Nationally Advancing), which represented raising expectations for DSU students, putting core values of the campus at the forefront, and building a bridge for others to realize their dreams.

She is a senior mass communication major who is pursuing a concentration in public relations and advertising. She is a native of Mount Laurel, New Jersey.

Ms. Phillips, who has maintained a 3.8-grade point average throughout her academic journey, is also quick to point out that the position of Miss DSU is not like being named a homecoming queen in high school.

“It’s not really homecoming queen, it’s Ms. Delaware State University,” she said. “So, I am an official representative of the school. We just attend the homecoming.

“The homecoming queen is more like high school, but DSU is like the Miss of the entire school – you’re the lady of the university. So basically, yes, (my mother and I) did talk about it.”

Ms. Phillips sees herself as a natural fit as Miss Delaware State University. After all, she is following in the footsteps of her mother, who was the 30th Miss DSU.

“I have been going to DSU’s homecomings and DSU’s events since I was in middle school … for the longest time,” she said. “But what really attracted me about the school is the amount of organization and the scholarships they give. They gave me a full scholarship. And I knew this was the right choice.

“This school means everything to me. I have learned so many different skills. I learned about building relationships. I learned about confidence and getting myself out there.”

Being named Miss DSU was the crowning jewel of Ms. Phillips’ collegiate experience, after she was named freshman class president, Miss Sophomore, Force Minister Recording Secretary and a member of the Campus Activities Board and a number of other organizations.

One thing is certain, Ms. Phillips is extremely proud of her place at the university and the direction the school is heading.

“One of my first friends at the school was actually (former schoiol president) Dr. Wilma Mishoe,” said Ms. Phillips. “She was the president at the time. So, after she had left the university, I am so proud of the direction that this school continues to go. We are the first college to buy another school (Wesley College). We’re the first HBCU (historically black college and university) to buy a PWI (predominantly white institution), so I think that is a huge deal for the overall HBCU community.

“So, I’m very happy with the direction. I think that the president (Dr. Tony Allen) we have has great leadership abilities. And I think the students are having a great time and we’re building a family … we’re building a network and a family together.”

As Ms. Phillips is winding down what has been a memorable time at DSU, she also has her eyes focused firmly on the future — one in which she is aiming for as much success as she has experienced during her four years at the Dover campus.

“I would like to go straight into work at a Fortune 500 company,” said Ms. Phillips, who also has future plans to author a children’s book that targets African American girls.

“I’ve already been doing (job) interviews, putting interest out there for what I want to do. I would like to work in sales or marketing. So, that’s what I’ve been working on now.

“I’m definitely in the interview storm right now, but I’m very hopeful for my future. My options are open. Right now, I love to see where the world takes me. I didn’t think I’d be in Delaware for college. So we’ll see where I’ll be with my full-time job.”