Jess has a diverse background spanning human rights, archival preservation, and disability justice. They are currently a dual MLIS/MA student with a focus on Archives & Preservation and History at Simmons University. In 2024, they completed an M.A. in Human Rights from Columbia University, where they concentrated in Disability Justice, U.S. History, and Inclusive Education Pedagogy. At the University of Connecticut, she received a Hons. B.A. in English in 2022, where she focused on Literature, Antiracism, and Social Justice and Creative Writing.

Jess's research endeavors have led her to explore crucial topics at the intersection of history, disability, and civil rights. They work as an independent contractor and Co-Director for the Mansfield Training School Memorial and Museum, where they play a pivotal role in excavating the historical, rhetorical, and cross-institutional aspects of the Mansfield Training School (MTS) and the University of Connecticut. Through this project, Jess engages with Disability Studies scholarship, Archival Studies, and aims to shed light on UConn's historical contributions to ableist attitudes and policies through the production of a traveling museum exhibit, documentary film, and online museum while traveling to schools, conferences, and historical society to present the research team’s work.

In addition to her academic pursuits and research roles, Jess is actively engaged in various outreach and advocacy initiatives. They serve on the Coordinating Committee for the National Museum of Disability History & Culture, advocating for the establishment of a National Disability History Museum. Her commitment to amplifying diverse voices extends to her editorial roles, where she has played a pivotal role in publishing and promoting scholarship that centers on social justice and human rights. They have dedicated their free time to mentorship and community engagement by serving as a mentor for displaced Ukrainian youth through Brave Generation, providing guidance on university applications, and assisting students in achieving their academic goals.