Meet Fresh Air Alum: Victoria Lee Jones  

Victoria Lee Jones first started her Fresh Air journey in 1997 at the age of eight when she visited the Rousell household in Malone, New York, as part of The Fund’s Friendly Towns Program. During her summer visits in upstate New York, Victoria discovered the wonders of the outdoors and returned every summer until she turned 18 years old!  

For nine summers, Victoria rode the bus from NYC to visit the Rousells. She enjoyed exploring nature with her host sister, Megan, and they bonded over their love for nature. Victoria still remembers the exciting camping adventures filled with nights looking at the stars.  

Her time with the Rousells showed her a perspective very different from growing up in Brooklyn. Victoria completed many of her “firsts” during her Fresh Air summers — like learning how to swim! 

“There’s been so many firsts, a lot of it has to do with the lifestyle of growing up in the country and growing up in the city. I had the best of both worlds – I’m a true country girl at heart. No one really knows that about me, but I got that from my time with the Rousells,” Victoria said.  

Even through Victoria’s college journey, she always stayed in contact with the Rousells. After four years of hard work, Victoria graduated with her Bachelor of Science in journalism and public relations with a minor in pre-law from Utica University.  

Victoria explored various career paths in the fashion industry after college then took a step into education and became a kindergarten teacher, and then a career counselor working with college students for a nonprofit, Bottom Line.  

In 2018, Victoria received her Master’s in Higher Education Administration from Stony Brook University. Her career transitioned as well, and she became the Associate Director of Employer and Alumni Relations at Columbia University. After almost three years in this role, she decided to transition to follow her own passion of interior design.  

In May of 2020, Victoria started her own interior design firm focused on construction management, interior design and development of her own products. Today, her company continues to grow as she builds clientele and partnerships.  

The past two years have been busy for Victoria, but she continues to connect with her second family, the Rousells. Victoria is thankful for the relationships she built through the Friendly Towns Program and looks forward to creating even more memories with the Rousell family!   

“Whether I see them very often or not, I’m very close to them. I love them and I will always be in contact with them. They will always be my second family,” Victoria shared.