Freshman Year Reflection

Freshman Year Reflection

First, I would like to thank the Louie F. Cox Memorial AK Steel Foundation and the Middletown Community Foundation for their continued support as I pursue my education. My first year at Case Western Reserve University has been incredible and I found many opportunities to grow academically, spiritually, and socially. During my first few weeks on campus, I joined the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and also earned a seat on the executive board as membership chair. NSBE has allowed me to enhance my networking skills, advocate for diversity, and engage with the campus community. I also mentored high school students through the NSBE Jr. program and volunteered at engineering-themed events throughout the greater Cleveland area. A major highlight of this year was attending the National NSBE Convention in Kansas City, MO and meeting Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. His advice on finding a career in Silicon Valley was especially helpful, as I declared my academic path: a double major in computer science and business management (with a specialization in supply chain management) and a minor in data science.

My professors and advisors have been phenomenal throughout my academic journey, and they are genuinely interested in my

future and my success. In April, I was nominated for the Celebration of Student Writing Award for Best Individual Research due to my thesis paper on modernist theatre’s impact on society. I also received the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award from the Case Western Reserve University Office of Multicultural Affairs.

Outside of the classroom, I have also found success in terms of employment.

I was hired as a campus tour guide at the end of my fall semester and really enjoy welcoming prospective students and their families to CWRU. At the end of the spring semester, I was hired as a career coach at the University Career Center. This position officially begins at the start of the Fall 2017 semester and I will help undergraduate and graduate students with interview skills and resume writing. I also assist in planning the campus career fairs and create presentations for networking workshops. This summer, I am working in Cincinnati as an intern at Northrop Grumman Xetron as part of their cyber and intelligence mission solutions

division.

I am looking forward to next semester as I become more involved with career coach position, continue my work as a tour guide, take more classes related to my majors, and serve as the Vice President of the Case Western Reserve chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers.

Additionally, my college experience in Cleveland has enabled me to become a more well- rounded person. I have had the opportunity to attend various theatrical productions, concerts, art exhibits, film festivals, book signings and charity fundraisers. I learned to longboard and to play ukulele. I met John Green (author of The Fault in our Stars) and Margot Lee Shetterly (author of Hidden Figures). In October, I met Mae Jemison (the first black woman in space and one of my major inspirations) in a coffee shop across the street from my residence hall. This year, I have made lifelong friends, received a high quality education, enhanced my leadership skills, walked in a parade, pushed for innovation, met amazing leaders, and ultimately learned that all things work together for good.

None of this would have been possible without the financial support of the Louie F. Cox Memorial AK Steel Foundation and the Middletown Community Foundation, and I am truly grateful for your efforts and all the work that you do. Thank you so much for pouring into the lives of learners—both young and old. Nelson Mandela once said “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. Thank you for giving me the chance to arm myself with knowledge so that I can prepare to tackle the major issues that affect the world today.

I am very excited to see what the next chapter holds for me. God Bless everyone who made this scholarship possible. I hope that someday I can better someone’s life in the same way you have bettered mine.