Nneoma Ugwu

Since graduating from Navitas, I’ve just been living my dream, quite frankly, and I’m very proud of it. 

 What Navitas college did you study at and when did you study? 

I earned my bachelor’s in Civil Engineering from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth and I started my program in 2015 and I graduated in 2019.  

 What is one of your favourite memories during your time at Navitas? 

So, I actually have two favourite memories that I want to talk about.  

 The first was the gala event that me and my cohort put together. So, we put together an end of year gala with Navitas and it was a really fun way to celebrate our different cultures, to celebrate ourselves. We had different performances, foods, drink all of that. So, that was definitely one of my favourite moments with Navitas.  

 And then my favourite moment at the university in general was actually my very last day there where I got to give the commencement speech at my graduation. And it was just a wholesome moment getting to share my personal story, my journey to and through undergrad with the audience and with my fellow colleagues. So, it was a very wholesome moment for me and just a privilege and all.  

 How has studying at Navitas made an impact on your life and that of your family?  

Navitas really made an impact on my life and on my family’s life because for me, I’m an engineer. And so we believe that one of the most important part of the building is the foundation. And to me, Navitas was that foundation into my academic journey in the US. And so it really made a big impact just having that one-on-one attention with very well knowledgeable Navitas staff.  

 Also, having peers from my own country and other countries, who were all having a similar experience, coming to a new country with the whole culture shock and all of that. So, I really had a good transitional foundation to the US, to the academic life here in the US. And so that really made an impact on me and I’m very honoured to have just gone through that.  

 And it really helped my family as far as stress relief. They were sure that I was in good hands in the US. It made a big impact on all of us.  

 What have you achieved in your life and career since graduating?  

Since I’ve graduated from the Navitas college, I’ve accomplished a lot in my life. I now have a PhD in civil engineering, which was a big feat. And to me, that really makes me proud.  

 It makes me proud that I’m now working as an engineer, you know, in the Washington DC, the capital of the US. And I just feel like I’m doing my own part to contribute to society daily and be an advocate for all the things that I believe in. Women’s empowerment is one of them, and women and an engineer, and it’s something that I’m very passionate about. Since graduating from Navitas, I’ve just been living my dream, quite frankly, and I’m very proud of it.  

 What advice would you have for new students entering a Navitas program?  

So my advice for anyone who’s joining a Navitas college is to join the clubs. Make sure you join clubs and activities. It’s a good way to meet new people. It’s a good way to have a balanced life because school can be stressful, but when you’re in a club, you’re passionate about it. It’s really a good way to have balance and it’s a good way to experience a new country, a new university through a different lens. So, either join one club or multiple clubs, whatever you’re passionate about, just make sure you stay involved.  

 Another thing that I would advise anyone who’s just starting college or going into a Navitas program is to make sure you actually have fun and enjoy yourself because you’ll be glad you did. Just take it from me.