Meet Our 2023 CEA Awards and Recognition Ceremony Student Speakers
This year three outstanding College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) graduates will be presenting at our Spring 2023 CEA Awards and Recognition Ceremony, Olabisi Bello (BSChE ’23), Myles Bostic (BSCS ‘23) and Marie-Chantal Nyirahategekimana (BSChE ‘23).
Through a set of broad interview questions, each of our student speakers has shared a brief account of their unique Howard University experience.
Olabisi Bello (BSChE ’23) has served in many leadership roles as a CEA student. Her most prominent and impactful roles have been executive president of the CEA Student Council (2022-2023) and president of the Howard University chapter of the Society of Women Engineers (HU-SWE) (2021-2022). She is also a member of the DC Alpha chapter of the Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society and was accepted as a Dow scholar in the Dow Scholars Undergraduate Research Experience program and as a Tau Beta Pi Scholar.
What brought you to Howard? Why did you choose Howard?
Howard University was the only school that provided me with the adequate support I needed as an incoming international student, and since my brother had recently graduated from the university, I knew from his experience that this was a wonderful institution to attend.
What sparked your interest in engineering in general and specifically in chemical engineering?
To me engineering is all about learning how to solve problems. Motivated by my upbringing in Nigeria, I wanted to become someone who was exceptional at problem-solving so that I could go back home and find a way to use my acquired skills and talents. Chemical engineering specifically gave me the opportunity to explore different career paths, particularly ones related to chemistry and mathematics, both subjects that I enjoyed.
What childhood experiences influenced your path to becoming a chemical engineer?
Funny story: When I first heard about chemical engineering at a younger age, I cringed and thought I could never see myself in a career as a chemical engineer (as described by Wikipedia and Google search results). Flash forward to the future, I'm graduating with a chemical engineering degree. I would say what changed from then to now is truly understanding the vastness of chemical engineering. I don't only have to work in plants or factories. I can do nearly anything because of my degree.
What is your most memorable experience at Howard?
I have been able to build so many precious memories here at the university, but one that does stand out on a professional level is the Gala La Bloom ceremony we executed as the CEA Student Council. This ceremony was the first annual CEA Dinner and Awards night and I hope there will be many more in the future! It was an honor during my tenure as HU-SWE president that I was able to arrange for several members, including myself, to travel to a regional conference in New York. This conference set the foundation for some of my most treasured friendships!
What keeps you motivated?
I would say the drive to become a better version of myself every semester and every new year. I want to accomplish so many goals and try out so many experiences because I know challenging yourself keeps the journey fun! I am also able to keep going through the support of my family, friends, and Allah (SWT), and without that support system, I doubt I would have made it this far.
How does it feel to be graduating?
Thrilling and relieving. I am already set on my next adventure, but I am also making sure to be fully present in these final moments as well. I am beyond grateful to everyone at Howard that helped me get to this point! Shoutout to Dr. Patrick Ymele-Leki, the chemical engineering department chair!
What's next for you?
I will be pursuing a Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Chicago! I am super excited because I hope to eventually use my skills and knowledge to lead in the world of discovering new drugs and the pharmaceutical industry both here and back home [in Nigeria].
What advice would you give to your undergraduate peers?
Don't be afraid to try out an exciting new path, no matter how late in the journey it is. This is YOUR life and your path, and you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to. You want to be excited by what you end up doing! If you decide one day that you want to use your degree to revolutionize the field of medicine or the field of agriculture or to even solve country and world conflicts, go for it! You never know what will happen! In my junior year (at the SWE conference), I learned to never limit myself and my dreams, and I'm passing on that very same advice to you all. Good luck!
Myles Bostic (BSCS ’23) served as CEA senator and as finance committee chair for the Howard University Student Association. In these roles, Bostic represented the entire CEA student body and also successfully managed and allocated $200K in funding during his tenure. In addition to serving in other leadership roles across campus, he was also selected as an Apple HBCU Scholar.
What brought you to Howard? Why did you choose Howard?
I wanted to find a community of other like-minded students who shared similar experiences. I also wanted the experience of going to an HBCU!
What sparked your interest in computer science?
I had taken some computer science classes in high school, and at the time I wanted to work in technology, so a degree in computer science seemed like the most viable degree.
What childhood experiences influenced your path to becoming a software engineer?
It’s funny because I don’t think I ever thought of myself as wanting to become a software engineer. Looking back, I always had a familiarity with and appreciation for technology. Whether that meant helping with technological appliances around my house, playing video games, or using Scratch (a basic programming language), I was always very involved with tech in different ways. It wasn’t until high school that I really started taking interest in how the appliances I had been using actually worked on a hardware and software level.
What is your most memorable experience at Howard?
Yardfest during my freshman year. The weather. The performers. Everything was immaculate.
What keeps you motivated?
The thought of providing a better future for those who come after me.
How does it feel to be graduating?
Surreal. I am definitely going to miss Howard, but I am excited for the next chapter in my life!
What's next for you?
I’ll be moving to New York this summer to work as an analyst in the security department of a banking institution.
What advice would you give to your undergraduate peers?
Howard will prepare you for the real world much better than you think. If you can do it here, you can truly do it anywhere!
Marie-Chantal Nyirahategekimana (BSChE ’23) served in various leadership roles as a CEA student, most recently serving as the president of the Howard University chapter of Engineers without Borders, a role which she says made a huge impact on how she plans to use her engineering skills. During her time at Howard, she was also an active member of HU-SWE, organized a fundraiser & panel discussion for Freedom House Detroit, was a co-creator of the Black on Black Mental Health documentary, and led the re-allocation of resource meetings with local politicians to end homelessness.
What brought you to Howard? Why did you choose Howard?
What brought me to Howard University is the need to be at a school where my race does not create inequity in what my professors expect from me. I wanted excellence to be expected from me at every step, even during times I did not necessarily believe in myself and that is exactly what I got!
What sparked your interest in engineering in general and specifically in chemical engineering?
I pursued chemical engineering while working in biomedical engineering because I wanted to contribute to decreasing diagnosis errors. I was lucky because throughout undergrad, I had the opportunity to work in research, hence gaining experience.
What is your most memorable experience at Howard?
In general, my interactions with my professors and Howard mentors have made a huge impact on the type of person I was to become. I am very grateful for their wisdom.
What keeps you motivated?
Self love. I know that I deserve an education, so I pursue it and will continue into my master’s.
How does it feel to be graduating?
Honestly, it feels like a long dream coming true.
What's next for you?
I will be working at an investment firm while pursuing my master’s degree in machine learning at Johns Hopkins University.
What advice would you give to your undergraduate peers?
I would like to tell them to change their perspective on what failure really is. Failure is when you define trying as trying. Trying actually means that you are succeeding.