Alumni Voices: Advocating for Change while Grounded in Community

Bronx native Umar K. is a young man with extraordinary focus and dedication to his communities. Currently a sophomore at Northwestern University and majoring in chemical engineering, Umar’s passion for creating a positive impact on people is guiding his choices in college and in life. He recently shared some of his experiences with Student Leadership Network to encourage current students to find success no matter which college they choose to attend.

How did you become a part of the Student Leadership Network?

I was born and raised in the Bronx. I’m the middle child of immigrant parents from The Gambia, a West African country. In middle school, my parents decided I should spend part of my education in The Gambia to connect to my culture. That time was really eye opening. I got to discover different parts of my cultural heritage and a slower pace of life. I also began to notice what I took for granted in the U.S., like the internet and indoor running water. It got me thinking a lot about a country’s industry and infrastructure, and how I might develop more resources for my family’s home country and places like this.

Young man wearing blue shirt looks to camera with blue sky in background — *Umar on Northwestern’s campus*

When I returned to New York, I enrolled in Marble Hill High School for International Studies (a partner school of the CollegeBound Initiative). There I met teachers and counselors like Ms. Rodriguez, the Director of College Counseling (DCC) who guided me through different academic and college opportunities.

What was that process like as a high school student figuring out where you wanted to go and how to get there?

A counselor told me about the QuestBridge College Prep Scholars program, which I applied for and got into in eleventh grade. The early exposure had me researching college rankings and outcomes lists, writing a personal essay, and getting letters of recommendation from teachers a lot earlier than my friends. All of that prepared me to apply to the QuestBridge Match program in my senior year, which would offer a full four-year scholarship and other college support. The DCCs kept me informed and on track with deadlines. My parents were less involved because they weren’t familiar with the college process here. They did not go to elementary school let alone college, so a lot of my process was self-directed. I’ve since been able to help my younger brother, who is in high school, figure out financial aid and college applications.

How did you decide on which college to attend?

The iMentor program helped me think about my fit factors for what I wanted in a college. My love for math and my desire to study a subject that would yield real world solutions to problems led me to decide that I wanted to study engineering. I also wanted to go away to college for a different diversity of experiences.

I only considered schools that met full financial need. I truly believed that with my hard work and achievements, I’d get into a college that would make me happy. In December of senior year, through the QuestBridge National Match, I got matched to Northwestern! The McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science at Northwestern is a top-tier school in engineering and enabled me to pursue my dream of exploring and studying different areas of engineering.

Young man wearing science goggles and a lab coat gives a thumbs up sign — *Umar works at an academic research lab at Northwestern*

What are a few highlights of your college experience so far?

I’m really proud to represent the Muslim Cultural Students Association in the Associated Student Government Senate. We passed a resolution to provide free daily iftar meals for students breaking fast who were observing Ramadan. I met with the Vice President of Student Affairs, learned about different funding streams and how to advocate for the resources that my community needed, and wrote the legislation that got passed. College is a place where I can try out different things and change my mind.

Young man poses with a football mascot a wolf with a football stadium in the background — *Campus activities include Wildcats football games*

I got to be on the front edge of academic research and discovery, working with a quantum mechanics research group, and it opened my eyes to a completely different career option in academia, which is something I can now also consider as a viable route besides just industry. I’m also involved with the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the National Society of Black Engineers. There’s so much I can do in college based on my interests and my affinity groups.

What was something unexpected about college?

The quiet! I’m used to the sounds of the city. I couldn’t sleep the first week because it was too quiet. I also had to learn the logistics of getting set up to go away, like buying a plane ticket and restocking sheets and toothpaste. I really enjoy the freedom of choosing how to use my time, taking the classes I want, and being responsible for my own decisions. And sometimes it’s as simple as having fun with friends getting cookies and other treats at 1:00am.

What advice would you share with students who are just beginning to explore college and career options?

For the juniors, I’d say keep an open mind and just get started with a Google doc. Write down any college that interests you, the distance from home, the thing that interests you about it, and narrow it down from there. It’s okay to change your mind. For seniors, I’d say be pragmatic. At the end of the day, you’ll gain the same degree and skills whether you go to one college or another. Be confident in the school you choose and look forward to making the most of it when you arrive.