Sophomore Keaboka Nyumbu joined Chioma Nwaoha and Rochelle Willis as three of seven Boston Public Schools valedictorians who chose Northeastern in 2008. Even with their wide range of interests—from biology to engineering to art—they all knew they would flourish with the University's experiential learning opportunities and outstanding academics.

Rochelle Willis — Engineered for Success
For sophomore mechanical engineering major Rochelle Willis, distinction means more than making the grade. She aspires to use her major to help people in underdeveloped countries by providing better technology and medical equipment. Another possibility is joining an engineering firm or even creating her own.

Willis's experience at Northeastern has already proven valuable in working toward these goals. In class, she built a mousetrap-powered model car, and through the Black Engineering Student Society, she attended conferences in New Jersey and Las Vegas for workshops, resumé reviews, and career fairs.

"School is challenging," says Willis, "but there are lots of opportunities, and it's been great to meet upperclassmen through engineering and activities."

Chioma Nwaoha — A Mind for Medicine
Science has been on Chioma Nwaoha's brain since she was a middle schooler in Nigeria, where she excelled in biology.

Northeastern has been on her brain since high school, when she moved to Boston and would often stroll around campus. The school—and its students—quickly made a positive impression. "What attracted me was the diversity and how students connected with each other. I also had friends who were into health sciences tell me how good the biology program was, so Northeastern was my number one choice."

Now a full-fledged Husky, Nwaoha is pursuing her dream to work on research and cures for malaria and tropical diseases. The sophomore biology major couldn't be happier: "My professors are always there when I need them. So far, it's been excellent."

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