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������Ƶ appealed to Jackson Kakwenya, a native of Lusaka, Zambia, for a number of reasons. Not only was he interested in its closeness to the heart of Charlotte, N.C., but it also offered him the support he needed to thrive.

“The rich cultural experience and support system provided by an HBCU was especially meaningful to me as an African student,” he said.

Kakwenya, a Computer Engineering major with a minor in Mathematics, has accomplished much at JCSU. During his time at JCSU, Kakwenya has actively participated in the National Society of Black Engineers as a program manager, a member of Smith Innovates and served as vice-captain of the Campus Debate Team.

“My favorite memory at JCSU was participating in the HBCU Battle of the Brains in 2022, where our team reached the finals and came out as the sponsor favorite,” he said. “The intense collaborative environment, coupled with the challenge of developing a practical solution within a tight deadline, was exhilarating and profoundly rewarding. Also, because we were the sponsor favorite, we had the liberty to attend the NFL draft that year in Las Vegas.”

Kakwenya has excelled academically both inside and outside of the classrooms. Not only has he participated in debates and hackathons, he has also had a number of experiential learning opportunities at Bank of America and Lenovo. He is also a recipient of the Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship and is a James B. Duke Scholar.

“Each of these experiences has contributed to my growth and confidence, preparing me for a successful career heading,” he said. “I am deeply grateful to ������Ƶ for these opportunities and for fostering an environment where learning and professional development are prioritized.”

After graduation, Kekwenya plans to accept a permanent position at Bank of America. In the future, he plans to focus on data-driven solutions and machine learning to aid him as he starts his own firm in the future.

He credits his host father, Ray Jackson, who is the founder of the New Seasons Youth Program, which helped Kekwenya secure the James B. Duke Scholarship. He said that Jackson’s “encouragement, support, and membership have been invaluable.”

Kekwenya also expressed appreciation to JCSU’s Student Support Services; his professors Dr. Ying Bai, Dr. Suryadip Chakraborty, Dr. Brian Hunt and Dr. Thomas Flemming; and to his friends and fellow international students Elton Mombeshora, Tanaka Mbavarira, Purity Gumede, Tinotenda Musingarimi and John Josiah.

“Each of these individuals has played a significant role in shaping my path, and I am profoundly thankful for their presence in my life,” he said.