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Christa Akariza Kanamugire Shekinah

595

Bold Points

2x

Finalist

2x

Winner

Bio

I am a rising junior at Assumption University majoring in Mathematics and doing the 3:2 engineering program. I enjoy learning and having meaningful conversations with others. My dream is to enhance the aviation industry in Africa.

Education

Assumption College

Bachelor's degree program
2022 - 2026
  • Majors:
    • Mathematics

Academy of the Holy Family

High School
2019 - 2022

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Aviation & Aerospace

    • Dream career goals:

      Build an aviation industry in Africa

    • Math and Physics Tutor

      Assumption University
      2023 – Present1 year

    Sports

    Badminton

    Junior Varsity
    2019 – 20212 years

    Research

    • Mechanical Engineering

      Tufts University — Research Assistant
      2024 – Present
    Pan-African Scholars Initiative
    Winner
    Three years ago, I left Rwanda and came to the United States to continue my education with the hope that the educational opportunities available in the USA will help me to achieve my dream of becoming an aerospace engineer. I was a rising senior in high school when I got a good scholarship to a high school in the United States. I applied to this high school during the Covid pandemic because schools were closed in my country, and I didn’t want to lose an academic year because of Covid. The acceptance letter came when schools in Rwanda were open, but I accepted the offer because I knew I wanted to go to college in the USA. I did my senior year and during that time I applied to various colleges. Assumption University offered me an opportunity to continue my studies. I knew that Assumption University did not have an aerospace engineering major however, it has an engineering program that enables students to graduate with both a liberal arts and engineering degree. I joined the engineering program because I did not want the obstacles I faced to stop me from pursuing my dream. Currently, I am a mathematics major with a minor in engineering science in the 3:2 program of engineering. Going to a liberal arts college enabled me to realize that education offers more than a career. Assumption University helped me to understand that education is a journey of discovering the truth. Despite being a math major I heavily enjoy the philosophy and theology classes because they make me think about other areas of life. These classes provide a holistic education that not only helps me to develop intellectually but also spiritually. I need to obtain a degree because earning a living is different from earning a life.
    Pan-African Scholars Initiative
    Winner
    Three years ago, I left Rwanda and came to the United States to continue my education with the hope that the educational opportunities available in the USA will help me to achieve my dream of becoming an aerospace engineer. I was a rising senior in high school when I got a good scholarship to a high school in the United States. I applied to this high school during the Covid pandemic because schools were closed in my country, and I didn’t want to lose an academic year because of Covid. The acceptance letter came when schools in Rwanda were open, but I accepted the offer because I knew I wanted to go to college in the USA. I did my senior year and during that time I applied to various colleges. Assumption University offered me an opportunity to continue my studies. I knew that Assumption University did not have an aerospace engineering major however, it has an engineering program that enables students to graduate with both a liberal arts and engineering degree. I joined the engineering program because I did not want the obstacles I faced to stop me from pursuing my dream. Currently, I am a mathematics major with a minor in engineering science in the 3:2 program of engineering. Going to a liberal arts college enabled me to realize that education offers more than a career. Assumption University helped me to understand that education is a journey of discovering the truth. Despite being a math major I heavily enjoy the philosophy and theology classes because they make me think about other areas of life. These classes provide a holistic education that not only helps me to develop intellectually but also spiritually. I need to obtain a degree because earning a living is different from earning a life.