Growing up in Ghana, Emmanuela Oppong ’19 was familiar with the serious health issues that ravaged the coastal African country. AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis were just some of the major crises afflicting the developing country of more than 28 million.
By the time she arrived in the U.S. to attend high school in the South Bronx, Oppong witnessed poverty and other social problems.
Her experiences in both countries had a profound impact.
“If I can help others, that’s what I want to do,” Oppong said.
The bioengineering major recently received a significant boost to pursue her dream.
She was awarded a prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholarship. She is among 59 students from 52 institutions who were chosen based on leadership, public service and academic achievement. Recipients receive a $30,000 scholarship toward graduate school and the opportunity to participate in professional development programming to help prepare them for careers in public service leadership.
