Graduate Ambassadors
The Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Diversity (CEED) Graduate Ambassadors program is a prestigious group of highly motivated, dedicated, and spirited graduate students who assist with recruiting efforts for underrepresented students. They represent a variety of academic fields and serve as official student representatives for the CEED Office. Our CEED Ambassadors support potential graduate students to Virginia Tech by providing information and participating in recruitment activities that include:serving on a student panel to answer questions from prospective students (A Step to the Doctorate Institute); assisting the College of Engineering with Yield Events; hosting individuals and groups by talking about campus life and the resources available to College of Engineering graduate students; promoting and supporting the Torgersen Awards.
"I became a CEED graduate ambassador so I could share my experience with other prospective students."
Hometown: Camden, South Carolina
Undergraduate Degree: Clemson University, Civil Engineering
Hobbies: Working out, Reading, and playing video games
Graduating Spring 2023
"I wanted to become a Graduate Ambassador for CEED to tell my story and to help others transition to Virginia Tech or to the United States."
Hometown: Puerto Rico and Virginia
Undergraduate Degree: George Mason University, Bioengineering and minor in Dance
Hobbies: Dancing, Trying new restaurants, travel, reading
Spring 2022
"I became a CEED graduate ambassador so I could help prospective students excel during their studies by sharing tricks as well as experiences I have acquired to survive graduate school."
Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria
Undergraduate Degree: Virginia Tech, Mechanical Engineering
Hobbies: Soccer, Reading
Graduating Spring 2025
"To support my career mission of improving access and inclusion in higher ed by sharing institutional know-how with prospective students"
Hometown: Denver, CO
Undergraduate Degree: Lehigh University, Materials Science and Engineering
Hobbies: DJ'ing, weightlifting, yoga, boxing, cooking, baking, and traveling
Graduating Spring 2023
"To play my role in turning VT's campus to a more welcoming environment to students from different backgrounds"
Hometown: Herat, Afghanistan
Undergraduate Degree: Herat University, Civil Engineering
Hobbies: Reading history, photography
Graduating Spring 2025
"I wanted to be a CEED Graduate Ambassador to assist the college of Engineering in their mission of diversifying the graduate student community while also promoting a safe space for all."
Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria
Undergraduate Degree: Ekiti State University, Nigeria, B.Eng. Electrical & Electronics Engineering
Hobbies: Listening to audible, playing lawn tennis and lifting weights
Graduating Spring 2023
"To offer support and share with prospective students my current experience and decisions that allowed me to carry out a graduate program out of my country."
Hometown: Cancun, Mexico
Undergraduate Degree: National Autonomous University of Mexico, Chemical Engineering
Hobbies: Watercolors, calisthenics, videogames
Graduating Spring 2022
"It is my hope as an ambassador that I will be able to interact with underrepresented students along their graduate school journey and share my authentic experiences of being a student at Virginia Tech."
Hometown: Charleston, SC
Undergraduate Degree: Clemson University, Bioengineering
Hobbies: Reading, baking, cooking, watching TikTok, and hanging out with my cat named Milkshake
Graduating Spring 2024
"I thought being a CEED ambassador was a great way to share my journey and experience with other students, particularly international students, who may be struggling/confused about the graduate school application process."
Hometown: Kumasi, Ghana
Undergraduate Degree: Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana, BSc. Electrical/Electronic Engineering
Hobbies: Painting, sewing, reading novels
Graduating Spring 2022
"To live the VT motto: 'that I may serve', and offer support to underrespresented students interseted in pusuing graduate studies in STEM."
Hometown: Azagba, Delta, Nigeria
Undergraduate Degree: University of Ilorin, Nigeria, B.Eng. Mechanical Engineering
Hobbies: Reading fiction, Listening to good music and watching movies.
Graduating Spring 2024
"I became a CEED Graduate Ambassador to help students who may look like me to have an opportunity to pursue their goals, dreams, and aspirations."
Hometown: Harmony, NC
Undergraduate Degree: North Carolina A&T State University, Civil Engineering
Hobbies: Workout (Planet Fitness), Pick-Up Basketball, Intramural Sports, Drawing, Traveling, Binge Watching Shows
Graduating Spring 2023
"I wanted to become a CEED Ambassador to provide my expertise and support underrepresented students achieve their academic and professional goals."
Hometown: Freeport, TX
Undergraduate Degree: University of Houston-Clear Lake, Chemistry
Hobbies: Reading, traveling, fishing, hiking, exercise (weight lifting and running), cooking (BBQ), and spending time with daughter.
Graduating Spring 2024
"Making the transistion offers more challenges then I think most people are aware of; I wanted to be able to lend my insight to those in need"
Hometown: Daytona Beach, FL
Undergraduate Degree: Lincoln University (PA), Physics; Cornell University, Mechanical Engineering
Hobbies: Film, Creative Writing, Taking naps in odd places
Graduating Spring 2022
"I became a CEED Graduate Ambassador to help students navigate grad school by using the knowledge and experiences I 've gained to provide them with the advice, tools and resources needed to be successful."
Hometown: Woodbridge, VA
Undergraduate Degree: George Mason University, B.S. Psychology
Hobbies: BJJ/MMA, Playing music, painting/drawing, exercise, traveling, trying new foods, watching good shows, cooking
Graduating Spring 2024
"To give back to the community and to support my mission diversity/inclusion of underrepresented populations."
Hometown: Betim, Brazil
Undergraduate Degree: Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Industrial Engineering
Hobbies: Dancing, Traveling
Graduating Spring 2023
"I have had a wonderful experience at Virginia Tech, not because everything has been perfect, but because I have found good mentors and communities. I want to share these experiences with prospective students so they can be assured that VT actually makes an effort towards making students feel included."
Hometown: Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Undergraduate Degree: New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Chemical Engineering
Hobbies: Rock climbing, hiking, playing with my dog Chewie, board games with friends, tennis/pickleball, learning Spanish
Graduating Spring 2023
"To present myself as what is possible with the necessary effort, commitment and focus, irrespective of where one's background."
Hometown: Sege-Ada, West, Ghana
Undergraduate Degree: University of Mines and Technology, Ghana, BSc. Mechanical Engineering
Hobbies: Soccer, Watching Documentries
Graduating Spring 2025
"I became a graduate ambassador for CEED to connect with incoming students and share my experiences as a grad student."
Hometown: El Paso, Texas
Undergraduate Degree: University of Texas at El Paso, B.S. Metallurgical & Materials Engineering
Hobbies: Hiking, crochet, gardening, reading, eating, and talking.
Graduating Fall 2022