E!: Serge, thank you for accepting our invitation to do this interview. We were told that you've been pretty busy these days and that we could try again next year.

 

Serge: [Laughs] It seems like it sometimes. Certainly busy, but never too busy to share my story. The pleasure it all mine. Thank you for taking time to interview me.

 

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E!: So let's start with some background. Tell us where you're from and some basic information. The first date stuff [Laughs].

 

Serge: [Laughs] Let's see, I'm 21, Originally from the urban city of Newark, New jersey but grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania. I am a first generation american, son of west African parents who instilled in me the values of hard work, education, public service early on which has led me to devote my life to giving everyone the opportunity to succeed. I am a senior studying Computer Science and Information Science and Technology. In the future, I am interested in using technology to help provide opportunities for under presented communities and inspire the next generation of leaders. I'm humbled to be on the homecoming court this year to provide representation and a diverse perspective.

 

E!: That's amazing. What about your hobbies? What do you like to do when you have spare time aside from interviews?

 

Serge: [Laughs] I do enjoy interviews. I have a non traditional background and interviews gives me an opportunity to tell people more about me and open up. If this interview helps inspire one person believe they can be successful at Penn State, or any other institution, it will be well worth it. Outside of interviews, I enjoy Real Estate. Ownership is the key to improving our cities and advancing as a culture. In the future, I look to learn more about how to use real estate to develop and improve underrepresented communities.

 

E!: I like that! What advice to do you have for someone who wants to give back to their community but feels it may not be the right time yet?

 

Serge: I would say you're never going to be 100% ready and it's never going to be the perfect time, but that's the point. You may never know what someone else may need until you offer to share. It means every moment is also the right time. If you want to give back. you just have to do it and you will be surprised how good it feels and how much value you bring.

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E!: Very good advice! Tell us about what do you do for fun?

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Serge: I also enjoying doing simple things. Reading, listening to music, playing basketball, you know, relaxing activities.

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E!: Would your friends say you win a lot in basketball?

 

Serge: They've been known to be pretty forgetful but i would say yes.

 

E!: [Laughs] And you've been involved in a list of organizations, right? Just list them for us. We'll tell the public we made you do it.

 

Serge: Oh man [Laughs]. Let's see, first of all, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, the Mighty Gamma Nu Chapter.

 

E!: [Laughs] I see what you did there.

 

Serge: [Laughs] Had to, had to. Some roles past and present, um, Chapter President, Chapter Vice-President, Programming Chair, Academic Chair, University Relations Chair, Social Chair, and the Miss Black & Gold Scholarship Pageant & Ball Executive Director. Let's see, I was the Paul Robeson Cultural Center Liason, Vice-President for Communications, and UPUA Delegate for the National Pan-Hellenic Council, I was the Corporate Liaison and Freshman Student Liaison for the National Society of Black Engineers, I was the Assistant Program Coordinator and Head Student Mentor for the Multicultural Engineering Program, Greek Week Public Relations Captain, Martin Luther King Day of Service Team Captain, and the Corporate Liaison for the Association of Computing Machinery. I've also been involved with Black Caucus, Engineering Leadership Society, and the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.

 

E!: Nice! I'm afraid to ask you about your accomplishments but, you see, the way this works is I have to ask the questions they give me. So, let's hear those accomplishments.

 

Serge: [Laughs] If you insist. I've been on the Dean's List three times, was awarded the United Methodist W. Clara D. Kock Scholarship 2012-2014, recognized as the Microsoft National Scholar 2013-2015, Buick Achievers Scholar 2014-2015, that one was huge. Received the U.S. Steel Trustee Scholarship, College of Information Technology 2014, inducted into the Gamma Tau Phi National Honor Society, College of Information Science Technology in September of 2015, received the OSU Leadership and Creativity Symposium Grant in Fall 2014, and the GE Lloyd Trotter African-American Forum Scholars scholarship in the summer of 2014, and participated in the Capital One Summit for Developing Scholars in Fall 2014. I was also awarded the Living the Ritual Award by the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life in the Spring of 2015. Was also inducted into the Order of Omega, Fraternity & Sorority Life Honor Society. Oh, and I was the student speaker at the 2014 Multicultural Engineering Program Banquet in September of 2014.

 

E!: Well, that's amazing. We're certainly happy for all of your successes. Tell us about some of the ways you've given back.

 

Serge: I've participated in the Martin Luther King Day of Service for the past two years. I've been involved in several programs as well. Some of those are the United Methodist Church Youth Volunteer program, State College High Minority High School Mentorship program, and the Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentorship. I've also participated in FreshSTART, the Millersville Community Cleanup, and the Homecoming Day of Service. The most memorable has been my participation in the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon since my freshman year.

 

E!: What other activities have you done?

 

Serge: Well, I was an IT Strategy Consulting Intern at Ernst & Young, GE Healthcare Intern, Intel Corporation Technology Intern, IT and Services Lab Intern, I know, a lot of working [laughs] but that's what I enjoy doing.

 

E!: Tell us about your future aspirations.

 

Serge: I aspire to live in NY in the near future and become a management consultant. I hope to build a family and live In the Manhattan area for a few years then move to a more rural area. I plan to go back to school and attain a MBA after 3 years of working and 

open up my own consulting firm in the near future as well.

 

E!: What or who inspires you to dream so big?

Serge: True change is a project that’s much bigger than any one of us. It’s bigger than any one person, It’s a job for all of us, I am just looking to do my part. I am inspired by my fellow Penn Staters and the amazing work that they do. Every time I see a student doing great things it motivates me to continue to make my impact and help our university, and community become a better place.  When Penn State student and first year Schreyer Honors College scholar Neha Gupta accepted the 2014 International Children’s Peace Prize Award for her exceptional work to raise money for underprivileged children around the world I was motivated to continue my work on campus and think about how much a more empowered Nittany Lion with motivation can do for the world. 

E!: As a Penn State student, what was your proudest moment and why?

 

Serge: Since my very first steps on Penn State’s campus on August 22nd of fall 2012, I was filled with the utmost sense of community. I knew I was going to capitalize on every opportunity to leave my impact but little did I know I was going to find a family in the process. Luckily, I was on the road to start a portion of my legacy in a program called the Multicultural Engineering Program that would provide me this opportunity. Three years later, I am honored to be chosen as the Program Coordinator and give back by organizing the program. On the sunny Tuesday afternoon of the program’s start, as everyone settles in, I am a little nervous as I am tasked to put into words what it means to be a Penn State Engineer. As I am addressing the host of assorted faces of family, friends and students in the annual welcome dinner, I realize that all my ambition and experiences had prepared me for this exact moment. This instant allowed me the opportunity to culminate my experiences by preparing students for the Penn state experience and helping them understand what it meant to the yell the exhilarating words “We Are” with pride in their hearts. I was overwhelmed with a unquenchable sense of pride for my university because I was doing exactly what I loved; mentoring the next generation and shaping the future to exemplify the tradition of greatness that this University is notorious for.

 

E!: Tell us about a time when you were presented a challenge as a Penn State student and how the University gave you the power to overcome it.

 

Serge: One of my greatest challenges at Penn state actually occurred on my first days on the campus. Prior to my arrival at the university, I lost a close aunt to breast cancer. There were a multitude of challenges that I faced coming to campus due to this. while also facing the daunting task of excelling in an extremely challenging Engineering curriculum was not an easy task. Luckily, engulfing myself in the history and traditions of Penn State was the best thing that could have happened. I immediately became involved in my first year at Penn State, joining the National Society of Black Engineers and getting involved in Greek life were some of the best decisions that I have made.  Page 9 I was able to find life long mentors and unify with other Penn Staters while building our legacy together.  Three years later, being honored as the member of the year for the National Society of Black Engineers and receiving the “Living the Ritual Award” within the office of fraternity life showed me the potential of adopting the values of the university.The skills I learned from my experiences, coursework, and leadership, have prepared me for any challenges I know I will face as in the world.

 

Ee