Nneoma Olumba

We are delighted to introduce our Alumni & Friends community to alumna Nneoma Olumba. Nneoma’s educational dreams led her to Broward College where she excelled academically, becoming a member of the prestigious Phi Theta Kappa honor society, and earned her Associate degree with High Honors. Now a student at St. Olaf’s College in Minnesota, Nneoma will be majoring in Economics.

We asked Nneoma to share her journey and impressions about her time at Broward College with us.

Nneoma, where did you grow up and what motivated you to attend Broward College?

I grew up in Nigeria and later moved to the United States. After I graduated from high school, I decided to attend Broward College because of its affordability and because I wanted surety. I wanted to be certain of my career path and how to get there. Broward College gave me clarity by allowing me to form strong relationships with professors and faculty members that guided me.

Can you tell us about one or two moments that stand out about your time at the College?

I have had many meaningful experiences here at Broward College. One experience that stands out to me was getting selected to be a Summer Scholar at Chautauqua last summer, in July 2024. I was made aware of this opportunity by the Honors College and applied.

The ‘Summer Scholars at Chautauqua’ is a program organized by Community Compact where 24 Honors or PTK students from across the country are selected to go to the Chautauqua Institute, at Chautauqua, New York, to meet different people and increase our Social Capital. At Chautauqua, I had the opportunity to attend various event, including lectures about religion, lectures about population growth, performances by the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, dialogues with guest speakers and other Chautauqua residents, literary events, music concerts, etc. I was able to connect with many people from different backgrounds and different experiences who were willing to share their stories. 

In addition, I learned how to play a few keys of the Ukulele which I demonstrated during my final Scholars presentation at the Chautauqua Hall of Philosophy, along with a poem I wrote.

Did you have any favorite professors or people at the College who were important to you as a student?

I had two professors at Broward College who were supportive of me and made a meaningful impact on my journey. Professor Laura Rambarose, my psychology professor and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) advisor, played a significant role in my growth. I served as MuMu chapter president under her guidance and received consistent support throughout my term. Professor Carl Juliet, my math professor, was another influential figure. She was always very kind and encouraging. I am also grateful to Ms. Adriana Bentley from the Honors College who stepped in to help me with an important issue that was of great concern to me. All three were trustworthy and genuinely cared about my well being beyond the classroom.

Were there any particular resources at the college that were important to you when you were a student?

The TRIO Student Support program was a significant resource. I participated in monthly check-ins with my Trio Support coach who regularly checked in on my wellbeing. TRIO also kept me informed on campus events and resources. Another important resource was the Peer Mentoring program. I was a mentee and my Peer Mentor checked in on me weekly to know how I was faring. Then, I became inspired to be a mentor because I wanted to be a part of assisting other students in navigating resources on campus.

Were you a scholarship recipient as a student? If so, how did that assist you?

Yes, I was a recipient of the IRM Scholar Award. This scholarship helped cover the cost of my tuition and books, which allowed me to focus on my education without worrying about cost.

Where did you go after Broward College? What was your path? How did what you learn at the College prepare you for your path?

I graduated from Broward College in fall 2024, and I will be attending St. Olaf College this upcoming fall, where I will be majoring in Economics with a concentration in International Relations. Broward College gave me the opportunity to explore different courses that helped me clarify my interests.

What do you wish other people knew about Broward College, something you think is a best kept secret or a something that makes our college standout among other institutions?

I want students to be aware of the resources that Broward College offers, and to take full advantage of them. There is often a stigma towards community colleges, but Broward College should not be looked down on, because it has amazing resources and people that offer support to students. From free tutoring, to scholarship opportunities and programs to enhance leadership skills, Broward College has a strong foundation for academic and personal growth.