Wesleyan African Scholars Website

Gad Nkurunziza

Home Country: Rwanda

Intended Major(s): Undecided, Data Science Certificate

Languages Spoken: English and Kinyarwanda

Involvement at Wes: Soccer, Weightlifting, Sustainability Strategic Plan Ambassador, and African Student Association

Bio: My name is Gad Nkurunziza and I use He/him pronouns. I am a freshman not yet fully decided on my major here at Wesleyan. I grew up in the rural part of Rwanda. On campus, I’m involved in Sustainability Strategic Plan and SAGES. Outside of the school, I love volunteering and community building. Being part of WATT is an easy way of fostering personal growth and connection here at Wes.

Allan Cheruiyot

Home Country: Kenya 

Intended Major(s): Computer Science and Integrated Design, Engineering, Arts & Society (IDEAS) or Astronomy 

Languages Spoken: English, Swahili, Kipsigis (and some related dialects), and Sheng’ Creole.

Involvement at Wes: National Education Equity Teaching Fellow, photographer in Psychology Department, assistant in Science Library, Sailing club

Bio: My name is Allan. I am a freshman interested in pursuing CS and probably the IDEAS major or Astronomy. At Wesleyan, I am helping one of the most amazing professors I’ve met as she creates a new digital course. Outside school, I’m learning night sky photography, and piano (maybe drums or guitar later?). I LOVE planes and usually pass time with flight sims, which are really cool. I might get into plane spotting. 

Daphine Kemigisa

Home Country: Uganda

Intended Major(s): Chemistry

Languages Spoken: Luganda and English

Involvement at Wes: Track and Field, SUYA, American Chemical Society, Women in Science and the African Student Association

Bio: Hello everyone! My name is Daphine and I use she/her pronouns! I am a rising sophomore planning to major in Chemistry on the dual-degree engineering track. On campus I am in involved in Track and Field, SUYA, American Chemical Society, Women in Science and the African Student Association. A fun fact about me is that my favorite show of all time is succession.

Chukwudi Udechukwu 

Home Country: Nigeria

Intended Major(s): Computer Science

Languages Spoken: English

Involvement at Wes: Wesleyan Rugby, Auxiliary services job, Intramural soccer, Acapella

Bio: Hi everyone! My name is Chukwudi and I use He/him pronouns! I am a first year planning to major in computer science. I grew up in Nigeria. On campus I am involved in club rugby. Outside of school I love reading novels, playing frisbee and taking pictures. I want to be part of the WATT program since it offers a valuable opportunity to establish meaningful friendships and become an active member of a supportive community.

Tihitina Gebeyehu 

Home Country: Ethiopia

Intended Major(s): Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, minor in Economics  

Languages Spoken: Amharic and English

Involvement at Wes: International Student Advisory Board (ISAB), Summerfields, Women in Science, Wesleyan International Speakers Program (WISP)

Bio: Hi everyone! My name is Tihitina, and I use she/her pronouns! I am a Freshman intending to major in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. I was born and raised in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. On campus I am involved in women in finance, ISAB and I work at summerfields. Outside of school I love watching K-dramas and writing poetry.

Holiness Igiraneza

Home Country: Burundi

Intended Major(s): Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, minor in Chemistry

Languages Spoken: Kirundi, French, Kinyarwanda, English, and Swahili

Involvement at Wes: International Student Advisory Board, Wesleyan Refugee Project, Suya.

Involvement at Wesleyan: International Student Advisory Board (ISAB), Wesleyan International Speakers Program (WISP)

Bio: Hi everyone! My name is Holiness Ange Igiraneza and I use she/her pronouns! I am a freshman. I plan to major in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. On campus, I will be involved in the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB), Wesleyan refugee project, and Suya (African dance club). Outside of school, I love dancing, and hanging out with friends. I want to be part of the WATT program because I want to have people with similar backgrounds to guide me through the college life and maybe help others later.

Naomi Ivie 

Home Country: Nigeria

Intended Major(s): Theater and Molecular Biology & Biochemistry

Languages Spoken: English, French, Yoruba, and Korean (not fluent)

Involvement at Wes: The Wesleyan Christian Fellowship, Singing, Swimming

Bio: Hi everyone! My name is Naomi Ivie and I use she/her pronouns! I am a first year student who is exploring my diverse interests, so not certain of my major currently. I grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, and I am from Delta State. On campus I am involved in the Wesleyan Christian Fellowship, a community where students who love Jesus come together and have weekly bible studies and fellowship with one another. Outside of school I love to spend time praying and in admiring natural creation. I also love to sing and play basketball! I applied to be part of the WATT Program because I was hoping to have a mentor with similar experiences to me guide me through any challenges I may have here at Wes, and also give me advice to succeed very well here at Wes!

Olayinka Vaughan

Home Country: Nigeria

Intended Major(s): Computer Science, minor in Economics, certificate in Applied Data Science

Languages Spoken: English

Involvement at Wes: University Communications, Chessleyan, Wesleyan Christian Fellowship, Code_Wes, African Students Association, Black Student Union

Bio: Hello there! I’m Yinka Vaughan, a passionate first-year student deeply immersed in the world of Computer Science. My roots trace back to Lagos, Nigeria, where I first ignited my passion for coding and problem-solving. On campus, you can often find me at the Wesleyan Christian Fellowship, where I join fellow believers to share in our spiritual journey. Additionally, I’m an avid member of Chessleyan, where I engage in intellectual battles with fellow chess enthusiasts. Being part of the inaugural cohort in the WATT program is a thrilling honor. I aspire to be a proud ambassador, paving the way for the next generation of African trailblazers. I’m eagerly looking forward to forging connections, soaking up knowledge, and flourishing within this incredible community!