Feature Stories 2024: Naomi Mwangi ’25: Scholarships nurture dreams

Naomi Mwangi ’25 has dreams brighter than the stars and all the determination in the world to make them a reality. With a passion for understanding the human mind and helping others, Mwangi knew that studying psychology at UMass Dartmouth was meant to be, offering her the chance to make the impact she craved on youth mental health. However, as a first-generation student, navigating the financial aspects of her college experience was uncharted territory that she was motivated to tackle.

Mwangi didn’t have to figure out that part alone. Having moved from Kenya to the United States, her mother recognized the transformative power of education and was committed to ensuring her daughter had every opportunity to succeed. She was equally adamant about finding a way for Mwangi to break free from financial limitations, insisting that she apply for scholarship after scholarship until they could see a light at the end of the tunnel.

“I don’t think she ever wanted to tell me about our financial situation. Instead, she wanted me to be proactive and understand the work that needed to be done to get what I want. If I wanted to pursue higher education, I had to go out and chase it for myself. I always knew that I had her support, and we had to work really hard together to make my dream come true,” Mwangi said. Her mother’s loving persistence instilled in her a strong belief that perseverance could open doors to a brighter future.

A few hand cramps later, Mwangi clicked submit on several scholarship applications, counting on the generosity of others to help her flourish into a successful professional dedicated to changing the landscape of youth mental health. She was overjoyed when she discovered that her hard work had paid off: she received several scholarships that covered costs her family had once thought impossible to manage.

“Scholarships have given me a sense of comfort knowing that debt isn’t something that will be part of my college experience at UMass Dartmouth,” said Mwangi. “I can just focus on my academics, extracurricular activities, and the many happenstance opportunities that I want to pursue. Receiving scholarships have lifted a huge weight off my shoulders.”

Opening doors of opportunity

That weight off her shoulders has opened doors to limitless opportunities for Mwangi, allowing her to fully immerse herself in the UMass Dartmouth community and explore the psychology field beyond Ring Road.

Embracing her identity as a Corsair for life, Mwangi serves as the president of Psi Chi, the international honor society for psychology, and is the events coordinator for Stemming While Black, a campus club that supports people of color in STEM fields. Additionally, she is a peer mentor for a class in the College of Arts & Sciences taught by Dr. Mary Kayyal and works as a resident assistant, actively contributing to her campus community and helping others navigate their own educational journeys.

Most notably, Mwangi was awarded a spot in the National Science Foundation’s prestigious year-long Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, where she’s studying mind, brain, body, and behavior (MB3) at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. She hopes to raise awareness on the active mental health crisis and eliminate stigmas that permeate communities like hers. Over the summer, she began a project researching the external factors that influence internalizing behaviors in Black children. Working in the BUILD Lab under the guidance of Dr. Patricia Brennan, Mwangi gained invaluable experience and forged strong relationships with accredited psychology professionals.

“Scholarships have given me a sense of comfort knowing that debt isn’t something that will be part of my college experience at UMass Dartmouth. I can just focus on my academics, extracurricular activities, and the many happenstance opportunities that I want to pursue. Receiving scholarships have lifted a huge weight off my shoulders."

Mwangi asserts that these opportunities wouldn’t have been possible without the support of scholarships, which enabled her to work less and dedicate more time to her academic and professional development. With scholarships serving as a necessary platform for her success, she has been able to explore enriching experiences that will shape her future career and the impact she hopes to make in the field of psychology.

“There’s something so inspiring about someone who doesn’t know you at all, but wants to help you further your academic career,” said Mwangi. “Knowing that someone took the time to read my story and had enough faith in me to award me a scholarship fills me with so much gratitude. It gives me a sense of purpose to know that there’s people believing in me and my ability to succeed. If that’s not motivation to continue striving to new heights, I don’t know what is.”

As she sets her sights on graduating in May 2025, Mwangi carries with her not only the lessons learned from these incredible opportunities but also a deep appreciation for the support that has fueled her dreams, from her mother’s persistence to her scholarship donors’ generosity. With every step forward she takes, she is reminded of the power of community and the belief that she can make a meaningful difference in the world.