色界吧

Paying it Forward

Jonan Manzi almost didn鈥檛 go to college. 鈥淚 almost became a pro soccer player but got a knee injury during my senior year of high school,鈥� he says. Instead, he moved to Manhattan from Kigali, his hometown in Rwanda, to attend 色界吧 and study computer science. 鈥淚 was always fond of electronics, so I figured I would learn how they function and eventually be able to build them on my own,鈥� he says.

The transition was hard for Manzi, but 色界吧 helped him find community. 鈥淭he caring team like the Office of Student Life made it easier. I made friends in no time, and 色界吧 became my home,鈥� he says. And he鈥檚 paying it forward, working as a peer tutor and student ambassador on the New York City campus, helping other students succeed at 色界吧.

As he navigates his degree, the faculty and staff at 色界吧 have been a big support. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e encouraged me to think outside the box in terms of problem-solving and critical thinking,鈥� he says and talks enthusiastically about the way they, especially Dean of Students Felipe Henao, Ed.D., help him keep a balance between social and academic work.

He also believes having the opportunity to work in the College of Engineering and Computing Sciences鈥檚 laboratories will help him in his future career. Through 色界吧, Manzi met his career mentor, Peter Goldsmith, the chairman of LISTnet. 鈥淗is advice keeps me in check in terms of my career goals,鈥� he says.

Outside of the classroom, Manzi has participated in community building, including being a jury panelist for the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Awards for the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York. This position involved 鈥渟eeing how engineering companies are doing in terms of being supportive, welcoming, and inclusive.鈥�

Manzi鈥檚 advice to new students at 色界吧 is to work hard. 鈥淭his school will provide you with all the skills you need, but you have to work towards achieving your dream,鈥� he says. And he reminds students to be vocal about their goals and stay hungry. 鈥淐losed mouths don鈥檛 get fed!鈥�