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Student life at PNW was a main draw for future engineer

Campus atmosphere, classes, and instruction can be daunting to any newly-arrived student, but Chicago native Yosef Maynie found many ways to fit in quickly at Purdue University Northwest (PNW).

Maynie was pleased to note, “It was easy to get involved here at Purdue Northwest and not get lost in the crowd.”

Maynie transferred to PNW in 2013 and found that through strong faculty support and campus involvement he was able to excel academically. Before long, he was tutoring other students in mathematics – a subject he had previously found challenging.

“He was a good student and was always asking questions. He was determined, motivated and a self-starter,” said Professor of Mathematics Anthony Elmendorf.

“I really meshed with Professor Elmendorf’s teaching style. His support helped me to master mathematics,” Maynie said.

A connection with the university

Maynie discovered involvement in extra-curricular activities was instrumental to accelerating his leadership skills, improving time management practices and assisting others.

“Going to a university isn’t just about going to class and then going home,” said Maynie. “The experiences you have here make it valuable.”

While attending Purdue Northwest, Maynie has served as president and past-president for the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) since 2015. “This organization has been the greatest help to me throughout my collegiate career. It has provided me with a job, an internship and research opportunities, as well as molding me into a leader on campus,” said Maynie. “I was able to learn how to budget finances, manage people, and also travel to places I had never been before for conferences.”

In addition to his involvement with NSBE, Maynie was a member of the student-led American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and a participant of the Steel Bridge competition team. He represented his college as a senator on the Student Government Association and was a member of Brother 2 Brother, where he worked to increase retention rates of minorities at PNW.

“Being a member of an organization can increase grades and the value of the degree itself,” he said of his active involvement in the student organizations.

Maynie also completed an internship at Superior Engineering in Hammond where he performed on-site surveying and calculations.

“There are many reasons to attend PNW, but to me, the student life was a main draw. Like anything, it is what you make of it. If you are willing to put in the effort, you can achieve great things.”

He graduates with a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering and a minor in mathematics at the Saturday, Dec. 9 commencement ceremonies on the Hammond campus. Maynie aspires to attend graduate school and eventually hopes to join the ranks of the engineers working for the city of Chicago.

 

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