Hope Ngriwe

There are an endless amount of people that I can say had a profound impact during my time here:

• Blaine Harvey provided me with guidance and encouragement as I found my footing and grounding.
• Aygul Hoffman always rooted and cheered for me, and advocated for me in whatever I was pursuing.
• Almira Karajic and Chou Yee Ngue L Her providing guidance and were listening ears.
• Lori Diprete Brown believed in me, even when I was unclear about my pathway.
• Monica Prado and Curtis Feldner for being listening ears and cracking jokes.
• My CAE peer mentor team this year who have astounded me everyday with their ability to think in-depth and advocate, even when it’s not easy.
• My family and Eric Akpan, of course, who have always rooted for me and saw me while I struggle.

CAE has had a profound experience during my time in college and I am forever grateful. I remember stepping foot on this campus Summer of 2019, as a Black girl from the tiny village of Spencer, Wis., and not really knowing much about anything. I think back then, I thought I had to know what’s to come next. I had to plan my life out to make sure that things happened exactly as I thought it would. But CAE provided me with the reassurance that it was okay not to know, that it’s okay to sometimes fail, because things will be okay. CAE provided me with a sense of consistency during COVID and even beyond, through the work of being a peer mentor. Even through that, I found my passion and interest in learning, even if it took me a while.