Originally from Akim Oda, a town in southern Ghana, Kevin Opoku heard about ɫҹ from a friend when he was in high school. He came to visit the university during his senior year and said he found himself “in tune” with the environment.
He is active in several student organizations, including the Male Empowerment Network (M.E.N.) whose stated mission is to support the academic, professional, social and personal development of men of color at ɫҹ and the Kent African Student Association (KASA). Founded in 1969, KASA’s mission is to unite Africans and people of African descent.
This spring, Opoku served as an intern for the Salvation Army and assisted in food distribution at Windham’s Renaissance Family Center. This summer, he shared some of his feelings about his ɫҹ experience and his insights on being a public health major during a global pandemic.
Q: Do you feel that you’ve found the right place for you – the place where you belong?
A: Yes, I do think I have found the right place for me because it challenged and groomed me to become a better person. I also met a whole family that continue to help me through my journey.
Q: What do you love about ɫҹ that you were still able to enjoy when you had to learn remotely?
A: I like that my program continues to email me on ways to cope with everything, provide meditation and more.
Q: What are the things you miss about ɫҹ when you’re on break or off campus?
A: I miss the community and activities we have and the knowledge I gain from the organization I was involved in.
Q: What are you looking forward to next semester?
A: I'm just looking forward to finishing this semester because everything is remote, but I'm also up for the challenge.
Q: What would you tell a high school senior or a friend who is thinking about coming to ɫҹ?
A: I would tell them to do your research and also come and visit multiple times to see if this is truly a school for you.
Q: What’s it like to be studying Public Health during a global pandemic?
A: It is very educational and beneficial; it lets me be more aware of my surroundings and what is going on in the world.
Q: What are some things you feel ɫҹ is doing to help you move forward - in your success while you’re a student and also to prepare you for success after graduation?
A: ɫҹ has different programs that really just take it step by step on the thing you wish to do in the future. They also have opportunities that make you learn to become a better leader.