Gifty Kessie

University of Massachusetts Lowell

Gifty Kessie, a second year at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, is an engaged student leader working towards increasing equity in the spaces she inhabits. Gifty currently serves as a Peer Leader at the River Hawk Scholars Academy, a Student Ambassador for the Francis College of Engineering, and a founding member of UMass Lowell’s Black Leadership Advisory Council, in addition to working for Girls Inc. In these various positions Gifty works towards increased representation for Black women in STEM, the creation of a more equitable and inclusive campus, and female empowerment and the success of first-generation and low-income college students.

Jacqueline Moloney
Chancellor
University of Massachusetts Lowell

Personal Statement

Ever since a young age, it has been embedded in me to serve as a helping hand and my Ghanaian parents have always taught me to do everything from my heart with care. Growing up, my older brother said to me “It’s the little things in life that matter.” I never understood what he meant until I was introduced to the River Hawks Scholars Academy (RHSA). This organization was and still is the epitome of support. Being able to engage in activities to better myself and those around me motivated me to do more. I became a Peer Leader to be the helping hand for first-generation students like me and offer them the little things in life. It amazes me how much one can grow within a program and it inspired me to assist a select group of first-year students to do the same. As a woman of color, I notice the lack of diversity within the STEM fields and it is my goal to inspire other women to join while leading by example.

Gifty Kessie
Mechanical Engineering: Class of 23-May
written 2021

2021 Fellows Alphabetical by Institution

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Salma Yajaira Gómez Pineda, Universidad de Monterrey Daniel Khoshkepazi, University of Baltimore Mansi Seth, University of California Berkeley Emma Davis, University of Central Arkansas Victoria Orindas Corcino, University of Central Florida Sai Reddy, University of Cincinnati Areyana Janae-Andrea Proctor, University of Colorado Boulder Irene Soteriou, University of Connecticut Ryan Greensfelder, University of Dayton Nicole Kennedy, University of Delaware Jenny Truong, University of Denver Miguel Garcia, University of Houston-Downtown Courtney Washington, University of Illinois at Chicago Celena Zacchai, University of Maine at Augusta Brandon Reed, University Of Maine at Farmington Callie Jordan, University of Mary Washington Ayotomiwa Fashola, University of Maryland Eastern Shore Faith Davis, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Gifty Kessie, University of Massachusetts Lowell Ian Malesiewski, University of Miami Isabella DeArmitt, University of Missouri-St. Louis Mia McKinney, University of Montana Allison Hrovat, University of Mount Union Vanessa Chavez Jurado, University of Nebraska at Omaha Lauren Martin, University of North Carolina Charlotte Justin Bray, University of North Georgia Jerrell Bates, University of Northern Iowa Caitlyn Cano, University of Notre Dame Anjali Mishra, University of Oregon Alisa Ghura, University of Pennsylvania Brianna Silva, University of Richmond Kapri Tulang-De Silva, University of San Diego Jada Curry, University of San Francisco Daniela Isaza, University of South Carolina Upstate Sophia Faacks, University of St. Thomas Hannah Beauchamp-Pope, University of Wisconsin Green Bay Beth Allen, University of Wisconsin-Madison Alisson Anguiano Salas, University of Wisconsin-Parkside Jessica Smith, University of Wisconsin-Superior
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