First-year international student Mehrangez Rahmatova is starting a new life at Millikin University. Rahmatova left her homeland of Tajikistan to attend high school in Hawaii at Konawaena High School as part of the U.S. State Department's Future Leader Exchange program.
Rahmatova's host mother, Pamela Wang, raised funds to bring Rahmatova back to Hawaii in January and enroll her in community college. It was at community college where Rahmatova learned about Millikin.
"My community college was new and there weren't any clubs or a wide range of classes," Rahmatova said. "I really wanted to come to the mainland and experience the middle of the United States without getting lost."
Rahmatova arrived on Millikin's campus in June with plans to take science and business courses. She jumped into campus life at Millikin in July as part of the Long-Vanderburg Scholarship Program's five-day leadership academy for first-year students.
The Long-Vanderburg Scholars Program provides historically under-represented honors students interested in social justice the chance to enroll at Millikin. The Caterpillar Inc. Foundation has been a primary supporter.
"There are so many goals," Rahmatova said. "Because I have so much support, I really want to help others achieve their full potential. I am interested in entrepreneurship and owning a consulting business of my own."
Click here to read more about Mehrangez Rahmatova in an article from the Herald & Review.