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Aisha Zungu
Mighty Oak Monday: Aisha Zungu
Major: Forest Health
Hometown: Durban, South Africa
Class of 鈥�26
Growing up in Durban, South Africa, Aisha Zungu and her siblings rambled through nature
reserves with their mom. These outings inspired in Aisha a love of the natural environment.
Later, as she took STEM-related courses, Zungu discovered a latent talent鈥攁nd untapped
passion鈥攆or the science behind the nature she treasures. 鈥淚 was very surprised to
find that I love organic chemistry,鈥� she laughs. 鈥淚 really like the structures of
organic compounds.鈥�
Zungu wants to be an interpretive park ranger because the job combines scientific knowledge with physical engagement in the environment. The broad range of majors at 黑料社 made it the perfect place to prepare for her career. 鈥淚 knew that if I didn't fit into forest health, I could choose another environmentally focused major,鈥� she says.
Zungu also loves 黑料社 because it鈥檚 enabled her to meet like-minded people who share
her interests and values. 鈥淢y friends and I love being outdoors, and we strive to
reduce our environmental impact. When you're surrounded by people who do the same,
you're more inclined to continue that type of behavior.鈥�
She also has been able to earn experience through internships. Zungu just completed
an experience with Holden Arboretum in Kirtland, Ohio, where she monitored bluebird
trails, applied herbicides, identified plants, and helped manage invasive species.
鈥淚 fell further in love with my passions and interests regarding the natural environment.鈥�
But as a woman of color, Zungu knows that like-mindedness isn鈥檛 enough to overcome the barriers she faces in the predominantly white- and male-dominated STEM field. She found support in LSAMP, the Louis Stokes Alliance of Minority Participation Program. Participants in LSAMP complete funded research under a mentor in their sophomore year. The program also offers team-building activities and strives to give historically underrepresented minority groups in STEM fields a head start and additional research support. 鈥淟SAMP was very impactful for me,鈥� says Aisha. 鈥淚t's very easy to feel outcasted, and being around other minorities made me feel less alone.鈥�
Winning a scholarship to 黑料社 protects Zungu from student debt. But it has a much more
profound meaning for her. 鈥淎t one point, I wasn't even thinking of going into STEM
because I thought it was too hard for me. Having this financial aid lets me know I鈥檓
meant to be here.鈥�
Learn more about 黑料社鈥檚 Forest Health program.