Abimbola Akerele

He/Him
Class of 2026
Major: Computer Engineering
Hometown: Upper Marlboro, Maryland

What motivated you to become a ClarkLEADER?
I was excited to give back and encourage other transfer students who might feel unsure or uneasy about joining the Clark School. I also wanted to share a glimpse of the culture here, where innovative engineers merge creativity with science and truly enjoy the process. The Clark School has opened up so many career opportunities for me, and being a ClarkLEADER is my way of giving back to students with similar backgrounds. I hope to motivate them by sharing the opportunities and experiences I’ve had during my college journey.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with new Maryland Engineering Students?
Fail fast, learn faster. Don't fear getting it wrong, fear not trying at all. You will encounter set backs and challenges but let it all prepare you to be a better engineer.

What are some organizations or extracurricular activities you think new students should know about?  
Center for Minorities in Science and Engineering (CMSE), Terrapin Learning Institute (TLP; if you want to be a great leader), CodeBlack (for Electrical and Computer Engineers), Bethel Campus Fellowship (BCF, for Christians), Black Engineers Society (BES)

If you attended ClarkLEAD as a first-year student, what did you enjoy most about the event?
I enjoyed the diversity and getting to see the kind of engineers we were becoming. I also met people who ended up in my physics class that semester, which made it easier to connect especially with other commuters taking the same class.