Susan Wu

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“I decided to transfer to Smith College for several reasons, such as the supporting academic enviroment, the qualified professors and mentors, the opportunities offered to perform research, and the rigorous curriculum.”

  • Program: 2011 Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Recipient
  • Resides: Northampton, MA
  • Hometown: Germantown, MD
  • Age: 20

Biography

Profile: Susan Wu discovered at an early age a true passion for biology, especially as it pertains to the environment and animals. As a third grader in Germantown, MD, she found an injured turtle and nursed it back to health.  Then shortly thereafter, she began volunteering at the Second Chance Wildlife Center, a Gaithersburg, MD organization that returns injured and orphaned animals back to their natural habitats.  Her passion has only increased over the years and manifested itself in a spectacular academic career at Montgomery College.  At the Germantown campus, Susan learned about Student Life's events, endless volunteer opportunities, and a variety of clubs. “I quickly became involved with Student Life, ran for Treasurer of the Student Senate and with this position, I was able to gain more confidence in myself, and I was able to gain leadership skills, which enabled me to give back to the community and the campus,” Susan said. During her second year, Susan was accepted into the Renaissance Scholars Honor Program, and she took honors courses in three different disciplines, including Honors Organic Chemistry.  She said she was fortunate to have attended Montgomery College. 

Inspiration:  Professor Naake was Susan’s mentor. “Because Professor Naake pushed me to achieve my full potential, I became more confidence in myself to be able to succeed.”

Aspiration:  Susan hopes to someday become a marine biologist.  She’ll transfer to Smith in Massachusetts and then has her sights set on graduate school at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in California.

Making a Difference: Receiving the 2011 Presidential Scholar Award is Susan’s proudest achievement thus far. “Being nominated by four of my professors and faculty of the college was truly an honor. From taking honors classes, attending leadership workshops, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, organizing fundraisers for several causes, and working in the college’s science learning center...my professors and other faculty of the college saw how dedicated and hard working student I was,” Susan said.  While at Montgomery College she learned that “anything is possible with hard work and determination.”

Accolades:  In addition to receiving the 2011 Presidential Scholar Award at Montgomery College Susan also was named a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Scholar and was elected to the Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Society.

Interesting Fact:  Susan is one of two Montgomery College students to receive JKCF Scholarships in 2011.  Rahel Kebede was the other.

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