NAME: Chinedu Asinugo II
HOMETOWN: Abuja, Nigeria
MAJOR: Computer Information Technology
MINOR: Information Security, Computer Forensics
YEAR IN COLLEGE: Rising Senior
Tell me about life pre-NKU. Where did you grow up?
I lived in Abuja, Nigeria, for the first 18 years of my life.
Why did you choose NKU? What kept you here?
I chose NKU because out of the 30 universities I applied to, the university offered me the best scholarship to attend. I came to NKU for the money, but the people kept me here. The NKU community is such a welcoming family.
Can you tell me a little about what you’re studying?
My major is Computer Information Technology (CIT) with a focus in Cybersecurity. CIT is a unique program offered within NKU’s College of Informatics that means that I get to take a lot of networking and programming classes. I am currently working at GE, where a lot of the software and concepts are similar to what I learned in the classroom.
What’s the first word that comes to mind when you think about NKU?
Family.
What is the best thing about NKU?
The people. The students, faculty and staff are the best thing about NKU.
What advice would you give a first-year student?
I would say make friends and join organizations outside the classroom. Find people and settings that make you happy, and you will find that NKU has so much to offer.
What’s your favorite class? Why?
My favorite class had to be my ‘Leadership Around the World’ class. My professor was hilarious and made the class very relatable and relevant.
What has been your most challenging academic experience so far? Why?
I think my most challenging academic experience has been trying to find a balance between experiential learning outside of the classroom and in-class learning. Both are very important aspects of learning, and it was a challenge to excel in both without sacrificing either of the two.
What is your favorite way to decompress?
I decompress by playing video games.
Where’s your favorite spot on campus? What makes that spot so special?
My favorite spot must be the rooftop terrace of the Health Innovation Center.
Who’s your favorite professor (or staff member)? Why?
So many NKU professors and staff members made a positive, lasting impact on my life. I cannot pick just one. I am thankful to each NKU employee that has played a role in my journey.
Where’s the best place to study?
The study rooms in the Health Innovation Center.
What is your favorite way to spend your free time?
I spend most of my free time immersed in soccer—playing or watching.
How do you stay focused?
By taking constant breaks, whether it is during a study session or during the semester, I always find time to take quick refreshers as a reward for hard work.
What is your greatest passion?
I think my greatest passion, as abstract as it may sound, is problem solving. This is what drive me to choose my major and what inspires my day-to-day interactions.
What are you most looking forward to after graduation?
I’m looking forward to traveling and exploring.
What kind of job would you like to have after you graduate?
I would love to be a cybersecurity architect and eventually a consultant.
What does getting your degree mean to you?
Getting my degree means that I can take pride in the chance to create better opportunities in my career and for my family, and that the investments in me throughout my college life has yielded some return.
What are a few things every NKU student should do here before he or she graduates?
Thank the professors and staff who helped you along the way to success.
Tell me anything else about yourself and/or NKU that you want folks to know.
I am an international student from Nigeria who never visited the area before deciding to attend NKU. Since arriving here, NKU has given and continues to give me endless opportunities to grow as a person and in my career regardless of my background. This is the power of a strong community, and this is certainly a quality of NKU that is ingrained in the institution.
