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Amarachukwu Ifeji 

Political Science
Philosophy minor
Environmental Studies minor

2024

When searching for colleges, Amarachukwu (Amara) was drawn to the political science department in CSSH. She knew that the college’s flexible programs and interdisciplinary focus would give her the knowledge needed to succeed in environmental governance. Amara’s time at Northeastern has been truly invaluable for her academic and professional experience, especially being able to work full-time while earning her degree.

Related Schools & Departments

Headshot of Amarachukwu Ifeji

Amarachukwu ’s Path

Bright red tulips bloom in the foreground of a mural created by artist Silvia López Chavez that swirls and dives along a formerly gray entrance to Ruggles Station

Amara took "Environmental Ethics" with Professor Getty Lustila and explored the ethical implications that ecological concerns have for individual lifestyles and communities.

Professor Getty Lustila
Maine Environmental Education Association logo.

While on co-op with the Maine Environmental Education Association, she mobilized a grassroots campaign that secured a $2 million investment from the Maine legislature for a climate education program.

Maine Environmental Education Association
Amara posing for a photo at the Youth Roundtable discussion at the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Amara was invited to two Youth Roundtable discussions at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, engaging in conversation about climate issues with advocates from across the country.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Ingindeous patterned cloth.

She joined Northeastern's Indigenous Studies Circle, an interdisciplinary group of faculty and students exploring Indigenous histories and thought through dialogue, film, and literature.

Indigenous Studies Circle
Blue globe.

In "Revolution, Civil War, and Insurrection" with Professor Risa Kitagawa, Amara studied various types of conflict settlements and their implications for peace and reconciliation.

Political Science Course Catalog
Outdoor headshot of Amara Ifeji.

She was awarded the prestigious 2023 Harry S. Truman Scholarship, which recognizes undergraduate students who have committed themselves to careers in public service.

NGN Truman Scholarship Feature
Sunset view of Lagos, Nigeria.

For her undergraduate thesis, Amara conducted research alongside Professor Risa Kitagawa. The project seeks to understand Igbo women’s perspectives and lived experiences during the Nigeria-Biafra War.

Professor Risa Kitagawa
Amara showing off her awards.

She was recognized at Northeastern's Academic Honors Convocation for her scholarships and research contributions.

Northeastern Academic Honors 2023
“Getting my political science degree at CSSH equipped me with a transdisciplinary understanding of environmental issues spanning multiple social science, humanities, and natural science disciplines. I have been grateful to hone and actualize this knowledge by serving as a policy practitioner while earning my degree, leading research, and advocating for policies that have directly benefitted my community.”

More Student Paths

Charles T. Wallace-Thomas IV

  • Charles took "Sustainable Renewable Energy Development in the Global South" with Professor Shalanda Baker, which pushed him to further question systems as they exist, no matter their entrenched in society.
  • He did community service as part of the Ujima Global Leaders Program through the John D. O’Bryant African American Institute. He worked on the Timebank team, helping give back to local communities.
  • Charles split his time for his first co-op between the Center for Economic Democracy and the Boston Ujima Project, where he analyzed studies on community needs, including infrastructure and childcare.
  • He was one of the co-creators of the #BlackAtNU campaign and advocated for racial literacy courses and a restorative and transformative justice center on campus.
  • Charles made his own research project- a macroeconomic index to measure democratic participation in municipal economies, partnering with NU, the Columbus Foundation and the Center for Economic Democracy.
  • He worked at the Participatory Budgeting Project as a Program Associate, helping city systems and other organizations actively decide how to invest money across different spaces.
  • Charles graduated in 2022. ..

Casey Greenleaf

  • Casey took Global Markets and Local Cultures. After traveling, she better saw how the coursework mirrored real life, and knew her education was preparing her for the world.
  • She went on a DOC to Argentina and Uruguay, and become highly proficient while living in Buenos Aires and visiting the glaciers of the Patagonia region.
  • Casey completed her first co-op at the Museum of Fine Arts as a community arts program assistant. She gained valuable hands-on experience assisting in arts classes for local communities.
  • She joined the Sociology & Anthropology Student Association during her third year. It allowed her to get to know her fellow students and mirrored the small school experience she loved.
  • Casey studied abroad in Nepal for her capstone thesis. She lived alone for a month while she researched and wrote about the lived experience of climate change in the lower Himalayas.
  • She worked for the Environmental Data and Governance Initiative, founded by Professor Sarah Wylie. She produced promotional videos, developed a virtual research event, wrote event programming, and more.
  • Casey graduated in 2020. ..

Sunita Pfitzner

  • Sunita took Revolution, Civil War, and Insurrection, taught by Professor Risa Kitagawa. The course invited students to question the motives behind acts of violence against governments.
  • She traveled on a Dialogue of Civilizations to Jordan and Egypt; while there she grew interested in Middle East politics and the Arabic language.
  • Sunita worked at the Institute for Economics and Peace in Sydney, Australia, where she analyzed data on the corruption of police forces in Mexico.
  • Sunita was a member of the International Relations Council and traveled abroad with the club to compete in Model Arab League, Model NATO, and Model UN conferences.
  • Sunita conducted research with Berna Turam, developing a greater understanding of the Mediterranean migrant crisis. She also researched the feminist response to Covid-19 with Val Moghadam.
  • She graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2022.
  • ..
Northeastern student Yasser Aponte works at The Food Project to help deliver fresh food to local communities in Dorchester, Massachusetts.

Yasser Aponte

  • Yasser was in the Foundation Year program at Northeastern. The program was a rigorous deep dive into core subject classes that helped Yasser bridge the gap between his high school and college experiences.
  • He took Issues in Cities and Suburbs with Professor Erin Graves in Fall 2018. As someone deeply invested in urban life, he found the course was an enlightened look at the problems endemic to cities.
  • Yasser joined the Boston Beer Company as a Program Operations and Event Assistant for his first co-op. He worked on inventory, public relations, brewery events, and workspace organization.
  • He implemented community gardens all over Boston on deserted plots of land during his time as the Northeastern Campus Director for the campus’ United Nations Millennium Fellowship.
  • Yasser maintained a farm in Dorchester for The Food Project. He harvested crops, distributed produce through donations and food markets, and worked on overall logistics.
  • In 2020, Yasser won the Community Service Leadership award, given to students who show exemplary community engagement. He was recognized for his work at The Food Project, Northeastern Crossing, and more.
  • He graduated 2022 with his Bachelor’s in International Affairs and Religious Studies and his Master’s in Security and Resilience Studies, through Northeastern’s PlusOne program...