Paula Sefia (Khoury ’26) is a third year Computer Science and Cognitive Psychology student who participated in the National Society of Black Engineer’s 50th annual conference. She used the Honors Travel Enrichment Award to help fund this valuable professional experience.
“Through the Honors Travel Enrichment Award (HETA), I was able to participate in the National Society of Black Engineer’s (NSBE) 50th annual conference in Chicago, Illinois! I was able to learn more about how the advocate for myself and my community as a Black engineer, how to develop professionally and advance my career, and how to network with people beyond my Northeastern community and learn more about diverse experiences from college students, research students, and professionals in the field! Additionally, I’ve never been to Chicago before, so I got to explore downtown and take a lot of fun pictures (I also did try deep dish pizza, and it was expensive but delicious)!”
What other activities are you involved in on campus?
- Clubs: Black Engineering Student Society (Secretary); Northeastern University Women in Technology (Co-Outreach Chair); Computer Science Mentoring Organization (Mentor); Presidential Ambassador Corps (Presidential Ambassador); Honors Alumni Mentoring Network (Mentee); Legacy Mentorship (Mentor); ColorStack (Member); Women’s Community of Code (Volunteer)
- Language and Mind Lab (Lab Manager)
- Teachers Assistant for CS 2500
What is your favorite Honors memory?
I would say my favorite Honors memory was the first week before school started when I got to experience the Honors Welcome Week activities (e.g. speed friending, trivia, the scavenger hunt, etc.) I had an interesting experience visiting Northeastern’s campus during Orientation Day, and I was very afraid of the process of making friends, but Honors Welcome Week is where I met my best friends who I still hang out with to this day (Game Night is this Friday)!
What events or activities would you recommend to new Honors students?
I cannot recommend HEC events and the annual HEIST series of workshops enough! They are a great way to take breaks from the stress that classes and other activities bring while also connecting with new Honors members and familiar faces through an engaging activity! For example, there was an HEC event I went to in December where I got to design a hoodie, and this semester, I hung out with my sophomore year roommates and some of my other friends at the HEIST charcuterie board workshop!