Omondi named October Project Strive/TRiO Student of the Month

Omondi, a senior from Kisumu, Kenya, said he chose CSC because he had planned to play sports but later decided to focus on his education. Chadron State’s small classes and professors also assisted his decision.

Family and Consumer Sciences’ Professor, Dr. Lorie Hunn, said she admires Omondi’s positive nature.

“David is a wonderful individual who is very deserving of the Project Strive/TRIO Student of the month. He is an exceptional person who is compassionate, hardworking, and has an infectious personality. Those who come in contact with David leave a better person,” Hunn said. “He is an excellent role model for the young children he works with in the public-school system as well as those students he encounters on the CSC campus. The world is a better place with individuals like David Omondi on it spreading goodwill.”

Omondi is currently pursuing a degree in mathematics with an endorsement in middle level math education (Grades 5-9). He said his favorite class is Statistics because he loves math and values learning new information.

Jennifer Schaer, Director of Project Strive/TRiO, said Omondi’s passion for learning allows him to help his fellow students.

“David is an excellent student and is always willing to help out other students. Earlier this year, we had a Strive student struggling in math and I asked David if he would tutor him, and David said ‘Yes’ without hesitating,” Schaer said. “David will be student teaching next semester and it will be great to watch him change and mold young minds in the area of mathematics.”

Omondi’s future career plans include teaching in the U.S. for a couple of years and then going back overseas. He wants to make a difference for students who don’t have many resources and he wants to give them the high-quality education they deserve.

Ted Tewahade, Chadron State College’s Title IX Coordinator, said Omondi’s drive and willingness to assist others makes him stand out.

“David is an amazing young man who goes out of his way to help staff, student, and strangers. He is passionate about exercise and a healthy lifestyle and would help anyone by creating a workout plan. David is the type of young man CSC is proud to have,” Tewahade said.

Chadron State College’s Project Strive/TRiO program, located in the lower level of the King Library, is an academic enrichment program committed to help students succeed. Project Strive also focuses on career exploration, cultural and social enrichment and self-awareness. To be eligible for the program, a student must be one of the following: A first generation student where neither parent has a four-year degree, meet low income status based on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services criteria, or have a documented disability. For more information, visit csc.edu/projectstrive.