Student Highlight: Chidinma Nwokorie
Meet Chidinma Nwokorie, a third-year political science major with a minor in criminal justice. As a pre-law student, she is passionate about immigration and criminal law and hopes to become a public defender serving underserved communities.
Chidinma chose to begin her college journey at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) because of its strong sense of community, proximity to home, and welcoming campus environment. Being able to attend a university she loves while remaining close to her family made CSULB the perfect fit. She was especially drawn to the way the university celebrates and highlights Black culture, something she did not often experience in high school. As a result, CSULB quickly became a safe space where she found both a sense of belonging and happiness.
Since arriving on campus, Chidinma has built a strong community when she took residence at the Black and Pan-African Scholars House (BPASH). During her two years in BPASH, she formed lifelong friendships, stayed connected to her culture, and found a home away from home. Her involvement extends beyond BPASH, as she serves as an associate justice in ASI student government, and vice president of the Nigerian Student Association. She also recently joined Black Scholars and the Black Resource Center as an events coordinator.
The person who inspires Chidinma the most is her mother. Both of her parents emigrated from Nigeria to the United States and worked hard to build the lives they have today. Witnessing their success has been a source of pride and motivation. Her mother's academic achievements, including earning a doctorate degree, have encouraged Chidinma to pursue her own goals in higher education. She hopes to follow in her mother's footsteps by embodying the same resilience, determination, and drive for excellence.
One change Chidinma hopes to see on campus is an environment where people of color feel they belong in every room they enter. She understands that being the only person of color in a space can sometimes make it difficult to feel heard or valued. Because of this, she advocates greater support and encouragement for underrepresented students. Through her involvement in student government and her relationships with campus leaders, she works to raise awareness about disparities and amplify voices that may otherwise go unheard.
One of Chidinma's proudest accomplishments at CSULB has been finding her voice. Although she has always considered herself introverted, her campus involvement has helped her become a more confident speaker and leader. Through these experiences, she has learned that she can achieve anything she sets her mind to. She believes students of color can increase their educational success by remaining resilient, embracing opportunities, and recognizing that they belong in academic spaces.
As she reflects on her new role with Black Scholars and the Black Resource Center, Chidinma is excited to give back to the community that has given so much to her. Programs such as the Black Excellence Experience provided her with meaningful relationships and opportunities, making this position a full-circle moment. She looks forward to supporting students and becoming even more immersed in the Black Beach community.
When asked what being a Black Scholar means to her, Chidinma thinks of excellence, strength, and perseverance in the face of challenges. To her, being a Black Scholar means rising above obstacles and recognizing that education is something no one can take away. She leaves her peers with a quote that reflects her outlook on life: “You never know what opportunities lie ahead of you without trying.”
