When Olivia Onodu walked as a graduate during this year’s May commencement ceremony at Northern Kentucky University, she was in familiar territory. The senior environmental science major has worked as a commencement marshal each year since enrolling at NKU, leading students on and off the stage to receive their diplomas. This semester, she took the stage, capping off a rigorous undergraduate experience: In addition to her degree in environmental science, she minored in both chemistry and graphical information systems, making the Dean’s List each year. 

“It’s like everything’s coming full circle,” Onodu says.

Onodu’s interest in environmental science came early. Growing up, her parents prioritized educational programs over typical summer vacations during breaks, sending her to different schools to see which subjects she liked.

“One of the programs involved agriculture and environmental science, which I instantly clicked with,” she says. “In college, my love for environmental science got stronger and being in research involving it has also solidified my decision to stick with this major.”

Her introduction to NKU came through her older brother, who participated in a Governor’s Scholars program on campus when Onodu was in middle school. 

“I got to see things from a child’s perspective,” she says. “I remember thinking, ‘This campus is so amazing.’” 

Her brother’s positive stories about his time in the program backed up this early impression. When she toured campus herself as a prospective student, she fell in love with NKU, especially since it was one of the few schools in the region offering a major in environmental science.

For Onodu, one of the best aspects of NKU’s environmental science program was its required co-op research internship, which she feels has better prepared her for the real world and pushed her to explore different aspects of the major. By completing multiple internships each summer, she was able to better figure out her interests in the field.

“The professors really do care,” she adds. “They want to make sure you’re doing alright, even outside of college and research. Anything that you need: any resource, any recommendation, any study tips, they’ve got you.”

After graduating, Olivia plans to work for a year to gain more professional experience before pursuing a master’s degree. She recommends that incoming NKU students take advantage of the university’s resources, emphasizing its supportive community. She also recommends avoiding comparing yourself to others.

“Everyone's at a different point in their lives,” she says. “I think that everyone just needs to understand their own path and their own journey to be successful.”