FOSSI: Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Anayah Walker, but I also go by Nya. I was born in California and I am the oldest of five kids. I am also valedictorian at Renaissance High School for the Arts in Long Beach, California. I am an ambitious student who is very goal driven and always tries her best to not shy away from a challenge. My area of study in STEM is mechanical engineering. Going to a HBCU will not only enrich my college experience but also provide a place to be more involved in my community.
Crocheting is one of the hobbies that inspired me to go into STEM. When I make a pattern for my crochet projects, math concepts like arithmetic progression, geometry, and measuring is involved to get the right shape and size.
FOSSI: Why are you passionate about pursuing a degree in a STEM-related field?
I am passionate about pursuing a degree in a STEM-related field because I have a love for applying math to the real world. Seeing how an equation can represent the volume of a shape, the system of a machine, or the motion of a person is very fascinating to me. Growing up, science always interested me. Pursuing a career related to the subjects I am most excited about and potentially being able to benefit my community are dreams of mine.
FOSSI: Why is receiving the FOSSI scholarship important for you?
Receiving the FOSSI scholarship was important to me because receiving it made me more than sure about my decision to choose STEM since God blessed me to be one of the few selected to get the FOSSI scholarship to help pay for my schooling. Getting the FOSSI scholarship also showed me that others believe in my potential as a young Black woman in STEM.
FOSSI: Fast forward – where do you see yourself in ten years?
In ten years I see myself getting more hands-on experience in my career while I also work on my PhD in mechanical engineering. I envision myself working on a project to convert appliances, devices, and more automobiles to be powered by cell fuel to reduce the emission of carbon in the atmosphere to minimize climate change.
FOSSI: Share a few fun facts about yourself.
Crocheting is one of the hobbies that inspired me to go into STEM. When I make a pattern for my crochet projects, math concepts like arithmetic progression, geometry, and measuring are involved to get the right shape and size. Even though I am driven to STEM, filmmaking is a hobby I also enjoy. If given the opportunity, I hope to one day see how the attractions and animatronics work at amusement parks like Disneyland and Universal Studios.
If you’re a company interested in supporting outstanding, diverse STEM talent, learn how you can become a FOSSI sponsor and make a lasting impact.