Vaulted by Connections, RCBC Graduate Emmanuel Lewechi Earns Co-Valedictorian
Photo of Emmanuel Lewechi courtesy of Rowan College South Jersey.
AC JosepH Media/Rowan College Burlington County
MOUNT LAUREL — Rowan College at Burlington County student Emmanuel Lewechi, an aspiring storyteller and screenwriter, didn’t know where to start at the beginning of his own college story.
Admittedly apathetic about where to go and what to do for college, he decided the first step in the right direction was to get an associate degree at RCBC, majoring in communications.
Lewechi’s apathy stemmed from depression and jadedness, preconceived notions of inferiority, and impostor syndrome, which had been rampant since high school. It was in his very first college class that two of his friends helped him reignite his spark. Meeting them was the first time he encountered someone who would approach him, starting a conversation and seeking a connection.
“It was shocking that somebody would literally just say, ‘Hi, what’s up? You want to make a study group?’” Lewechi said.
Thus, his story was born. “That was the connection that made it worth it for me to be here,” he said. He is now graduating with a 4.0 GPA and speaking at the Humanities, Business, and Social Sciences ceremony at spring commencement as co-valedictorian—but it was the connections he made that helped him go the distance.
The people he met and bonded with in these experiences have reminded him that finding family at school and work is possible. Many of them boosted his confidence and helped him succeed, such as the Brothers Achieving Excellence (BRAVE) Program Coordinator Marcus White and his BRAVE brothers—who help male students of color succeed in college—Welcome Center Manager Mimi Oliviera, and his Peer Mentor colleagues, who help students traverse college life.
They often encouraged him to speak up. “Mimi bought me something at the Wellness Fair because I just mentioned, ‘Hey, I kind of want that…’” he said.
They also encouraged him to try out new things. “Marcus is the one who helped me do all of the outside experiences.”
Last summer, he spent time on Princeton University’s campus as a Transfer Scholar Initiative participant, taking classes and earning college credits at the Ivy League school. Right now, he is one of 467 semi-finalists awaiting a response from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation on a scholarship, where he would earn money as one of the most educationally exceptional students in the nation. He’ll decide where to transfer from there.
“It was all through other people,” Lewechi said.
His studies aim to take him into the film industry. Lewechi is a massive fan of television but ultimately loves narrative in any form, like movies and video games. Although he studies writing at RCBC, he also keeps his cinematography skills in his back pocket.
“I have a good knack for visuals…I don’t mind sticking up a camera if need be,” Lewechi said.
Lewechi’s summer will be dedicated to personal growth. With the help of friends, he plans to hone his skills in film, which includes putting together a short film adaptation of his friend’s work and perhaps shooting a music video.
“Without a shadow of a doubt, this is what I want to do with my life,” Lewechi said.
Lewechi and his fellow graduates will face a significant transition when they receive their associate degrees. His message for them is simple: don’t fill your brain with thoughts of not being good enough.
“I don’t want anybody to be like me, where they were thinking, ‘Oh well, maybe I’m not supposed to get this job,’” Lewechi said. “I think a lot of people set themselves back in their mind already before they do something…I really want to lean into the fact that people need to try.”
Lewechi will speak as co-valedictorian at the HBSS ceremony May 14 on campus. For more commencement information, visit rcbc.edu/commencement.
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