When Mercy Ifiegbu traveled to the United States away from her family living in Southern Africa, it was to pursue a dream of a better life for herself and her sister, Grace.

Today, the Computer Science major at Montgomery County Community College is living up to that dream, after receiving statewide recognition for her work in and out of the classroom.

The 20-year-old was recently named to the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team, sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for two-year colleges, and the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges.

This recognition honors an exceptional group of community college students who have achieved academic excellence and demonstrated a commitment to their colleges and communities. To qualify, students must have completed at least 36 credits and have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

The Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges recognized Ifiegbu, as well as Psychology major Dani Arcos Narvaez and high school Dual Enrollment student Georgia Horosky with other award recipients during a ceremony in Harrisburg April 2.   

“I’m honored,” she said of the scholarship. “When I applied last fall, I didn’t know how big of thing it was. I thought I’d get a small scholarship in transfer money. It motivates me to contribute to the community. Balancing everything with classes, work, clubs has been so hard, it’s nice to get that encouragement.”

Ifiegbu, who currently lives in Chestnut Hill, began studying at MCCC in the fall of 2022.

“I didn’t know anything about the College or the States when I applied,” she said. “It was a tough situation for my family. Financially, we weren’t doing the best. I didn’t have expectations. I remember thinking I’ll just going with the flow and make the best of it. I wasn’t in the right head space.”

Ifiegbu’s parents moved to Botswana from Nigeria. Her dad is a self-made property developer. Her mom came to Botswana with her dad with a high school education. Now’s she’s a tenured professor working toward her doctorate in a computer science-related industry. They sent their daughters to the U.S. because they felt they’d have greater opportunities to find academic success. Ifiegbu and her sister came to stay with extended family members living in the U.S.

After starting at MCCC Ifiegbu, who graduates this spring, joined the International Club in fall 2022. From there she got a job on campus as a student ambassador the following February, then joined the Rotaract Club in the fall of 2023. She followed that up by joining the Codebreakers Club for Computer Science students, of which she would eventually become president along with the International Club. She then became secretary of Rotaract.

In the summer of 2023, Ifiegbu had the opportunity to attend the Bucknell Community College Scholars summer program. The six-week summer program is a residential, on-campus experience at Bucknell University designed “for high-achieving, low- to moderate-income community college students who want to take their education beyond an associate's degree,” according to its website. For students who perform well during the program, Bucknell will typically offer a two-year scholarship. Her public speaking instructor, Communication Studies Associate Professor Amanda Gatchet, suggested she apply because she seemed right for it.

“My professor's belief in me really encouraged me,” she said. “As I was coming out of a difficult headspace, my confidence in my academic ability was low and I didn't believe I was capable of getting into a competitive program such as Bucknell Community College Summer Program. I remember thinking that it was probably not for me.”

“When I was applying to universities before Montco I got in my head a lot,” she continued. “I lost confidence in myself as a student. When I came here, I thought ‘I’m going to try to get As but keep my head down.’ When she sent me that flyer for the summer program, I thought maybe I could push myself a bit more. The program rejuvenated my self-confidence as a scholar, and it made me feel I could be involved with more student activities like clubs in the coming fall semester."”

Gatchet was enormously proud of all that Ifiegbu has accomplished since she’s joined the Montco Family.

“I am so happy for Mercy,” she said. “She is smart, compassionate, and hard working. The academic success she has had so far is incredible, but she has just gotten started. I can’t wait to see all of the wonderful things Mercy will accomplish. The world is truly a better place with her in it.”

Ifiegbu also worked during the summer of 2023 as a student worker for the Information Technology Support Services help desk. The job offered flexible hours and an opportunity for mentorship, especially from members of Women in Science and Technology (WIST).

Balancing her coursework with extracurriculars and work has been difficult, she said. The All-Pennsylvania Academic Team membership notice gave her a boost to her confidence.

“It’s nice to get that encouragement,” she said. “A lot of people have congratulating me across campus, it feels good. I didn’t plan for it. I’m just trying to build up my skills and meet people. It made me want to continue staying involved in the community after I get my bachelor’s degree.”

As for which institution she’ll be transferring to after graduation, she’s undecided as of yet. She knows she’ll eventually want to continue studying Computer Science to one day become a software engineer.

“I’m a STEM kid,” she said. “I’ve always been more interested in science. I felt of all the engineering disciplines, Computer Science had the most flexibility. I could work in a hospital, or transfer and work for a bank. It’s a good skillset to have.”