Growing up in Nairobi, Kenya, Ethan Muriuki made a hobby of looking out for planes, reading about cars, and learning as much about technology as he could. Now living in Lowell, he is studying Electrical Engineering at Middlesex Community College. As he continues his education, he is interested in focusing his studies on technology, renewable energy and machines.
“My experience at MCC has involved exposure through diversity and learning, support during challenges, opportunities through scholarships, and appreciation from the people I have interacted with,” Muriuki said. “I chose to come to MCC because it was a cheaper alternative compared to starting off at a four-year institution.”
While in Kenya, Muriuki lived in a rural farm area, but attended school in the city. This experience taught him to adapt well to different environments, setting him up for success when he started at a school in a new country. His interest in aircrafts and cars led him to study electrical engineering and he chose MCC because of small class sizes and more affordable tuition.
His interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) comes from wanting to learn how to find solutions for problems. The more he dives into a subject, the more he wants to understand. The subject “sparks more curiosity and is fascinating.”
In his classes at MCC, Muriuki enjoys collaborating on projects and lab work with his classmates and professors. He believes working with others helps to make more sense of a subject, provides motivation, and leads to stronger study skills.
Physics professor John Smith has inspired Muriuki’s passion for STEM even more through Smith’s knowledge, patience, clarity and humor. Although sometimes challenging, Muriuki believes “resilience during challenging times such as hard classes is important for it to get better.”
At Middlesex, Muriuki stays busy as a member of the TRIO Program, African Cultural Club and Brotherhood Club. He also works as a peer mentor in the Success Scholars Program and was an Orientation Leader in the summer of 2022 to help new students adjust to college life.
“I chose to come to MCC because it was a cheaper alternative compared to starting off at a four-year institution.” - Ethan Muriuki
After he graduates from MCC, Muriuki will transfer to UMass Lowell and continue studying electrical engineering. In the future, he hopes to work as an engineer in the aviation industry. His time at Middlesex has helped him adjust to learning in the U.S. classroom and offered him meaningful experiences inside and outside of the classroom.
“My education from MCC will help me complete half my degree, strengthen my understanding of diversity, support me financially through the MCC Foundation scholarships, and give me guidance and motivation through the experienced faculty and friends I meet,” he said.