We asked our first class of graduates about their NewU experience, plans for the future, and more. These are their stories.
Interview with Aziel
Q: What was your Capstone Project about?Â
The Role of AI in Shaping Student Decision-Making & Enrollment Trends in Higher Education: A DMV Region Analysis
Q: What are your post-graduation plans?Â
I am going to work in web design, and pursue writing on the side.
Q: Do you plan to attend graduate school?Â
I do plan to attend graduate school after gaining work experience.
Q: What is your best memory during your time at NewU?Â
Busboys and Poets with Professor Mitch, the NewU video game tournament, and the 4-Hour soccer game at the Lincoln memorial.
Q: What is your favorite thing about the NewU experience?Â
It’s a close knit community and that gives you the opportunity to know your peers on a personal level.
Q: What advice would you give your younger self about starting college?Â
Academics are important but set aside more time to explore and socialize, loosen up.
Q: What advice would you give to a freshman student?Â
There is no such thing as a useless lesson, you’ve just gotta find what parts apply to you.
Interview with Alexia
Q: What was your Capstone Project about?
How can machine learning be used to identify distinguishing characteristics of phishing emails to improve detection and mitigation efforts.
Q: What are your post-graduation plans?
I am going to work as a contractor for the Department of Defense.
Q: What is your best memory during your time at NewU?
Meeting friends and going out to lunch.
Q: What is your favorite thing about the NewU experience?
You get your degree in only 3 years. No summer semesters, no extra classes!
Q: What advice would you give your younger self about starting college?
Focus on your goals.
Q: What advice would you give to a freshman student?
Be open to trying new things.
Interview with Erianne
Q: What was your Capstone Project about?Â
Business plan for Acclimate – a pet starter kit provider
Q: What are your post-graduation plans?Â
I am going to work on launching my business.
Q: Do you plan to attend graduate school?Â
Yes, I plan to attend graduate school after gaining work experience.
Q: What is your best memory during your time at NewU?Â
Visiting various places in DC for classes and the experiential learning opportunities around town
Q: What is your favorite thing about the NewU experience?Â
The community of classmates, professors, and people working at NewU.
Q: What advice would you give your younger self about starting college?Â
Have confidence.
Q: What advice would you give to a freshman student?Â
Have a plan. Time management is important.
Interview with Grant-Austin
Q: What was your Capstone Project about?Â
Can Holistic Treatments Benefit Individuals with Autism and Help Control Symptoms
Q: What are your post-graduation plans?Â
Work as an Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and continue my education to become a clinical therapist.
Q: Do you plan to attend graduate school?Â
Yes, but first I want gain work experience.
Q: Have you already worked or interned in your field?Â
Yes.
Q: What is your best memory during your time at NewU?Â
Having good debates with the classmates and teachers in and outside of class.
Q: What is your favorite thing about the NewU experience?Â
The people that the school brings as guest speakers that you can network with.
Q: What advice would you give your younger self about starting college?Â
Do NOT procrastinate.
Q: What advice would you give to a freshman student?Â
Take up the professor office hours.
Interview with Jada
Q: What was your Capstone Project about?Â
Sunday Love – my new healthy soul food business.
Q: Tell us about your business idea.Â
Sunday Love is a food truck serving up healthy soul food with a modern twist—think comforting, flavorful classics made with fresh, nourishing ingredients. We bring the warmth of Sunday dinners to the streets, with dishes that feed the body and soul.
Q: What are your post-graduation plans?Â
Transition to full-time at my current employer to get more experience and start working on setting up my business Sunday Love.
Q: Have you already worked or interned in your field?Â
Yes.
Q: What is your best memory during your time at NewU?Â
A lot of the fieldtrips and networking events/opportunities.
Q: What is your favorite thing about the NewU experience?Â
Class schedules were soooo good and compatible with my work schedule.
Q: What advice would you give your younger self about starting college?Â
Don’t be afraid to speak up and stand out, change starts with you.
Q: What advice would you give to a freshman student?Â
Speak up when needed, you may not be the only one thinking a certain way and it’s best to share your thoughts and explore different views.
Interview with Aaron
Q: What was your Capstone Project about?Â
Inefficiency of prosthetic production in the United States
Q: What are your post-graduation plans?Â
I plan to become a officer in the army and then go to graduate school.
Q: What is your best memory during your time at NewU?Â
I can’t pick one but my best memories is going out with friends from the school.
Q: What is your favorite thing about the NewU experience?Â
The community is great and exposed me to many new ideas.
Q: What advice would you give your younger self about starting college?Â
Stay focused on what matters which is my education over other non-academic challenges that you may have outside of school.
Q: What advice would you give to a freshman student?Â
Participate in community building because it is the best way to learn and have a impact on the people around you.
Interview with Jonathan
Q: What was your Capstone Project about?Â
Business Plan for my startup
Q: What are your post-graduation plans?Â
Architectural Sales Representative and continue working on my business idea.
Q: Do you plan to attend graduate school?Â
Yes, for sure, but after gaining work experience.
Q: What is your best memory during your time at NewU?Â
Some many! Hard to say, very grateful to attend NewU.
Q: What is your favorite thing about the NewU experience?Â
The struggle and the joy.
Q: What advice would you give your younger self about starting college?Â
Get ready for a journey, might be hard but worth it.
Q: What advice would you give to a freshman student?Â
Trust in God always!
Interview with Mecselder
Q: What was your Capstone Project about?Â
Career Paths ABA Center
Q: Tell us about your business idea.Â
An ABA based therapy center that can empower the youth with autism to learn employable and socially impactful skills.
Q: What are your post-graduation plans?Â
Social worker
Q: Do you plan to attend graduate school?Â
Yes, eventually. But will work first.
Q: Have you already worked or interned in your field?Â
Yes
Q: What is your best memory during your time at NewU?Â
All the professors have been great.
Q: What is your favorite thing about the NewU experience?Â
The flexibility that the class schedule provides for maintaining a balanced school/work life and a nice break on the weekends – every weekend is a 3-day weekend.
Q: What advice would you give your younger self about starting college?Â
Enjoy it, it goes by so fast.
Q: What advice would you give to a freshman student?Â
Get close with your classmates, they make the experience better.
Interview with Temi
Q: What was your Capstone Project about?Â
Resale Platform for Nigeria
Q: Tell us about your business idea.Â
The first in the country mobile secondhand platform built around how locals already buy and sell.
Q: What are your post-graduation plans?Â
I am going to work at a law firm in Houston where I previously interned.
Q: Do you plan to attend graduate school?Â
Yes in a few years.
Q: Have you already worked or interned in your field?Â
Yes, I did a summer internship between my second and third year at NewU with an immigration law firm in Texas.
Q: What is your favorite thing about the NewU experience?Â
No classes on Fridays!
Q: What advice would you give your younger self about starting college?Â
You’ll do great, just figure out how to get off your bed early.
Q: What advice would you give to a freshman student?Â
Always try your best.
Interview with Ronald
Q: What was your Capstone Project about?Â
Market Ready Homes Business Plan
Q: Tell us about your business idea.Â
Market Ready Homes is a company that helps homeowners prepare their homes for a successful sale. Our highly trained team will quickly increase your home’s value through an easy, affordable, and stress-free process where homeowners don’t pay anything until the house is sold.
Q: What are your post-graduation plans?Â
Expand my business
Q: Do you plan to attend graduate school?Â
Not at this time
Q: Have you already worked or interned in your field?Â
Yes
Q: What advice would you give your younger self about starting college?Â
Spend your college time wisely. Set clear priorities and take consistent action.