Ismail Warsame

I was born in Somalia and immigrated to the US with my family in 2001. With limited English I faced linguistic, academic, and cultural difficulties that hindered my chances to continue my education beyond high school. I attended the Upward Bound Math Science Program at the University of Maine. In retrospect, I look at my TRIO experience as having boosted my cultural capital. It is also fair to say that, besides my family, Upward Bound was the single most important influence in leading me towards higher education. I have decided to give back and become and educator myself. To that end, in different capacities, I have worked two summers with Upward Bound at the University of Maine. Currently, I am a faculty member at Oregon State University, where I advise international students and teach first-year students.