An 18-year-old Nigerian named Emmanuelle Ilok, who secured the RISE scholarship in 2022, has been accepted to 11 prestigious universities in the United States. Emmanuel, a student at Greenspring Schools in Nigeria, received admission offers from a range of top-tier institutions, including several Ivy League schools.
The universities that extended offers to her include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, Yale University, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, Columbia University, Georgia Tech University, Washington University, University of Chicago, Duke University, and Granger College of Engineering.
Emmanuelle earned the esteemed RISE program scholarship in 2022 at the age of 16, which not only acknowledged her academic prowess but also provided financial support for her higher education pursuits. Her RISE project, titled ‘CodEd,’ focused on enhancing computer science education in public schools compared to private institutions by offering teacher training, student curriculum development, and internship opportunities.
The RISE program stands as a flagship initiative within a $1 billion commitment by Eric and Wendy Schmidt to nurture talent and drive development across various domains. This program identifies promising individuals aged 15 to 17 and empowers them to tackle community challenges using their ingenuity and passion.
Emmanuelle excelled at Greenspring School, garnering numerous prestigious awards and achievements. She achieved an impressive score of 1500 on her Scholastic Assessment Tests. Additionally, she distinguished herself as a top participant in the Young Tycoons Business Challenge (YBTC) by developing an app aimed at addressing insecurity in Nigeria.
Attributing her success to the education she received at her school, Emmanuelle emphasized the institution’s focus on instilling effective communication skills, ethical values, and a spirit of community engagement through local projects.
Emmanuelle draws inspiration from Benjamin Franklin’s quote, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest,” underscoring the pivotal role of education in addressing societal challenges. She noted that her RISE project aligns with Sustainable Development Goal No. 4, “Inclusive Education for All,” advocating for equal opportunities for students in both public and private schools to access quality Computer Science education.
Recognized as one of the top Young African Yale Scholars, Emmanuelle’s project, titled “Introductory Computer Science/Coding Curriculum and Training Relevant and Accessible for Teachers and Students in Nigeria,” reflects her commitment to promoting computer science education in her home country.
Expressing her aspirations on LinkedIn, Emmanuelle revealed her ambition to become a Software Engineer. She expressed a keen interest in machine learning, deep learning, and artificial intelligence, aiming to leverage these technologies to address global challenges.