Pomona Scholar Balances Academic Excellence, Campus Community Engagement

As a sophomore at Pomona, Neyissa Desir could be content with the accomplishment of maintaining a 3.54 GPA and focusing on core studies. In less than two years on campus, however, Neyissa has already committed to an impressive mix of academic and extracurricular pursuits.

Neyissa and fellow Posse Scholar Theodore Michaud co-founded the Black Student Union at Pomona College. Neyissa also serves on the Judiciary Student Council and the Associated Students of Pomona College and is an advocate for survivors of sexual assault.

Last summer, Neyissa interned with the biochemistry department, researching Archaeoglobus Fulgidus, the first sulphur-metabolizing organism to have its genome sequence determined. She is currently studying in Pomona’s Public Policy Analysis Program and is considering law school and a profession in the public policy arena.

The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program recently acknowledged Neyissa’s promise with a fellowship designed to set her up for a future academic career.

“Posse has provided me with a community on campus. A community that has supported me and fostered opportunities for success,” says Neyissa. “As I continue my academic journey, I hope to serve as a peer mentor to incoming Posse Scholars and to support Posse’s work on my campus.”