Strong Academics and a Close-Knit Community

For Tina Imanlihen ‘28, it was the research opportunities which made her choose Elmhurst University, and the community she found here that made her stay. 

After earning her associate’s degree from Moraine Valley Community College near her hometown of Tinley Park and transferring to a different local university, Imanlihen just didn’t feel a connection to her new school like she had hoped to.  

“It just didn’t feel like I belonged at my other university; I felt uncomfortable,” Imanlihen said. 

But after discovering that Elmhurst offers a physics program, and a partnership with the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) so she could double-major in mechanical engineering and earn both of the degrees she wants to achieve, making the switch was a no-brainer. Elmhurst offers interconnected subjects and fields for a well-rounded curriculum and professional preparation. 

Endless Opportunities

Imanlihen was awarded several transfer and STEM-related scholarships from Elmhurst, as well as being invited to participate in research only a few weeks after applying. Through these kinds of opportunities, students can acquire knowledge and skills for enduring success. 

“The research opportunities and the scholarships I was granted really drew me to the school; I’d never done research in my life before,” Imanlihen said. 

The focus of her research last summer was astroparticle physics and cosmic ray showers. 

“We’re trying to find out what exactly is contained in those rays,” Imanlihen said. “We’re being hit by cosmic showers every single day, so it’s very interesting to learn about outer space and this stuff we don’t see, but is always there with us.” 

Finding Her Home

In addition to taking advantage of research opportunities, Imanlihen is very involved on campus as a member of the Promotion of Underrepresented Minorities in Academic STEM (PUMA STEM) Alliance, which focuses on strengthening underrepresented minority student success in STEM at primarily undergraduate and regional institutions.  

She is also engaged with the Honors Program and the Elmhurst University International Student Association (EISA). She even met her best friend through a STEM-related networking opportunity. 

Robert Halliday, visiting professor of physics and Imanlihen’s mentor in the PUMA STEM program, has made a particularly profound impact on her and her experience at Elmhurst by supporting her research initiatives and academic goals. 

“The teachers are amazing; they care about you and what you have to say, what you have to bring to the table,” Imanlihen said. Faculty like Halliday are engaged in their field as active scholars and practitioners, which provides students with best practices and professional connections, encouraging them to develop a thirst for learning and embrace challenges with an open mind. 

Imanlihen and her family immigrated to the United States from Nigeria when she was 15. Her family members attended university in Nigeria, so she is a first-generation college student in this country. At Elmhurst, Imanlihen finally found that sense of belonging she had searched for in the past.  

“I have found my community; I have people I can talk to, people I can go to when I need something,” Imanlihen said. Elmhurst’s caring community cultivates an inclusive space with a diverse student body, so students can feel comfortable to be themselves and excel in their collaborations and future careers. 

Passion and Purpose

And when it comes to her future, Imanlihen is taking it one step at a time. She loves what she does and what she’s learning, and hopes to channel her education and experience to excel in a career where she can follow her passion of improving sustainability and helping the environment.  

Imanlihen plans to apply for a National Science Foundation grant. If she receives it, next summer she will focus her research on sustainability. She is certain that the supportive atmosphere at Elmhurst will help her succeed wherever her path takes her next. 

“I love the collaborative environment of Elmhurst University,” Imanlihen said. “The people here are very welcoming, no matter where you’re from, or the different ideas or views of life, they just want to hear about it. I don’t feel like I’m an immigrant here, I feel like I’m just a regular person going to school, which is really cool.” 

Go Far. Do Well. Visit elmhurst.edu/Admission to take the first step towards your future.