A native of Nigeria, Qudus was the 2011 Hostos Valedictorian. He is now enrolled at Stanford University in the Chemical Engineering program. This summer Qudus is in Berlin, Germany, conducting research for Younicos AG, a company that specializes in large-scale energy storage from renewable sources worldwide. Qudus' work includes performing a "Life Cycle Assessment" on a 5MW Lithium ion battery plant that will be used for grid stabilization in Germany.

This paid internship is a continuation of the study abroad program Qudus completed last fall and is closely related to his goal of making renewable energy more accessible and affordable in developing countries. 

When at Stanford, he researches ligand exchange on nanocrystals that will be used for thin film solar cell applications. He will present some of his research at the Annual National American Institute of Chemical Engineers' Conference in San Francisco in November.

Qudus also will work as resident assistant in a dormitory that houses a majority of the transfer students coming to Stanford. He will speak at the New Student Orientation to the incoming freshmen and other new students, during which he will share his past experiences.

Scheduled to graduate from Stanford in 2014, Qudus said he is grateful for the platform Hostos provided.

"When I think of Hostos, my heart overflows with gratitude. I am so grateful for the opportunities and for the guidance I received from organizations like the Hostos Leadership Academy. Even more importantly, I am grateful for the people I met and the friends who shared their lives with me, including professors Nieves Angulo, Olga Steinberg, Nelson Nu�ez-Rodr�guez, Yoel Rodr�guez, Flor Henderson, Mohammad Sohel, Barbara Summers, and Frances Singh. They, along with staff including Jason Libfeld, Rhonda Smith, and Irene Garc�a, believed in me and pointed me in the right direction when I was totally lost."

Qudus, a practicing Christian, truly believes nothing he has accomplished would have been possible without God's help.

Qudus met fellow Hostos student Mariana Rivera through the Kaplan program. Currently, Mariana is working to help students at Smith College, where she recently completed her first semester. Mariana attended Hostos from 2010 to 2011.

Mariana, a sociology major, campaigned campus-wide at Smith College to have the Puerto Rican flag, among others, officially added to the flag displays. She is a member of the organization Nosotras that works to spread awareness of what it means to be Latina and the responsibility that comes with it. 
Mariana said she has not forgotten her days at Hostos, or the support that she received.

"I proudly remember my days at Hostos Community College. Mentors and professors like Sakeena Beaulieu, Rebio D�az, Neil Hern�ndez, Howard Jordan, Assistant Dean F�lix Cardona, along with administrative staff like Karla Contreras and Jason Libfeld, allowed me to thrive and make the best of my time at Hostos. I will always be grateful to them."

Mariana also provides support and advisement to transfer students entering Smith College, and is a Finch College Alumnae Association Foundation College Scholarship Recipient. That program recognizes women over 22 years of age who transfer from community colleges to four-year institutions.

Focused on making a difference and giving back to the community that supported her, Mariana is considering pursuing a master's degree in public policy, or obtaining a law degree.

Mariana was recently featured in a YouTube video about the relationship between Smith and the Kaplan Educational Foundation (KEF), which was shown at Kaplan's inaugural fundraising gala in May. In this video, Mariana tells how KEF helped her attain her goals and how she intends to "pay it forward."

To learn more about the Kaplan Leadership Scholars Program, go to: http://www.kaplanedfoundation.com/klp