Following in his family’s footsteps, Kimani Jackson, ’24, is the fourth member of his family to graduate from Purdue University Northwest (PNW). A double major, he will earn bachelor of science degrees in both Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering from the College of Engineering and Sciences at PNW. Jackson is the third member of his family to earn a degree in electrical engineering, behind his father and uncle.
After taking engineering classes and completing an internship with the Chicago engineering firm EXP while still in high school, Jackson knew he wanted to major in electrical engineering. He had already started his program at PNW when a friend convinced him to double major and add computer engineering to his studies.
While at PNW, Jackson served as secretary and president of The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) student branch and founding vice president of IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu (IEEE-HKN), the honor society of IEEE. Jackson applied and received a grant from IEEE-HKN to develop and offer a 3D modeling and printing workshop to the PNW engineering community. He is also a member of the Society of Engineers.
The Chicago native was a lab assistant for elementary engineering courses and the signals and systems lab course. In addition, he was an instructor for the Munster High School internship course where he taught the students Python programming.
Jackson is part of the 4+1 degree program in Electrical and Computer Engineering (MSECE) which allows qualified students to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in a five-year time period. He will spend the next year earning his master’s degree and also exploring different career possibilities.
What do you like most about PNW and the Electrical and Computer Engineering programs?
“The people and professors here are very nice and helpful and the class sizes give you a more personal connection with your professors. I also like how all the topics from the different classes connect and relate back to the real world.”
How do you think your involvement in campus organizations and activities helped define your success at PNW?
“I feel like my involvement will help me in my future career. It’s helped me work better as a team member, communicate better and feel more confident when speaking in front of a crowd. It’s also helped me improve as a leader.”
Did you have a pivotal experience while attending PNW?
“My pivotal experience would be my senior design project where I created a multi-level converter. It showed me that I still have more to learn and that failure allows you to improve and make something great in the future.”
What words of advice would you share with prospective students looking to attend PNW?
“You have to spend time studying. You can’t wait to do things last minute; you can’t procrastinate because it will come back to bite you in the end.”
Was there anyone at PNW who inspired or encouraged you along the way?
Lizhe Tan
DEPARTMENT CHAIR AND PROFESSOR OF ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING
“He is the reason I’m doing the 4+1 program and the reason I became a lab assistant. He encouraged and inspired me by offering me opportunities which will help improve me for the future.”
