Emmanuel Edusei

Emmanuel Edusei knows that his passion for service is a gift. He embraces Ut Prosim as a way of life by seeking out opportunities that enable him to share his time and skills with others.

Emmanuel is a Ph.D. candidate in urban and environmental design and planning in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. He previously received his master’s in public and international affairs at Virginia Tech.

Emmanuel is a caring and driven Hokie. He found his place by exploring campus and its resources. He said he continues to find his place “when others can ask me questions about the resources they need, and I can point them to the right place because I have been there or know where to find them.”

His calling for service naturally led him to VT Engage. His nominator said that his commitment to community stands out in his work with the alternative breaks program, which provides week-long immersive service opportunities to students.

Emmanuel has given his energy to service-learning trips focused on environmental sustainability and preservation, health, and education, and to non-violence, justice, community-building, and conflict resolution.

The nominator said, “Emmanuel brings a thoughtful and committed mindset to his service work.”

In the summer of 2024, he went on an alternative break to the Dominican Republic to conduct professional development workshops for high school students.

While there, his nominator said, “He asked thoughtful questions to our partners to better understand the long-term effects of the work we were doing and the root causes of the issues the communities faced.”

Emmanuel cultivated community with VT Engage’s service partners and student leaders in the Dominican Republic by leading meaningful conversations, drawing on his personal experiences and his studies.

As a graduate student, the nominator said, “Emmanuel has been able to challenge undergraduate students to think about how service shows up in their academic and professional lives.”

His teacher and learner mindset also shines through his work as a graduate teaching assistant for the Center for Engineering Excellence and Discovery, where he teaches a first year seminar.

“Emmanuel is able to share his own experiences with his students and continue paying forward a commitment to Ut Prosim as a way of life,” said his nominator.

After he finishes his Ph.D., Emmanuel hopes to build a career that protects and improves communities through academic research and sustainable physical development.

For embodying the spirit of service, Student Affairs is proud to present the Aspire! Award for Embrace Ut Prosim as a Way Of Life to Emmanuel Edusei.