Meet Kwabena and Abigail
Two members of the Class of 2025 on the importance of financial aid
“Coming to Dartmouth was more than just an academic pursuit,” says geography major Kwabena Asare ’25. “It was the beginning of a transformative journey filled with hope, growth, and the confidence to believe in myself.”
From his very first fall in Hanover, Kwabena has been navigating the “demanding but rewarding” road of scientific research. He remains determined to achieve his goal of editing the genome of a cancer-causing virus—work that may one day lead to better treatments or, even cures, for certain types of skin cancers.
“None of this would have been possible without the opportunity to study at Dartmouth, a place where I can not only dream but also access the resources and mentorship to turn those dreams into reality.”
The E.E. Just Program and its community of students and faculty have played a major role in Kwabena’s Dartmouth experience. This unique and welcoming environment has been the Ghanaian student’s sanctuary—a place where he can celebrate the joys of his research and seek support from peers who understand his experiences as an underrepresented minority student in STEM. “Whether I’m curled up on the cozy couch with a good snack while reading for class or engaging in thoughtful conversations with others who share my background and aspirations, I always feel at ease here. It’s a place where I can truly be myself, recharge, and connect with a community that inspires me to keep pushing forward.”
Outside his own work, Kwabena has enjoyed mentoring underclassmen who are eager to get involved in research. “Being able to offer guidance and support to others has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my time at Dartmouth—it reminds me of how far I’ve come and strengthens my commitment to paving the way for those following in my footsteps.”
Looking ahead, Kwabena is currently exploring job opportunities and graduate programs. He hopes to land in a place where he will be welcomed and supported.
Much of Abigail Burgess ’25’s high school experience revolved around independent research projects related to Indigenous peoples and their rights. While she was initially drawn to Dartmouth for its small liberal arts environment, it wasn’t until the Early Decision deadline approached that she discovered the opportunity to major in Native American and Indigenous studies—a field she could truly envision herself pursuing.
Something Abigail has loved about Native Americans at Dartmouth is how the student-run organization represents a vast array of Indigenous-identifying students. “I have friends who are Diné, Inupiaq, Native Hawaiian, Mayan from Guatemala, and First Nations from Canada. It’s such a treat to be surrounded by Native people from all over the world. I appreciate the times when we can share bits and pieces of our culture with one another. It’s a community on campus I am going to miss immensely once I graduate.”
With funding from the Native American and Indigenous studies (NAIS) department, Abigail spent the fall of her junior year in Eskasoni, Nova Scotia—where her grandmother and father are from—pursuing independent research and working on a short film about moose harvesting. “I researched intergenerational trauma experienced by our community and the integration of Western and traditional medicines as a treatment. I learned so much during this off-term and am so grateful for this experience made possible by the NAIS department at Dartmouth.” This research culminated in her honors thesis, titled Indigenous Land-Based Therapeutic Solutions as a Pathway to Healing Intergenerational Trauma.
After graduation, Abigail looks forward to returning to Eskasoni and working with the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources, an Indigenous-led environmental nonprofit organization in her Mi’kmaq community. Long-term, she plans to pursue more schooling: “Whether it’s studying resource management, pursuing higher education in psychology, or maybe even law school, I know I will continue to learn and apply my knowledge to help Indigenous peoples everywhere, but especially my Mi’kmaq community in Eskasoni.”