Having grown up in a missionary family, it’s probably not surprising that first-year Missouri S&T student Kaitlyn Dunahee, of Kansas City, Missouri, intends to use her education to help others.
For National Engineers Week 2023, the theme is “Creating the Future” and Dunahee encapsulates this theme by aspiring to create a better future for those in need.
Although Dunahee only started her civil engineering studies at S&T in August 2022, she already has some ideas on how she could accomplish just that.
“I hope my civil engineering degree and background will enable me to fund projects or be the boots on the ground myself to help others in impoverished areas,” she says. “This could include building water treatment plants or drinking water purification systems for communities in other countries that don’t have access to clean drinking water.”
One area that Dunahee is currently interested in researching as an engineer is waterborne pathogens, as this research could potentially benefit the people it hopes to serve in impoverished areas. This is similar to the water quality work her father is already doing as an environmental engineer for Burns & McDonnell.
Dunahee says her parents inspire her. She looks up to her father’s engineering background and has watched both of her parents contribute to Agape Pamoja, a non-profit organization that serves primarily African refugees residing in Kansas City, Missouri. Agape Pamoja means “love and community”.
This has led to Dunahee getting involved in organizing and looking for ways to help others, which she finds rewarding.
“Growing up as a missionary boy for African refugees in Kansas City, I found myself interested in seeing my African friends succeed in life and have new opportunities they might not otherwise have,” he says.
“We have done a lot together, including home renovations, food distribution, education and life skills. They taught me to be inclusive and to appreciate other cultures, which has led me to seek out and appreciate different cultures here at S&T.”
Even though Dunahee’s journey as an engineer has only just begun, she says she’s excited for the future and knows Missouri S&T will prepare her for whatever comes next.
“Missouri S&T will help me develop the problem-solving skills and knowledge needed to be successful,” she says. “I look forward to using this education to help make a difference in the world.”
About Missouri S&T
Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is a STEM-focused research university of more than 7,000 students. Part of the University of Missouri’s four-campus system and located in Rolla, Missouri, Missouri S&T offers 101 graduate degrees in 40 areas of study and is among the top 10 universities in the nation for return on investment, according to Business Insider. For more information about Missouri S&T, visit www.mst.edu.
