MATH & SCIENCE AREA OF STUDY
Bioscience Non-Teaching Chemistry Clinical Laboratory Science Conservation Earth Science Engineering Science Environmental Science Mathematics Physics Pre-Chiropractic Pre-Dental Pre-Engineering Pre-Medicine Pre-Nursing Pre-Pharmacy Pre-Physical Therapy Math & Science Exploratory Area of Study
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JOSEPH BONGUNGU HAS A PASSION
for helping others, the desire to make a difference in the world around him and the determination to do both. A 2013 Lake Land College Engineering Science graduate, Bongungu now works for HDR, one of the largest civil engineering companies in the world, as a water/wastewater engineer in Charlotte, North Carolina. In this role, Bongungu assists with projects through planning, design and construction phases. He creates detailed designs of water and wastewater treatment systems and collection systems under the instruction of the project engineer. Originally from Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bongungu said he still does not know how he came across Lake Land College. “I did a random Google search,” Bongungu said. “As soon as I found Lake Land, I knew it felt like the place for me.”
Melton returned Bongungu’s compliments, saying she was very proud of all that Bongungu has accomplished. “Joseph is the definition of a Laker success story,” Melton said. “He was always so driven in his studies, and I am thrilled to see him succeeding now in his field.” Bongungu also spoke very highly of his instructors, saying English Instructor Matt Landrus “was one of the best instructors [he] had” as well as Chemistry Instructor Iffat Ali. Bongungu expressed gratitude for his time as both an international student ambassador and a tutor at Lake Land.
"I WAS TAUGHT EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO LEARN...AND I THINK LAKE LAND IS JUST THE BEST ENVIRONMENT TO LEARN IN.” -BONGUNGU
Eager to begin school, Bongungu connected with Academic Counselor Jennifer Melton, who he said helped guide him on his Lake Land College path. “Jennifer was always there for me,” Bongungu said. “I was not as fluent in English at that time, and Jennifer spoke French with me so we
12 LAKE LAND COLLEGE s LAKELANDCOLLEGE.EDU
could communicate better. She was always very patient and provided the extra care I needed to help me succeed.”
“Working as a tutor made me more comfortable in my identity,” Bongungu said. “It helped me understand different ways of learning.”
Bongungu went on to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the University of Illinois in civil engineering. Attributing his success to the foundation Lake Land College provided, Bongungu said Lake Land prepared him well enough to face any kind of programs. He even convinced his younger sister to join Laker Nation as well. “Of course it was scary at first, but there is a strong sense of community at Lake Land,” Bongungu said. “I was taught everything I needed to learn, especially as an international student, and I think Lake Land is just the best environment to learn in.”
