Alumni Currents
Staying in touch with our family of graduates
ALUMNI CURRENTS // RICHMAN SIANSMBI ’07
Seizing a chance “I
Richman Siansmbi's graduation as a mechanical engineer from WWU was made possible by a scholarship through Ford Motor Company. “Without that support, I would not have made it through college,” reflects Siansmbi. His journey to the United States would not have been feasible without this opportunity. So he seized it: “My education at WWU was a miracle. It was a blessing that I had that scholarship because I didn't have to work too hard outside school to pay my tuition.” While these humble beginnings were a roadblock, Siansmbi gained a beautiful perspective on the resources that are available to students at WWU. He says, “There are students here that have so many opportunities and privileges. They just don’t utilize what they have to their full potential. People might not see the opportunity
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Westwind Fall 2023
that’s right in front of them.” Siansmbi now owns Digital Scan 3D, a successful engineering consulting company that aims to provide clients with quality assurance of their products through reverse engineering. With offices in both Portland and Seattle, Digital Scan 3D has done work with Boeing, Intel, Nike, Ford, General Motor Company, and others. Siansmbi worked hard in his years post-graduation; at times working two full-time jobs plus conducting his own research for what would become Digital Scan 3D. Siansmbi encourages current students to go the extra mile and take advantage of all the opportunities that WWU offers them— research projects, internships, and technology. While in university, students have the opportunity to master the skill of working on a team. Siansmbi has learned from experience in the
workplace that being able to work well on a team is one of the best predictors of success in the engineering field. Siansmbi at Digital Scan 3D has even been able to give a few WWU students internships and jobs post-grad. School teaches you how to think, but solving problems in the real world is always a little bit different. “I think most people have
the potential and if they are determined to, they have a goal and they want to achieve it, I think it’s achievable through God’s help. As long as they put in their time and they are honest and they are faithful, I believe that anything is possible.”
PHOTO: COURTESY OF RICHMAN SIANSMBI
was born in Zambia, Africa. I came from a poor family where, although we didn't struggle to eat food, I was disadvantaged. I did not even know how to use a computer. There weren’t computers at the school I attended. But I was determined, and I came here.”
