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Niecia Say’s journey to Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) took her across the ocean and back with more than her fair share of challenges and heartbreak to overcome along the way.

Say was born in Decatur, Georgia, to Dr. Martial Venance Say, a professor of chemistry, and Olivera Atse, a caregiver. When she was 10, the family moved to Ivory Coast in West Africa, where her father was offered a job at the University of Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan. Say moved to France with her sister in 2018, where she finished high school, and returned to the U.S. in 2020.

Upon her return to the U.S., her uncle suggested she attend GGC. After a bit of research, she decided to give Georgia’s newest college a try.

“My uncle suggested I major in data science,” she said. “I was hesitant at first, but surprisingly, I ended up loving it.”

While her uncle helped her find the right major, information technology, it was always her father who instilled in her the drive for higher education.

“My father received his Ph.D. in chemistry from Georgia State University and was a senior lecturer in Ivory Coast,” she said. “He always emphasized the importance of education. So, I decided to fight for mine.”

Say was still considered an out-of-state student when she started at GGC since she had just returned to the U.S. from living in France, so she could only take two classes a semester at first. The slow pace made it feel like she might never graduate, but she never stopped plugging away.

In May 2022, not halfway to Say finishing her required courses, her father unexpectedly passed away. The shock of the loss threw her life into chaos, emotionally and financially.

“I lost my best friend, my biggest supporter and the person who made me love school,” said Say. “Grieving was hard, and life no longer made sense. But after some time, I shifted my mindset. I told myself, ‘I have to make my dad proud. I have to make my family proud.’”

Without her father’s financial help, Say explored every possible resource offered on campus. That led to her applying to be a resident assistant (RA). She wasn’t sure she’d get a position but figured it was worth a shot. To her surprise, she got it.

“Becoming an RA changed me. I discovered leadership skills I never knew I had. I found joy in mentoring residents, helping them navigate college life and sharing the resources I had found helpful.”

Say said she felt overwhelmed at times, and there were moments she was envious of students who were graduating while she was still struggling. She even considered dropping out. She said her father’s voice always told her to stick it out in those times. Looking back, she said she knows she stayed on the right path, thanks to him.

“Deep down, I knew my time would come,” she said. “Through it all, I held onto one truth:  I do my best, and God does the rest.”

After graduation, Say plans to keep following her father’s direction and pursue a master’s degree in data science.

“I always envisioned this moment with my dad by my side, celebrating my achievement,” she said. “Though he is not here physically, I know he is watching over me with pride.”