Michael Neumann ’03

Doctoral student in mechanical engineering at SCU.

Michael Neumann ’03
Math and physics: Michael Neumann with students in Tanzania

Doctoral student in mechanical engineering at SCU

Tanzania 2004–07

My two main purposes for joining the Peace Corps were to spend time in another culture and master another language. In Tanzania I learned Swahili, the lingua franca of East Africa, and taught math and physics to classes of up to 90 students at a government secondary school. I also served as head of the physics department. On the side I was in charge of the school’s orchards: supervising the planting and care of avocado, citrus, and papaya. With a Tanzanian colleague I designed, purchased, and installed a second photovoltaic lighting system in two classrooms so students could study in the evening.

After returning to the United States, I became involved with Engineers Without Borders in San Francisco, working with a community in Tanzania. We’ve developed a water distribution system and installed a photovoltaic lighting system on the dispensary. I recently finished my third trip back . A few other returned volunteers and I also started the nonprofit TETEA to support education in Tanzania through a village library and scholarships.

Long Time in the Making

Marina Iatomase ’14 married her high school sweetheart in the same place her parents wed nearly 30 years earlier: the Mission Church.

A Bilingual Storyteller

Producer Griselda Ramirez ’08 shares her experience producing Rihanna’s NFL halftime show interview and how studying Spanish at SCU impacted her career.

How to Dress to Save the World

Innovation analyst Jyotsna Gopinath ’19 discusses small steps to addressing a big fashion problem.

Keeping Current

Alexis Loera ’21, M.S. ’21 signed a new three-year contract with the Kansas City Current getting her one step closer to the U.S. Women’s National Team.