“My motto is to live uncomfortably, comfortable,” said Senge Ngalame, a 2011 graduate of Talladega College.
Ngalame is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Public Health (DrPH) with a concentration in Behavioral Health Education and Promotion at Jackson State University (JSU). She chose to attend JSU because she desired to start and end her academic endeavors at historically black institutions.
In addition to pursuing advanced degrees, Ngalame recently competed in the Miss Black USA Pageant, the first and largest scholarship pageant for women of color, awarding over $500,000 in scholarships. She said competing in this competition enabled her to show young African American women that they do not have to fit into the ‘mold’ that society has created for them and to remain true to themselves.
“Being able to compete in the Miss Black USA Pageant was a very humbling experience for me,” Ngalame added. “Not only was I representing the state of Georgia, but I was also representing my family in Cameroon.”
In addition to her academic and extracurricular endeavors, Ngalame has been accepted to the Peace Corps in Botswana, South Africa. She will serve two years working alongside public officers to coordinate and implement district-wide activities focused on HIV/AIDS prevention, care, treatment, and services for orphans and vulnerable children.
Ngalame was drawn to volunteer with the Peace Corps after traveling to Nicaragua and Belize for mission trips. While there, she worked in health clinics and assisted in finding clean drinking water for citizens in underserved villages and communities.
“My life’s mission is to always be of service,” she said. “Being able to serve in the Peace Corps is another opportunity for me to continue that mission.”
According to Ngalame, Talladega College fueled her desire to immerse herself in different cultural experiences. She attributes her ongoing thirst for exploration and servitude to her professors. “I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for them,” she said. “They encouraged and exposed me to different opportunities that boosted my morale.”
After completing her studies and service in the Peace Corps, Ngalame plans to create mentoring programs that teach children how to become assets to their communities through social and political advocacy.
