Major: Software Engineering
Hometown: Tacarigua, Trinidad and Tobago
Scholarships: I received the Penn State Behrend Chancellor’s Scholarship.
On choosing his major: I have always been fascinated by technology and computers. When I started taking computer coding classes in high school, I found it interesting, and I liked it a lot. When it came time to look for colleges, I began researching good fields to get into and among them was software engineering, which really appealed to me.
Proudest accomplishment: I have been the president of the International Student Organization. I took over the presidency during a difficult time when it seemed to be falling apart, and because of my efforts during my junior year, the club is very active and thriving again.
Campus involvement: I have been involved in the International Student Organization, the Multi-Cultural Council, the Behrend Lion Entertainment Board, the Organization of African and Caribbean Students, Lion Ambassadors, Triangle Fraternity, and Engineering Ambassadors, and also served as a leader and director of Behrend’s Welcome Week this past year.
Surprising fact: When I tell people that I am an international student, they are often surprised.
Highest priority: I would like to work first on becoming financially stable. Once I am comfortable, I can start focusing on other passions, like travel.
Wanderlust: I am passionate about traveling. I love discovering and exploring new places and I love learning about new cultures.
Advice for first-year students: Learn how to manage your time early on. College requires a lot of personal responsibility. It’s up to you to do what you need to do to keep your grades up while also having a healthy social life.
Marcus will be an Android-focused engineer for Hinge in New York City.