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125 Anniversary Celebration: Nadia Soares Indjai

June 4, 2025

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Editor's Note: This is a series of stories about 快活影院 students, alumni and community members, highlighting their experiences during our 125th anniversary celebration. We will feature 125 individuals from August 2024 to August 2025.

MACOMB, IL - Nadia Soares Indjai, a current public health graduate student, sees 快活影院 as an impactful institution where students are welcomed as they are, challenged to grow and inspired to move forward.

鈥淲IU isn鈥檛 just where I attend classes; it鈥檚 where I鈥檝e been challenged to think boldly, serve meaningfully and build a future that reflects both where I come from and where I鈥檓 going,鈥� Indjai said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a place where my voice matters and where my identity as a global learner isn鈥檛 just accepted but celebrated. Here, I鈥檓 not just earning a degree; I鈥檓 becoming a bridge between worlds, ready for the transformation of my community. That kind of impact starts in a place like WIU.鈥�

For Indjai, Leathernecks represent resilience and determination鈥攁 strong desire to succeed and overcome obstacles.

鈥淏eing a Leatherneck means carrying resilience in your bones and purpose in your heart,鈥� Indjai said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about rising to challenges with grit, whether you鈥檙e balancing studies and family, crossing continents to pursue your education or daring to dream of change in places the world often overlooks.鈥�

Indjai鈥檚 favorite Leatherneck memory is her first day of class, where she had the opportunity to introduce herself and share about her home country, Guinea-Bissau.

鈥淢any people had never heard of it before and I felt both the weight and the pride of representing a nation that鈥檚 often left out of global conversations. In that moment, I wasn鈥檛 just a student, I was an ambassador of my culture, my people and our untold stories,鈥� Indjai said. 鈥淲hat made it unforgettable was the curiosity and respect I received from classmates and professors. It reminded me that WIU is a place where diverse voices are welcomed and even small countries like mine can take up space and be heard. That day marked the beginning of a journey where I felt empowered to embrace my identity and use it as a source of strength in everything I do.鈥�

With students considering further studies, Indjai highlights the impact of joining the WIU community and becoming a Leatherneck.

鈥淎 Leatherneck is someone who leads with integrity and service. It means using your education not only for personal success, but also to uplift your community and create a ripple effect of positive impact,鈥� Indjai said. 鈥淲earing the Leatherneck name reminds me every day that excellence is earned and it鈥檚 meant to serve something greater than yourself.鈥�

As we honor 125 years of educational excellence, we invite local WIU students, alumni, faculty and staff to share their stories and be featured in our series. Contact University Communications at U-Communications@wiu.edu to participate.

To learn more about the WIU Public Health program, visit wiu.edu/graduate_studies/programs_of_study/health_profile.php.

Posted By: University Communications, University Relations
Phone: (309) 298-1993 * Fax: (309) 298-1606