In a recent conversation with Executive Director Lynda Colucci, Sabah Naji shared a journey defined by resilience, determination, and a deep commitment to education and community leadership. Sabah and her family immigrated to the United States from Nairobi, Kenya in 2006 when she was just four years old, fleeing civil unrest in their home country. Through that experience, she learned early that education was more than an opportunity – it was a pathway to stability, growth, and creating a better future.

Sabah’s academic journey has evolved in inspiring ways. Initially guided toward Human Services through what she described as a “system of luck” during high school, she earned an Associate’s Degree in Human Services while also studying Mechatronics. When the COVID-19 pandemic shifted both educational and career landscapes, Sabah redirected her focus fully toward technology, mechanical systems, and engineering. She recently completed her Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology and will begin her Master’s program this fall at SUNY Polytechnic Institute in New York.

What makes Sabah’s story especially compelling is how she combines technical excellence with a passion for people and service. She credits her Human Services background with strengthening her communication skills, volunteer work, and ability to lead initiatives within her community and on campus. During her undergraduate studies, Sabah served as President of SUNY Poly’s Women in Engineering Club, where she led technical programming, outreach workshops, and mentorship opportunities for fellow students. Her leadership, perseverance, and commitment to empowering others embody the values of the a/e ProNet Engineering Scholarship and the future of the engineering profession.