Courageous Kissa | Meet Nabrakissa S. #SetTheTableIntern
Kissa is an ambitious and creative college student navigating engineering and the arts as a first-year student at NYIT. Initially pursuing mechanical engineering, they are planning on switching to electrical engineering. Outside of academics, Kissa is deeply involved in their college’s photography club, where they serve as an e-board member. Through this role, they have learned new skills in photography, editing, and creative direction. They are also building a collection of digital cameras, to help with their exploration of the visual arts.
Kissa’s journey is one of resilience, determination, and a strong commitment to living up to their name. They are named after their great-grandmother on their father’s side, “Kissa” translates to “courageous” a trait they carry with pride. While they don’t always see themselves as the bravest, they embody courage and determination, facing challenges ahead of them never giving up, and staying determined even when the path is unclear.
A Drive for Stability and Freedom
Growing up, Kissa didn’t always feel a sense of stability. They learned early on that relying too much on others could sometimes lead to uncertainty. These experiences motivated them to become independent and to build a life where they could care for themselves and their family without having to be too dependent. For Kissa success isn’t just about personal achievements but about having the freedom to live how they see fit.
Seeking Connection and Community
While academics and things out of that field are important, Kissa also values the power of community. They are a part of their school’s Black Student Union (BSU) but being at their school as a freshman they recognize that their school lacks a close-knit community. Many students are focused on their paths and closed off. making it difficult to build lasting connections. Recently, they found inspiration a recent The Dinner Table, an organization fostering sisterhood and mentorship among women. Seeing strong, supportive connections within the group made Kissa realize how much they yearned for that kind of community especially as a minority in STEM. They want to get involved, to learn from those who came before them, and to help others who might be facing similar struggles.
Passion for Art, Expression, and Adventure
Though their main focus is engineering, Kissa has a deep love for creativity and self-expression. They are drawn to art, museums, and photography, and they’ve recently been learning how to showcase fashion in a way that reflects their personality. They enjoy biking, roller skating, and staying active, but one of their biggest personal goals this year is to attend concerts and explore new forms of music.
Traveling is another dream they are working toward. As a child, they didn’t have the opportunity to explore the world, but now they’re determined to change that. Their current goal is to study abroad—an experience they hope will open doors to new cultures, perspectives, and personal growth.
Words to Their Younger Self
If Kissa could go back and talk to their younger self, they would offer one simple advice: “Everything is going to be okay”.
There were times when Kissa felt trapped in negative experiences, believing that things would never change. But through perseverance, they’ve learned that life is constantly evolving. The struggles they once faced don’t define them, and the future holds endless possibilities.
Kissa’s journey is far from over. As they continue to grow, explore, and push forward in their engineering career, one thing remains certain: they will do so with courage, determination, and open living up to their name KISSA.