She has faint recollections of a painful past.
She charted a path toward a bright future.
Then, just one visit revealed a different future – and a purpose – beyond what she’d ever imaged.
When Benise Nyambanguka took a tour of Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis, her college plans were settled. She was going to attend somewhere else. But it didn’t take long for her to realize a connection was being made … Here – at Harris-Stowe – was where she belonged.
“A group of 10 of us met the president while taking a tour,” recalled Nyambanguka. “She spoke to us for about 30 minutes. On my way home, I thought to myself, ‘I’ve visited the other college seven times and not met the president.’”
Home – Nyambankuga had found it. Her discovery of the school’s BackPack to BriefCase Mentoring and Scholarship Program further affirmed it.
“BackPack to BriefCase is a great, great program,” said the sophomore. “They’re making dreams come true.”
Last July, Regions Bank in St. Louis donated $10,000 to BackPack to BriefCase to support the nonprofit’s workforce development initiatives, which include educational workshops, networking sessions, resume writing assistance and more. And when the Regions Big Bike traveled to St. Louis for its latest weeklong celebration of community events, Regions associates visited Harris-Stowe to deliver lunch to students, professors and campus associates. Eric Madkins, who’s served as a BackPack to BriefCase presenter, was one of them.
“BackPack to BriefCase sparks opportunities for insightful, interactive conversations between students and business professionals,” said Madkins, Community Development manager with Regions in Missouri. “During our session, we discussed everything from careers in banking to building a strong professional network to the difference between mentorship and sponsorship. These are valuable lessons I’ve learned from mentors who’ve invested in me along the way. I’m grateful for the chance to do the same through this program.”
The personal interactions Nyambanguka experienced during her campus tour are similar to the personal connections she’s built with BackPack to BriefCase.
“This feels like a safe space where I can connect with others on a deeper level,” she said.
It’s precisely what co-founder and executive director Kendra Neely Gage had in mind when she and Larry Blue launched the BackPack to BriefCase in 2009.
BackPack to BriefCase sparks opportunities for insightful, interactive conversations between students and business professionals. Eric Madkins, Community Development manager
“We wanted to create a sustainable program that affords students a safe space to ask questions, receive critical feedback and grow their professional and personal networks,” said Gage. “BackPack to BriefCase was designed to develop participants’ soft skills and their executive IQ.”
Nyambanguka has seen – and felt – Gage’s commitment.
“Mrs. Gage is so invested – not only in the program, but also in the students,” she said. “She wants to learn about us; she checks in on us. She’s also been really open about her own life and struggles; she connects with us on that front as well.”
Growing pains are typically part of any journey. Remember Gage’s mention of critical feedback? Activities like mock job interviews and networking sessions deliver valuable learning moments.
“I really appreciate the correction because I know it’s for my betterment,” Nyambanguka said. “You don’t always want to hear it; you’ve built these habits, and you think you’re so right. But then you realize maybe you’re not.”
Gage has seen Nyambanguka flourish, including serving as president of the African Student Union and as a peer tutor. She was also recently recognized as the top scholar of her BackPack to BriefCase cohort.
“Benise has leaned into the vision by engaging others and growing her network,” she said. “She is a sponge. You can see the spark in her eyes as she processes how she is going to use this experience to go to the next level.”
What does that next level resemble? A summer internship with a nonprofit, then travel abroad. She credits a BackPack to BriefCase presenter for inspiring her to book a trip to Kenya to explore pursuing a career in international relations. Nyambanguka will use the cohort scholarship she received to help fund the trip.
One of the most important things BackPack to BriefCase has taught me is to own my story of being born in a war-torn country – to walk with it, to own it with pride.Benise Nyambanguka
“I want to work with UNICEF, specifically in the Eastern part of Africa or the Democratic Republic of Congo,” she said.
It’s a mission that’s especially personal.
“My family and I arrived in the U.S. in 2007 from the Democratic Republic of Congo as refugees following the massacre,” Nyambanguka said. “I was three years old when we came, so I don’t remember much of the trauma, but I do think the experience has shaped my resilience in the face of adversity.”
Nyambanguka credits her mom for her faith in Jesus, her father for her passion for learning and Gage for helping her find her voice.
“One of the most important things BackPack to BriefCase has taught me is to own my story of being born in a war-torn country – to walk with it, to own it with pride,” she said. “It’s about knowing you are just as qualified in spaces as the next person.”
Seeing that confidence in Nyambanguka and other students inspires Gage daily.
“After each cohort, I am better because of the lives we get to impact,” she said.
And supporters like Regions remind Gage she’s not in it alone.
“Community partnerships like this one not only allow us to impact student retention and graduation rates, they also help us develop and identify talent pipelines to elevate the workforce in our St. Louis region,” she said. “We, together, are creating the next generation of leaders, influencers and change makers.”