Daniel Kelechi Elendu ’19

Daniel Kelechi Elendu

Macedon Technologies, Reston, VA
Field: Technology

"We want students to cultivate their skills instead of ‘just volunteering’. If they are showing they are interested, we should hold their hands and meet them half-way. We want them to feel that they get more out of VHP than what they put in."                                                   

- Lila Meade talking to me about her vision of VHP for students in 2019.

I was already a student president with VHP when I heard these lines from Lila, who would definitely not remember saying this now. Those phrases capture what VHP has been for me - meeting people along a journey at Vassar and beyond, encountering cultures and various forms of art, striving for sustainable impact, and understanding and fostering partnerships. The world beyond college will definitely challenge me in these aspects, and I am truly grateful for my experiential education with VHP. 

With the project, I found space to grow upwards and outwards as a learner, leader, friend, and person with visions and ideas. The opportunities I had to set up and discuss art led to the exploration of the historically rich Haitian culture and how it shows up in the present. I was part of different teams that did various big and small things which taught me about flexibility. And more importantly, how to be sure to have a great time while doing great things.