Alumni Stories
Alumni Movers & Shakers - Freeman Honors College Alumni Stories
Carolina Graca, a proud graduate of Texas Southern University, hails from Cabinda, Angola, and has carved a remarkable path in the world of transportation and logistics. Drawn to TSU for its strong STEM programs and unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion, Carolina found the university to be a place where she could not only thrive academically but also feel truly at home as an international student. The real-world experience of the faculty and the welcoming campus environment gave her the foundation she needed to grow and dream big.
Ms. Carolina Graca
One of Carolina’s most cherished memories at TSU was attending the Tiger Ball in 2022. The event was a celebration of alumni, donors, and student excellence, and it marked a turning point for her. “The energy in the room was incredible,” she recalls. “I felt a deep sense of pride being part of a legacy that uplifts future generations.” That night, surrounded by supporters of TSU’s mission, she felt inspired, empowered, and seen.
Throughout her graduate journey, Carolina came to understand the power of resilience and the strength of community. Navigating the challenges of graduate school wasn’t always easy, but the support she received from her professors and peers carried her through. “TSU taught me that perseverance pays off, and that I never have to face challenges alone,” she reflects.
Looking ahead, Carolina is determined to leave a lasting impact. With plans to continue her work in the maritime and energy sector, she’s also passionate about furthering her education and mentoring future TSU students. Her dedication was recently recognized on an international stage when she was named one of the Energy Leaders for Tomorrow by the Energy Intelligence Forum in London—an honor she hopes will inspire others to pursue ambitious goals and make their mark on the global stage.
To those just beginning their TSU journey, Carolina offers heartfelt advice: “Believe in yourself, even when the odds feel stacked against you. Build connections, ask for help, and don’t hesitate to take up space—you belong here, and your story matters.”
Carolina Graca’s story is one of determination, excellence, and boundless potential in diverse fields. She leaves TSU not just as a graduate, but as a future STEM leader ready to reconfigure the world we navigate daily.
Ms. Omokhuwele Umoru is one of the most outstanding Freeman Scholar seniors. Omo, as she is known to her friends and peers, is from Edo State, Nigeria, and is currently conducting research in the field of Computational Physics and Mathematics. She joined the Honors College as a 2nd-semester freshman and she graduated in May 2024. She hopes to someday be a data scientist and computational physicist. During the summer of 2023, Omo received an internship award at the Flatiron Institute’s Center for Computational Mathematics in New York. Below is the transcript of our short interview.
Omo standing outside the Flatiron Institute in New York City, July 2023
Can you tell us about your research?
My research at the Flatiron Institute’s Center for Computational Mathematics is based on Computer Vision. Computer vision research aims to develop algorithms and computer programs that enable computers to interpret and understand digital images and videos. This technology has a wide range of important applications in our lives, including but not limited to robotics, healthcare, surveillance and security, transportation, as well as augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR). Computer vision research has the potential to improve our lives in numerous ways by enabling us to process, analyze, and interpret visual information more effectively and efficiently.
Creating AR and VR-assisted simulations of physics experiments is actually one of the short-term goals of the research project that I am involved in this summer.
What has the Honors College done for your personal growth and development?
The Honors College has been a beacon of hope and support for me since becoming a Freeman Scholar. In addition to the generous financial support I receive, I have also been exposed to various research opportunities and scholarly programs that I would have otherwise never been privy to. I am able to work on becoming the best version of myself daily and carrying on Dr. Freeman’s lasting legacy. The College has been a home away from home at Texas Southern University with a wonderful community of like-minded individuals.
How do you feel about being one of the featured scholars of the Thomas F. Freeman Honors College?
I feel immensely grateful and I would also love to recognize the achievements of all the other
scholars in the honors college. I am proud to be a part of this program and to have the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in our field. I am excited to continue my academic and research pursuits and to make a positive impact on the world.
What are your plans for the future and how do you intend to get there?
I aspire to matriculate into a computational nuclear physics Ph.D. program. I am currently on the lookout for a master’s to Ph.D. bridge program with the hope of matriculating in Spring 2024.