James Loy 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast by the host and guests may or may not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Miami University.

Student 

I'm a senior, I'm about to graduate, and I've done a lot of cool things in college.

Student 

I never thought that I was going to be an intramural curler. I never thought that I was going to be the student body president.

Student 

These four years have been the biggest amount of growth I've seen in my entire life.

Student 

It's not just about the academics, but like, what kind of person you turn into, which is super cool.

A'Dymond 

I thought I was gonna be by myself all the time, um, for the first, like, three months, I was, um, I felt like I didn't really have like, any, like, close friends, so I wanted to, like, come here and be more social. And then I was like--

Michaela 

--so did you end up finding people that first semester, or did it take you a little bit?

A'Dymond 

Um, I did, because I was in like, scholar programs, so that helped a lot. So we had to come here, like, a week early. Oh, and we had, it was like, I want to say it was like a group of, like 40 of us. We were, like, new incoming freshmen, and they had, like, a little game night for us. So we got to, like, meet all the different scholars and like the new people, and then we all like, hung out in this girl's room. That's like, where her and I, like, still friends to this day, like the best of friends. So we all hung out in their room, and then we all just kind of like, that was the first time I really, like stayed up with people. Because normally I would like stay up, but like, be by myself. So it felt really nice. We were just like, playing card games and, like, watching TV and stuff. So it was pretty fun.

Michaela 

Oh, that's such a fun first day at college memory. I don't even mine was just like, going to the dining hall for the first time. Of course, mine involves eating, but I, like, genuinely, don't, I don't remember the, like, very first night. So it's sweet that you have like, such a distinct memory, yeah? And that you're still friends with that girl.

A'Dymond 

Yeah, we're like, the best of friends, we talk every day ever since.

Michaela 

Sinc that, like, first day. Yeah, that's kind of how me and my roommate are. I talk about her a ton on here. She's probably like, stop talking about me. But yeah, these are some of the memories that we make in college, and ones that I think will truly last for the rest of our lives, and moments I'll cherish forever, and those are some of the things we talk about on this podcast. So I'm excited to chat. My name is Michaela Buck, and who are you?

A'Dymond 

My name is A'Dymond Sammons. I'm an electrical engineering major with minors in Humanitarian Engineering and English studies.

Michaela 

Very cool. And what are kind of--  some of the things you're involved in here on campus.

A'Dymond 

I am the president of the Black Leadership Coalition, and I currently serve on the Region Four Board for the National Society of Black Engineers, as the treasurer for the 2025-26 term.

Michaela 

Whoa, that's so cool. Can you like delve into that a little bit more, or just how you got involved with that.

A'Dymond 

So when I first came here to college, I was kind of scared of being an engineering major. I'm a first-gen college student, so I truly was like, I don't know what to do. I don't know what I'm doing. My academic advisor, she helped me get into NSBE. We have a chapter here, and then from there, I became chapter president. I was chapter president last year. And then from like the chapters, you go to like the regional conferences. So there's like FRC, which is the fall regional conference, and then the Regional Leadership Conference. And then you go to like AC, which is like the annual convention. So it's like all the regions combined. They meet somewhere. They have a conference. So when I went, after I was done with my presidency, and I, like, brought on the new president, which, like me, him, and then one of our other friends were all, like, really good friends, and we hang out all the time. I had said that I was done doing leadership positions, and-

Michaela 

Famous last words.

A'Dymond 

No, literally. And then we get to, like, annual convention, and I see they still have like, spots left on the regional board. And we had had like, a conversation before I came and I was like, would that be crazy if I run for something on the regional board? And he was like, no, I don't think that's crazy. So then he was like, I'm gonna go nominate you for something. And I was like, okay. I was like, don't tell me which one. Don't say it. I said, once you go up there, I'm gonna just know. So he went up there for treasurer, and I was like, I don't know anything about finances. And I was like, I'll figure it out. So then I took the nomination, and then you have, like, your little like, Q & A, you have to get up there in front of the whole region, and then like, answer questions. Some of the like, advisors are asking questions, the senators, because they're, like, trying to figure out, like, how you're gonna be a good treasurer and stuff. Come to find out, everybody liked me. But in the moment, I was like, these people hate me. What am I doing up here? Yeah, and here we are.

Michaela 

Yeah, that's so-- who is in that region, so to speak, is that, like, multiple states, or who are you really representing?

A'Dymond 

So it's Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan. And then we also have a chapter that's like, overseas. It's in Africa. I can't remember which country, but yeah.

Michaela 

Wow, that's really impressive. Were your fears about engineering, just kind of like with workload, or what was yours like, maybe misconceptions about the major before you kind of got into it, because I know you said you were you said you were scared choosing that as a major, but what have you learned through your experience here?

A'Dymond 

I think I was scared because I didn't want to be the only one in the room. So, like, I didn't want to be the only girl in the room. I didn't want to be the only person of color in the room, which, like, sometimes you are and you kind of just have to, like, let it rock out, which it hasn't really been that bad, like being here with the workload and everything. I will say this semester, it's a lot heavy because I'm doing my senior design and then I also have like, two labs and, like, project heavy classes. And I think something that people don't tell you about engineering is even though, like, I was a 4.36 GPA when I graduated high school, I had like 32 college credits, and I came in with like, an associate's degree, so I'm like, you know, like, I'll be fine-- wrong.

Michaela 

That's relatable, though, yeah, things every high school student is always like, I'm on top of the world. I'm gonna enter college. It's gonna be so easy. Then you, like, get smacked in the face.

A'Dymond 

It's a very humbling experience. I've called my parents crying. And like, fully my dad was like, I'll be there in 45 minutes. Our drive is an hour and 15. And I was like, I don't-- I was like, I don't need you to come here. I just need you to listen to me, because it's like, and also they feel like they want to help, but then they like, don't know how, because I'm the only person in my immediate family who's going through this. And even, like, my mom actually went back to college. And she's like, this is so hard. But she's doing like, business, and she was like, I understand your frustration. I'm like, yes, sister girl, like--

A'Dymond 

We're in it together.

A'Dymond 

Gotta get it,

Michaela 

Yeah. Oh my gosh. And I feel like a lot with what you said about having a high GPA, and you're probably very involved in high school, I'm assuming just--

A'Dymond 

I wasn't.

Michaela 

Oh, really? So your involvement started here.

A'Dymond 

Yeah.

Michaela 

Wow, that shocks me.

A'Dymond 

Yeah, no, I was very shy, very timid. High school me and middle school me would be surprised at how I turned out. I was very shy. Didn't really talk to anybody. I had, like, my few friends, but I came to college, and I was like, I'm gonna do a full 360 like, I actually saw somebody from my high school at the conference, the Region Four conference that we hosted last weekend. And he was like, oh my God. And he was like, hello. And I was like, hi, how are you? And it was just such a like reflecting moment to be like, yeah, like, I never would have thought you would be here. And I was like, neither did I, but here I am.

Michaela 

Well, what do you think inspired that transformation? Because I feel like most people who want leadership positions in college or whatever have done that in their past, so when you got here, were you just like, I want to reinvent myself, so to speak, or--

A'Dymond 

I think I honestly don't even know. Let me not say I don't know. Um--

Michaela 

You could say that, that's valid.

A'Dymond 

 I'm gonna say I don't know what, what I wanted when I got here, because when I for, like, when I first stepped foot on this campus, I was like, I'm just getting my degree, and my resident director, I stayed at Hepburn Hall. My resident director, she saw me my freshman year, and I was just kind of like having a hard time. I was just telling her about it, and then she had told me to apply to be an RA. And I was like, girl, I don't want to be responsible for nobody. I've never did anything like that in my life. Why would you recommend that? And I told my mom, and she was like, I think you should think about it. And then it just kept, like, being on my mind. And I was like, All right, I'll do it. And I kind of, like, snowballed effect and made me like, get into wanting to be more involved in NSBE and like, the exec board, and then I made me be more involved in like NSBE period, and then now I'm on the regional board, and then for like, the BLC President stuff like that.

Michaela 

Yeah, absolutely. So it was kind of like one thing after another, you're like, okay, I kind of like this, I can do a little bit more I can do, yeah, I feel like that's how it goes for a lot of college students. And in the same way, I do know people who also are having that mindset of, I'm just gonna get in, get my degree and get out and get a job, whereas, like, we talk on this podcast so much about maximizing all of the options that you have. And like, there are so many different avenues, and you never really know what you can accomplish unless you're putting yourself out there very actively and becoming an RA and then joining Nesby and stuff like that. I just feel like it's very inspiring, and you would be such an inspiration to the younger version of you.

A'Dymond 

Yeah, I agree. I definitely cry about it a lot.

Michaela 

Yeah, more tears. We were talking about how we were crying earlier.

A'Dymond 

I literally, was just like, wow, like six year old me would see myself and be like, who is this woman? Yeah, it makes me emotional.

Michaela 

I was gonna say no, but it is. It's like, so inspirational, and that's kind of the goal I feel like, of college, and especially, probably, I'm assuming being a first generation student like that is such a unique experience. And like, you kind of don't have, maybe the support that students whose parents did go through college do have, and so, like, just like, all the impact that you've made is really, really encouraging. How has that been being a first gen student, is that, are there trials and tribulations with that experience? Or, like, maybe, do you want to share a little bit about that?

A'Dymond 

Um, it's hard to, like, hear people saying, like, oh, like, I'm in engineering because my dad's an engineer, and, like, I don't really want to do this, and I'm just sitting here, like, I am pulling tooth and nail to even, like, get B's and A's in this classes, and they're like, oh, like, this is second nature. I do feel like it. It helps me a lot to even, like, be around people to say, like, oh, like, there's nobody in my family who's an engineer. I'll be the first in my family, and they're shocked. And they're like, wow. Like, well, do you need help with anything? Like, I think that was a culture shock for me, was being here and having so many people help me, yeah, because I was always the person to help people. And I'm like, at first, I fully, like, did not ask for help. I didn't even tell, like, teachers, like, oh, I truly don't know what I'm doing, but now I'm like, hey, I need help. Yeah, I don't know what this is. Let's figure it out.

Michaela 

Yeah. And there's no shame in that. That's something I agree again, same with, like, being in high school, and you can kind of just cruise through, but once you get to college, you're gonna face some sort of obstacle, whatever it may be, even if that's not academic, and like, making sure you're reaching out and having, like, some network of support is so vital to your success. Like even I just went to office hours today, and sometimes I don't love doing that, but I know that it's so important because you also just get an in with, like, your professor, you can form that relationship. But like, they're gonna, they want to help you. Most people want to help you. They want to see you succeed. And I feel like asking for help is so stigmatized, maybe. And like, I feel like, the more you do it, just yeah, the more successful you're going to be.

A'Dymond 

I agree, 1,000%.

Michaela 

What do you see in store for yourself this senior year? I know you've accomplished a lot thus far, so I guess. What do you hope happens by May?

A'Dymond 

I actually want my senior design to go well, at first I was kind of upset I didn't get into the three choices that I put because there's like, 19 options.

Michaela 

Can you explain more about that? Because I don't really know much about senior design, or, honestly, really, in general, yeah, I feel like I'm surrounded-- I don't have any engineering friends. Now I think about it,

A'Dymond 

Engineering. How do I put it. For my major at least it's like, you, you don't really know what you're doing, and then one day it all just clicks. I'm in the position where it's all clicking, but now I'm to the point where it's like, okay, this is like, more advanced stuff. Now I gotta put in a little extra time, but like, when it comes to, like the labs and everything, it's really, like trial and error, or, like, there was one time I was in a lab, and then my even my professor was like, how did you do that? And I was like, that's not what we're supposed to be doing? What are you talking about? He was like, oh. Then he changed it. And I was like, oh, so I just had to click this. And then he was like, yeah. He was like, what'd you do? And I was like, I thought I was doing it, right? So for my senior design, we're doing like, a app that you pick it, you take a picture of, like a pet's tongue, or, like livestock, and it tells you, like, what's wrong with it? It's kind of--

Michaela 

Like throughout its whole body?

A'Dymond 

Like, yeah, like, if it has, like, a, yeah, but it's like, we have to say it's not used for diagnosis because of, like, ethical reasons, um, but it's kind of like, based off of the Chinese and Japanese like health care, how they use, like, tongue to diagnose, like, what's going on in people's body. So I was a little upset because I didn't, I didn't want anything to do with that. I was like. This isn't what I picked. Like,

Michaela 

I'm not passionate about tongues people.

A'Dymond 

I literally was like, this is an app. Like, I'm an engineer. I don't know anything about apps. Like, what am I doing? Yeah, but I will say me being-- having an English studies minor, and really being passionate about, like, reports and like writing and very organizational. That's where I'm, like, holding my group up with right now, and I still am, like, learning about how to make the app, because I'm also with like, computer science majors, and they were talking about, like, SQL--

Michaela 

Any of that coding stuff. I'm really not well versed, but I commend people who know what they're doing.

A'Dymond 

Yeah I'm like, sitting here going through the code, and they're like, do you see anything wrong? And I'm like, give me, like, two hours, I was like, let me look at this really, and figure out what I'm looking at. Yeah.

Michaela 

But yeah. It's like a different language.

A'Dymond 

Yeah. Doing that, it's kind of helped me figure out, like, not figure out, but kind of like, working in an environment where, like, Oh, this is something that I didn't really want to do, but now I'm like, now I want to see it work right now. I want to see it do what it needs to do.

Michaela 

And now I want to contribute, right? It's like, I feel like, yeah, maybe in a setting like that, it could be hard because it seems so technical, like an app is something you're not very used to. But yeah, yeah, you can contribute in your writing ways or whatever else. Yeah, that are your strengths. Do you have any plans for your post grad?

A'Dymond 

Yeah, I do want to do product and development or either research and design, so like, basically just implementing my engineering skills into, like, making real world solutions, things like that. I do want to get my master's in business administration.

A'Dymond 

Okay, that was gonna be my next question, because I feel like a lot of engineering majors pursue higher education.

A'Dymond 

Yeah, um, I thought about getting an engineering degree for my master's, but I just need a break. Like I was talking to my professor, and he was like, you just always look so like upset in class. And I'm like, I'm not upset. I promise. I said, I'm just trying to figure out what this is.

Michaela 

It's my concentration face.

A'Dymond 

He was like, no, it's fine. He was like, Are you thinking about getting a master's? And I was like, in this? I just need a break. I need a break. Maybe I'll get it later in life. Maybe I won't. I don't know.

Michaela 

Yeah, who you don't need to know right now, yes, for a couple years down the line.

A'Dymond 

 And that is one thing that people don't talk about. You don't have to have everything figured out. And I felt like I had to.

Michaela 

Yeah, even, especially it's funny, like, now I know less about my future than I feel like I did when I was a freshman. I came in freshman year guns a blazing, like, yeah, this what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna have an internship this summer, this summer, this summer, this summer, this summer, and then I'm going to accept a return offer and work in DC. Like I had this whole plan, and nothing ever goes according to plan listeners.  It's seriously like, it college takes you every which path, and it's just very interesting, because I'm not anywhere where I thought that I would be.

A'Dymond 

Yeah, but you're still, like, in a good position. So it's like it cancels out.

Michaela 

Yeah, I don't know what I'm doing, but I think it's good. Very cool. Are you gonna do your MBA right after? Or--

A'Dymond 

I'm gonna go ahead and do it just because I'm already in the flow of things.

Michaela 

So if you could give advice to your freshman year self, what would it be? Or just any prospective student in general?

A'Dymond 

To my freshman year self. And also, for listeners, it's gonna be okay. Yeah, whatever you're afraid about, it's gonna be fine. And then also, don't think that you have to have everything figured out, which we just talked about, it's okay to kind of be like, oh, like, I want to do this, and then you see it being more beneficial than another thing. Then take that step. Wow. I'm lowkey preaching to myself, but I was just complaining about something earlier. OMG. Listen to yourself.

Michaela 

Take my own advice, right? For sure.

A'Dymond 

Okay, carrying on , just making sure. Like, if there's something that you're kind of like teetering against, like, oh, I want to do this one thing. I want to do another thing. If the other one is going to make you more beneficial and make you more on a business route, do it.

Michaela 

That's good advice, though, because I feel like sometimes you really have to weigh your options, and it's not always what you saw for yourself, but you have to follow that like whatever is most beneficial to your life right now, or what's in addition, or what you see benefiting your future is really like what you have to pursue, even if it's not what you thought it would be, absolutely yeah. Well, thank you so much to A'Dymond for coming on the podcast. It was so much fun chatting with you.

A'Dymond 

Of course.

Michaela 

Yay.

A'Dymond 

They're giggling. Were we funny? Was it funny?

Michaela

A’Dymond Sammons is an Electrical Engineering major at Miami University, where she is also minoring in Humanitarian Engineering and English Studies. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in product development and research to create innovative solutions to improve lives, while promoting efficiency and sustainability. 

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