When Ama Frimpomaa Agyare-Addo arrived in Morgantown from Accra, Ghana, she had never toured campus, met her classmates or experienced life in the United States. What she did have was a clear goal: to pursue an engineering education that would prepare her to solve real-world energy challenges.
Story by Sloane Heagerty, Storyteller
Photos by
At the West Virginia University Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, senior Ama Frimpomaa Agyare-Addo has built an academic and leadership experience shaped by hands-on learning, campus involvement and a global perspective.
Agyare-Addo’s decision to study in the United States began with a desire to expand her academic and professional opportunities. After completing high school in Ghana, she applied to several universities and ultimately chose WVU. She noted that the University’s engineering program, combined with the scholarships she received and its emphasis on hands-on learning, aligned with her goals.
“I grew up in Ghana. I did my high school in Ghana, but I always wanted to be able to study outside of my country, because I felt like it would be a really valuable experience for me and my career in the future. I picked WVU because they gave me the most scholarships to start with, but I did more research and saw that I would get the type of hands-on engineering education I was looking for,” she said.
Her interest in engineering was influenced early on by her father, a civil engineer in Ghana. Observing his work and approach to problem-solving encouraged her to pursue a similar path, though she chose electrical and computer engineering after researching career opportunities within the field.
“I just, I really loved his passion for his work and how good he was at his job as an engineer. He is somebody that has a problem solver mindset and thinks really critically. And he was somebody that was really valuable to the company that he worked for, and that was just inspiring to see,” she said.
Throughout her time at Statler, Agyare-Addo has emphasized the importance of both academic and personal growth. She described her experience as one that required persistence and adaptability, particularly within a rigorous engineering curriculum. Laboratory components of her coursework provided opportunities to apply theoretical concepts, reinforcing technical skills in areas such as circuits, programming and system analysis.
“My favorite [experience at Statler] has been being able to form connections with the people that I've met through clubs or through classes, and being able to find that sense of belonging in a place that's outside of my home country, away from my family, it's been being able to find so many different opportunities that I think have really helped me grow as a person,” she said. “Those are the things that I value the most within Statler and like WVU as a whole,” she said
In addition to academics, Agyare-Addo has been actively involved across campus. She currently serves as a resident assistant in Oakland Hall, a laboratory assistant in the Statler biometrics lab and a Statler College ambassador. She is also vice president of the National Society of Black Engineers chapter at WVU, where she previously held roles as secretary and treasurer.
Her involvement with the National Society of Black Engineers began during her first semester, when she attended an organization fair in search of community. Through the organization, she has participated in professional conferences across the United States, including trips to Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia and the Washington, D.C. area. These experiences provided opportunities for networking, professional development and peer connection.
“I started getting more involved with NSBE, and I just really fell in love with it because we got to travel for conferences, and that was particularly exciting for me, because I hadn't really been anywhere outside of West Virginia, since coming to the US. So just the idea that I get to travel to a conference, and there's other black engineers that are also motivated. I really, really love that idea,” she said.
Agyare-Addo noted that finding a sense of community has been one of the most meaningful aspects of her time at WVU. As an international student, she described the process of building connections and adjusting to a new environment as challenging, but ultimately valuable. Her involvement in student organizations and leadership roles contributed to her sense of belonging and helped her develop communication and teamwork skills.
Looking ahead, Agyare-Addo plans to work in sustainable energy, with a focus on power systems. She is particularly interested in addressing global challenges related to energy access and reliability. Drawing from her experiences in Ghana, she aims to contribute to the development of systems that improve efficiency while reducing environmental impact.
“I want to work in sustainable engineering, specifically within Power Systems,” she said. “I feel like the power industry is changing so dynamically … and I want to take my degree and be able to help to develop more sustainable energy systems for underserved communities,” she said.
Reflecting on her time at WVU, Agyare-Addo emphasized the importance of using available resources and getting involved early. She encourages future students to seek academic support through tutoring and office hours, while also participating in student organizations to build community and leadership experience.
Agyare-Addo described her overall experience at Statler as one that has supported her growth academically, professionally and personally. Through coursework, campus involvement and industry experience, she has developed both technical knowledge and the interpersonal skills needed to pursue a career in engineering.