Real Story: Jordan Riggs

Jordan Riggs

CSM Class of 2024, Engineering

Transfer Institution: North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Accolades, Accomplishments, and Highlights: Winter 2024 Student Commencement Speaker, School of Professional and Technical Studies; President, National Society of Black Engineers, CSM Chapter

First and foremost, I would like to thank God for helping me stay focused on the CSM journey. I would also like to thank my mom and dad for always helping me and believing in me and seeing things I could not see for myself; my brother, who graduated from CSM in computer science, for always being someone I can look up to and for always having my back; and my close friends, who always made it possible for me to have a good time and keep me grounded.

I want to recognize Mr. Israel Jordan of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division for being here; thank you! I would like to give a special thank you to my engineering instructor, Mr. Brian Warnecke, for challenging me to be a better engineering student and for dedicating countless hours to responding to my late-night emails.

I graduated from the best high school in Southern Maryland: Leonardtown High School. (Go Raiders!) I was a triple athlete—I played football, basketball, and ran track while maintaining a 3.7 grade point average, because my mother would not allow me to play in any sport if I did not keep my grades up.

An advisor suggested that I attend the CSM Night of Engineering because my math and science grades were pretty good. When the speaker said that, once you graduate with a bachelor's degree, you have a very high chance of getting a job in your field, I was like, “I like that deal. Where do I sign up?”

So, why engineering? My mom happens to be an engineer, and I wanted to build a legacy.

My whole life, I had been exposed to engineering. In middle school, my parents signed me up for robotics camps. I just wanted to play basketball.

Then they signed me up for space camp and an Arduino workshop. I didn't want to go to space; I wanted to play football! I didn't realize it at the time, but they were setting me up for success.

In my sophomore year of high school, I was selected for the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center for engineering. Surprisingly, I actually liked working on design projects and solving problems. I was able to launch rockets, work on my craftsmanship, and make 3D-printed objects.

So, why engineering? My mom happens to be an engineer, and I wanted to build a legacy.

I shared my concerns with Ms. Jehnell Linkins, because I felt I did not look smart enough to fit in. I'll never forget her response. She said, “Jordan, how do you ‘look smart’? I didn't know smart had a look.”

As I transitioned into my freshman year at CSM, it was a huge challenge for me. We were in the middle of a pandemic; Zoom was a new skill I had to master to be successful. I started to question whether college was for me, or if I should get a job or join the military and leave college behind.

Then I met Ms. Jehnell Linkins. I shared my concerns about the engineering program and asked her whether she thought I belonged, because I felt I did not look smart enough to fit in. I'll never forget her response. She said, “Jordan, how do you ‘look smart’? I didn't know smart had a look.”

When I heard that, it changed my whole perspective. Not just about engineering, but life in general. How many times do we look at someone and judge them based off their appearance? I assumed my peers were so much smarter than I was by the way they presented themselves.

Ms. Linkins, thank you for helping me build my confidence and remain focused. I also want to thank you for being the best engineering advisor by encouraging engineering students to be well-balanced and be involved in the community.

I challenge each of you to be the person you always needed when you were younger and to remain focused on your goals, no matter what circumstances may come your way. And remember—talk without action is just a dream.

As the president of the National Society of Black Engineers, it is our goal to network with other engineering students, to excel academically, and positively impact the community. I had the opportunity to pack and distribute food to different food pantries; read to elementary students; and offer thanks to our first responders.

I am so excited that I'll be attending North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University, the number one historically Black college and university for engineering. However, I will always be proud to be a Hawk!

Fellow classmates, I challenge each of you to be the person you always needed when you were younger and to remain focused on your goals, no matter what circumstances may come your way. And remember—talk without action is just a dream.

Congratulations and I wish you all the very best!

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Last updated: 1/25/24