My Road to Commencement: Olanrewaju Ayodele

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — Olanrewaju Ayodele, an international student from Nigeria, will receive a master’s degree in civil engineering as part of the Penn State Harrisburg Class of 2026. Here, he shares his journey through higher education:

“I moved to the United States from Ogun State, Nigeria, in the fall of 2024 to pursue my graduate studies, carrying with me a deep passion for infrastructure and its impact on everyday life. I chose Penn State Harrisburg because of its strong academic reputation, supportive environment, and emphasis on hands-on learning. From the moment I arrived, I knew I was in a place where I could grow academically and professionally.

“My journey, however, was not without challenges. Moving alone to a new country came with a sense of loneliness at first, but over time, I found community among fellow African students on campus. Those connections helped me adjust, build friendships, and feel at home in Middletown, Pennsylvania. My upbringing also played a major role in helping me stay grounded. I come from a religious family where I was raised with love, discipline and resilience. My mother, in particular, has been my greatest source of strength and motivation. Her intentional support toward my education keeps motivating me, and I owe most of my achievements to her.

“During my time at Penn State Harrisburg, my academic focus has been on integrating emerging technologies into civil engineering systems. My master’s thesis explored how immersive virtual reality environments and artificial intelligence-driven feedback can improve training outcomes for wastewater treatment plant operators. I was driven by a simple but powerful question: What if we could train operators in a safe, controlled environment where they can learn from real-world scenarios without placing them at risk? Through this research, I found that VR [virtual reality] and AI [artificial intelligence] can enhance training effectiveness, improve safety and reduce costs by allowing users to interact with complex systems in a more engaging and adaptive way.

“In addition to my thesis work, during the summer, I had the opportunity to serve as a research intern under the supervision of Rebecca Bascom at Penn State College of Medicine on a pollution-prevention grant. I worked on training workers in the cleaning industry on the safe selection and use of cleaning products. This project incorporated VR visualization and mobile-based toolkits to improve knowledge retention, safety awareness, and regulatory compliance. By creating immersive, scenario-based learning environments, we aim to help workers make better decisions in high-risk situations.

“I had the opportunity to present my research at several academic and professional events, including Penn State AI Week, the Interdisciplinary Environmental Research Symposium, and the National Engineers Week celebration. One of my proudest moments was delivering my first oral presentation at the Northeast Decision Sciences Institute Conference. That experience challenged me, built my confidence, and affirmed the value of my work. Another defining milestone was successfully defending my thesis, which marked the culmination of months of hard work and growth.

“A key part of my journey has been the mentorship of my adviser, Sofia Vidalis, whose guidance and encouragement have been instrumental in shaping my academic experience. Her support pushed me to think critically, communicate effectively, and pursue excellence in my research.

“Beyond academics, I have been actively involved in leadership and service on campus. I served as the student engagement chairperson for the Graduate and Professional Student Council, where I worked to promote inclusivity and collaboration among graduate students. I also worked as a graduate teaching assistant, supporting instructional activities and helping undergraduates in their learning process. These roles allowed me to contribute to the campus community while developing leadership and communication skills.

“As I look ahead, I plan to continue into a Ph.D. program, where I will expand my research into the use of VR and AI in smart and connected systems, particularly in areas such as rehabilitation and human-centered engineering. My long-term goal is to contribute to academia and develop innovative solutions that support smart cities and improve quality of life.

“My journey to commencement has been one of growth, resilience, and purpose. It reflects not only my academic achievements but also the support, challenges, and experiences that have shaped who I am today.”