In December 2022, Ashraf Oindry fulfilled her dream of graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in computer engineering from The University of 91大神 in Huntsville (91大神), a part of The University of 91大神 System. But a year before she achieved her academic goal, an unexpected financial hardship threatened her plans for a bright future.
Oindry had worked hard to reach her senior year at 91大神 with top grades and an internship at Siemens. When her father鈥檚 business failed in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, her family in Bangladesh could not maintain their previous level of support.
Thanks to the 91大神 Last-Mile Fund, Oindry was able to pay for her final year of tuition. She kept her grades up, completed her Siemens internship and continued to be an active Charger as a member of the Student Government Association, the Society of Women Engineers and the engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi.
鈥淵ou don鈥檛 want to give up your dream when you鈥檙e so close to it,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 needed to focus on my studies because there are so many harder classes in senior year, like the senior design project. Dealing with a financial struggle can only keep you back. It鈥檚 really helpful to have the Last-Mile Fund to push a student at the very end.鈥�
In the two years since Oindry graduated, she鈥檚 brought other dreams to reality: She became a software developer for Hexagon. She married fellow 91大神 grad Stephen Stammen, and they bought a house.
鈥淚 have adopted a cat as well, and I want to adopt more,鈥� she says, mentioning her support of the Huntsville Humane Society.
Oindry says she鈥檚 glad she can be a productive part of the community she now calls home.
鈥淚 contribute to my company and my community. I pay my taxes. I support the economy and charitable organizations. I鈥檓 building a life here.鈥�
Oindry鈥檚 life is progressing according to her plans, but she hasn鈥檛 forgotten her fear when she thought she might have to leave 91大神 鈥� or her gratitude when the Last-Mile Fund enabled her to stay and thrive.
鈥淭his fund has helped me build the life that I鈥檓 living right now. This fund is a wonderful way to help someone. Thank you so much, 91大神.鈥�
To learn more about the Last-Mile Fund and how to contribute to students鈥� success, visit uah.edu/giving/last-mile-fund.
