Penelope Lee | staff writer

At Duquesne, Samiya Henry stands out not only for her pace but also for her purpose. She is a senior managing two degrees, two campuses, and still has time to participate in what she loves.

“This is exactly what I want,” Henry said. “I can explore different avenues and walk away with two degrees.”

Henry is entering her fifth year in a dual-degree program, which will earn her a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Duquesne University and a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

But the story of how she found her career path started well before college. It began when she went to the movies and saw “Hidden Figures” in her freshman year of high school.

The film not only introduced her to physics, but it was also a pivotal moment in her life.

“I could see myself there,” Henry said. “Not just as someone interested in aerospace and engineering, but someone who looks like me.”

The film is a true story based on three Black women mathematicians, whose work at NASA helped launch the first U.S. astronauts into space during the 1960s.

This movie planted a seed of interest, and soon after, it began to blossom when the fire department visited Henry’s class for high school career day.

While other students were interested in the work of the firemen, she was interested in the engineer who discussed the design of fireproof suits and helmets. After the event, she grew curious and found herself going to the internet to investigate deeper.

“It took my own research to find out exactly what the career was,” Henry said. “But the fact that I could do that for such a specific field, I thought that was really cool.”

That curiosity deepened as she began her search for a college that would fit for her. When it came time to start applying, she sought out programs that would allow her to not only study engineering but also physics. A brochure in the mail told her she could get exactly that at Duquesne.

When she arrived on campus as a part of the class of 2021, she had not even gotten the chance to tour it due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Despite the challenge, she said Duquesne is a school that “is always there to support you,” and she was able to join multiple clubs while balancing her two degrees.

Currently, she serves as Vice President of Mission and Community for the Student Government Association, a position that she helped create. According to SGA, this role is meant to ensure that the standards of inclusion, service and visibility-core of Duquesne’s mission are being maintained by the campus.

Nick Miller, the current president of Student Government, speaks highly of Henry and her efforts toward the organization.

“I think she’s one of those people who does so much and has just an unbelievable impact not just in government, but the whole student body,” Miller said. “I think she knows her worth, she knows her value, and that’s why she’s not afraid to say anything.”

Henry is taking extra steps to ensure her success as an engineer, one being her taking the LSAT this month and going to law school.

Henry’s main goal is to get into design and gain a strong understanding of intellectual property patent law that would let her have a leg up when it comes to protecting her designs.

“It’s definitely out of left field, but the way I would practice law is through my career as an engineer,” she said.

Outside of the Duquesne campus, Henry still finds time for herself by also pursuing other passions, like her own photography business.

“It’s something that’s just mine,” she said.

Another one of those passions is the friendships she has created during her time in college.

Chrissy Bober, one of her close friends, said the best thing about Henry is her heart.

“She has a love for everyone and everything she does,” Bober said.

Bober also finds that Henry’s ability to balance passions is something that she admires about her.

“She’s been able to defy all odds and be able to excel in every field,” Bober said.

When the recent Duquesne v. Pitt game came around, she embraced both sides of her education. Not only in spirit, but by literally cutting a Duquesne football shirt and a Pitt football shirt and stitching them together.

But, when asked the question of who she wanted to win, she gave a straightforward answer.

“Oh I supported Duquesne, no doubt,” she said with a smile.

Penelope Lee can be reached at leep2@duq.edu