Menen Ebrahim, ‘26

Hometown: Alexandria, VA
Languages: English, Amharic
High School: Mount Vernon High School
Affiliations: Institute for East Africans Councils for Higher Education (IEA)
Major: Psychology
Minors: Studio Art and Biology 
Main Extracurricular Activities: Black Student Union Mixed Media Manager, JusTalks Coordinator, Middlebury Alternative Break Trips fellow, Middlebury College Museum of Art marketing intern, Student Government Association Chief of Staff

Hey! My name is Menen Ebrahim and I’m a current sophomore from Alexandria, Virginia (but I just say D.C. because what’s the difference). I’m a Psychology major and a Studio Art and Biology minor. I am also a first-generation college student! 

I found out about Middlebury through my brother’s college advisors in the Institute for East Africans Councils for Higher Education (IEA) around the mid-season of college applications. Being interested in so many different majors and tracks, they recommended Middlebury as this institute encourages academic exploration for first-year students before declaring a major. This aspect of Middlebury really drew me in as I wanted the opportunity to explore my different academic interests without the restrictions of major requirements my first year.

Middlebury College has so many student organizations that have made my transition to living in rural Vermont much smoother. One that I’m both an active member and a student leader of is the Black Student Union. This organization has given me the community and support all students need during their time away from home! In my past three semesters here, I’ve experienced and been granted so many amazing opportunities that I hope you will too during your time here. Send me an email if you have any questions! 

What is your favorite study spot on campus?

It’s fluctuated a lot this past year! It began with BiHall- the science academic building, to the cubicles in Davis Family Library, but now it’s definitely the Axinn Center at Starr Library! It gives very much dark academia vibes and really gives you that boost of productivity when needed :) 

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self during the college search/application process?

I would tell her to relax! Though definitely easier said in hindsight, don’t let the college application process take such a toll on your everyday life! Remember that you put in the work all four years of high school and college admission officers will recognize your effort. And reach out to college admission officers for more information about the school’s you’re applying to. They’re there to help inform you about how their individual application processes go! 

Why did you choose to attend Middlebury?:

There are a couple reasons why I chose Middlebury. I was introduced to the school through a few college advisors who emphasized the academic exploration students receive at Middlebury- and as a high school senior who wasn’t completely sure what I wanted to major in, this sounded really relieving! Coming in originally intending to be an Economics major, I, along with all freshmen, were encouraged to take different classes in fields they had an interest in. With this, I took a few psychology classes and came to realize that I actually wanted to major in Psychology! This leads to another reason why I chose Middlebury- the abundance of academic opportunities. Though I decided on majoring in Psychology, I was still able to be a research assistant for an economics professor under the Discovering Economics fellowship my freshman spring. No matter your major, there are opportunities in any academic field you’re interested in.