Priscilla Cudjoe is a final-year Civil Engineering student who currently holds the position of Women in Engineering (WinE-KNUST) President and also serves as the Women's Commissioner for the Ghana Engineering Students’ Association (GESA-KNUST).
Her passion for Civil Engineering was sparked in childhood when she became fascinated by structures. Encouraged by her parents, who provided her with wooden building blocks to construct toy houses, she developed a deep interest in how structures are designed and built. Her mentor, Ing. Mrs. Rita Ohene Sarfo, further inspired her by providing insight into the field of Civil Engineering and encouraging her to pursue her passion.
Through her academic journey, Priscilla has gained a broader understanding of Civil Engineering beyond just structures. She has come to appreciate the wide range of disciplines within the field, including geotechnical, water resource, drainage, transportation, environmental, and waste management engineering. Additionally, she has realized that Civil Engineers are not limited to traditional construction roles but also have opportunities in industries such as petroleum and mining, where their expertise is highly valuable.
Her university experience has been enriched by leadership and student engagement. One of her most impactful roles has been serving as the Women’s Commissioner for GESA, where she has developed essential skills in communication, confidence, and working with diverse groups of people. Through this leadership position, she has learned to navigate interactions with different personalities, improve her public speaking skills, and manage responsibilities effectively. This experience has helped her overcome initial shyness and build the confidence needed to excel in both professional and personal settings.
Priscilla has also been an active member of Engineers without Borders (EWB), a student-led organization that focuses on supporting underprivileged communities through infrastructure development. Through this initiative, she has contributed to projects such as building bridges and clinics to improve living conditions in less privileged areas. She finds fulfillment in knowing that her work directly impacts lives, helping communities become more sustainable by ensuring access to essential infrastructure and resources.
In addition to her academic coursework and leadership responsibilities, Priscilla has gained practical experience through multiple internships. She interned with ArcScale Consult, where she worked on a road construction project in an urban setting, and with the Ghana Highways Authority, where she gained hands-on experience in soil classification, laboratory testing, and material feasibility studies for road construction. She also had the opportunity to work with AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine in Tarkwa, where she developed critical values such as safety prioritization, respect for diversity, and integrity in engineering practices. Her work at the mine reinforced the importance of sustainability, resource management, and delivering high-quality outputs in engineering projects.
Beyond her internships, she has expanded her knowledge in Civil Engineering research. As part of the Structural Health and Monitoring Evaluation Research Team, she worked on integrating advanced non-destructive evaluation techniques to assess the structural condition of reinforced concrete buildings. This research has strengthened her ability to analyze and solve real-world engineering challenges using innovative methods.
Despite her numerous commitments, Priscilla has maintained a strong academic record while managing her extracurricular activities. She attributes her ability to balance these responsibilities to effective time management and discipline. Each day, she follows a structured to-do list to stay focused and productive. She consciously limits distractions, including reducing social media usage, and prioritizes her mental health to maintain a positive mindset. She strongly believes in the saying by Roman poet Juvenal: "A healthy mind is a healthy body." To uphold this principle, she ensures that she takes time to reflect, pray, and maintain her emotional well-being.
However, her journey has not been without challenges. One of the most significant difficulties she faced was commuting long distances to class, which affected her academic performance and personal well-being. To address this, she made the decision to relocate to campus, which significantly improved her university experience. Another academic challenge she encountered was struggling to balance her studies with extracurricular activities. By developing a time management plan, she was able to effectively prioritize her coursework while still participating in student leadership and professional development activities.
Looking toward the future, Priscilla has set both short-term and long-term goals for herself. In the short term, she aims to maintain or improve her Cumulative Weighted Average (CWA) and continue building her professional network. Her long-term goal is to pursue postgraduate studies abroad, gaining advanced knowledge and global exposure in her field. She is passionate about inspiring and empowering young female engineers, encouraging them to pursue careers in STEM fields and break barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries.
Priscilla describes her experience at the College of Engineering as transformative and empowering. Through her studies, internships, leadership roles, and research, she has learned to balance academics with personal development while making meaningful contributions to her community. She recognizes the importance of networking, mentorship, and continuous learning in building a successful career.
As she nears the completion of her undergraduate journey, Priscilla continues to embody resilience, ambition, and leadership. Her contributions to the College of Engineering, student leadership, and community development have made a lasting impact, and she remains committed to excelling in her profession and uplifting others along the way.
