Nakia Harge is in her final semester at the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education, pursuing an undergraduate degree in Criminology. Nakia says she chose a degree in Criminology because of her passion for helping youth who face socio-structural and environmental challenges. She hopes she can offer her love and wisdom to help them achieve success, despite the disadvantages they must overcome. Nakia is already making a difference in the lives of youth as a Juvenile Detention Officer with the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Justice Center where she supports and supervises residents.

Nakia credits her time at Levin in helping her foster her career goals and make it through her own recent challenges. After losing her father toward the end of the academic year, Nakia was not sure if she would maintain the momentum necessary to complete the semester and progress to her summer courses. However, along with the strength wrought up by her faith, the encouragement of her professors, Dr. Lovell and Dr. Wilder in the Department of Criminology and Sociology, helped her make it through that challenging time while maintaining an impressive grade point average. "I didn't feel like I had anything left in my tank,” she shared. "But I was wrong and finished strong. I know my dad is smiling down from heaven saying, ‘Well done, baby girl.'”

Nakia's experience at Levin is a testament of her strength, persistence, and faith. She represents the grit and resilience that it takes to be a Viking, one who has been empowered to go out and shape the world. Nakia is already shaping the world in remarkable ways and hopes to continue her efforts by pursuing a Master's in Marriage and Family Counseling and becoming a mental health practitioner after graduation. When asked what the most valuable lesson taken from her time at Levin, Nakia answered, "No matter how old you are it is never too late. Stick with it and you can achieve the impossible.”