Quiet and observative, David Mpoyi is on a mission. Raised to value hard work and the importance of being educated, the Biology-Healthcare program student works full time and attends the College of Western Idaho (CWI) full time. He is doing everything he can to make things work financially in his quest to become a registered nurse. He recently received the J.A. and Kathryn Albertsons ‘Go On’ scholarship that will help push him to the finish line.
“My parents never had the opportunity to go to college,” Mpoyi said. “My father was a fisherman who got up very early every day to work. My mother sold trinkets at roadside stands. They raised me to cherish the importance of a good education. They have always used the little money they had to pay tuition for me and my siblings.”
Mpoyi’s family of nine arrived in Boise eight years ago as refugees from Zambia. He is the fourth child in the family to attend college in the Treasure Valley. Two of his siblings graduated from Boise State University; another is a CWI graduate. After he graduated from high school in 2012, college was the next natural step. He attended a large, local university first, and quickly discovered that CWI was going to be the most affordable.
“I definitely chose CWI because I could save money and get the same quality of education,” he said. “I really, really love it here. I am so happy with my choice.”
Growing up, Mpoyi intended to follow in his big brother’s footsteps and become a mechanical engineer. However his mother, who has always been a big influence in his life, encouraged him to check out healthcare. He did, and ended up enjoying it. He went through the Certified Nursing Assistant prep classes at CWI and earned his certification in 2013. A month later, he was working at Genesis Healthcare and has been ever since.
“It is difficult for me to be a full-time student and full-time employee, but I do whatever it takes,” he says. “This scholarship—which will help me achieve my dream of becoming a nurse—will do so much. It will help pay for books and supplies, and enable me to devote more time to my studies.”
Mpoyi is on track to graduate with his associate degree in Spring 2016. He says he plans to go back to school in the future and focus on business administration. His life goal is to become a healthcare administrator.
