Since 2018, Emergent has awarded scholarships to the children of Emergent employees who plan to pursue a post-secondary education through our Emergent Scholars program. Emergent Scholars is one of the ways we demonstrate our commitment to educate tomorrow’s leaders, and continually invest in our employees and their families.
To celebrate the upcoming five-year anniversary of the Emergent Scholars program, we’ll be checking in with past scholarship recipients to see where they are today and highlight the great work they are doing.
To kick-off this series, we speak with Nia Cain, The Ohio State University ’24. Nia, daughter of David Cain, Senior Director, Engineering, Facilities and Validation at Emergent, is pursuing a degree in political science, with a minor in public affairs on the pre-law track.
Read more about the impressive work Nia is doing at Ohio State, and how receiving a scholarship through the Emergent Scholars program has impacted her.
Name: Nia Cain
School: The Ohio State University
Area of study: Political Science & Public Affairs (Pre-Law Track)
Graduating class: 2024
Hometown: Lehigh Valley – Pennsylvania
Tell us about yourself, and what you’re currently up to.
Hi, I’m Nia Cain. I’m from the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania, and I am currently in my third year of undergraduate studies at The Ohio State University. I’m studying political science with a minor in public affairs, on the pre-law track.
What inspired you to pursue a degree in political science, and the pre-law track?
My parents both inspired me to pursue a career in law, not because they are attorneys, but because they put their best foot forward in everything they do and focus on helping those around them. I want to make a positive change in the world around me, and after completing law school, I want to work for a cooperation or firm representing underrepresented voices.
What are some of your favorite courses so far, and how have they impacted what you want to do in the future?
Most of my courses have involved political science and law work. Two of my favorite courses so far have been “Governing Urban America” and “Law and Politics”, due to how much they challenged me to reexamine historical statutes and analyze why things have come to be the way that they are.
Outside of your coursework, what are some of the things you are involved with on campus?
I am currently an Undergraduate Research Assistant for the University working on two high profile studies under professors and partners of the University. Apart from being an undergraduate research student, I am also a Morrill Scholar for the diversity and inclusion sector of the university, member of College Mentors for Kids mentoring young elementary students weekly, and a member of the University’s Pay It Forward service-based cohort.
How has receiving a scholarship from the Emergent Scholars program impacted you, and your studies?
Since receiving a scholarship from Emergent, I have been able to expand my opportunities pertaining to my education by taking additional courses and experiencing different seminars offered by my university. I am grateful for having the ability to do so through the scholarship.
What advice do you have for high school students considering your area of study?
My advice for high school students considering pre-law and law in general would be to simply try taking a political science course to see if you like it! If it is something you are passionate about, I recommend stepping into it. The field is larger than analyzing court cases and there are so many interesting aspects that I didn’t know until I started taking the diverse courses my university offers.
Congratulations on all your accomplishments, Nia! We look forward to hearing about your continued success, and the impact you’ll make in the legal field in the future.