(Photo courtesy of Rhenece Andrew)
Name: Rhenece Andrew
Major: Management Information Systems
Hometown: Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago
As she recalls it, Rhenece Andrew never thought attending Temple University’s Fox School of Business was in her cards.
“I had applied and gotten accepted into the Fox School just before the COVID-19 pandemic but, due to financial circumstances, the scholarship allotment I had received was not enough to sustain myself,” Andrew explains.
“Studying abroad was always a dream of mine, particularly at Temple once I learned more about everything it could offer me.
“I was determined to find a way to make it happen.”
Now, with just a few short days remaining until her graduation from Temple, she is able to say she made it happen.
As the world grappled with the pandemic, the native of Trinidad and Tobago pursued more education, which ultimately paid off.
“I was fortunate to perform well in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) that the Trinidad and Tobago government awarded me a National Open Scholarship, which gave me the resources necessary to study abroad,” Andrew says.
“All along, I had always known that I would come to Fox if my circumstances allowed.”
Temple checked all her necessary boxes, including offering her the chance to experience a different culture, being located within a city, and allowing her to pursue her preferred industry, technology.
“My best advice for students, especially ones coming from a foreign country, would be to just keep going. Sure, there will be times when you may feel discouraged, but in the end, you will gain a perspective and growth on an individual level that I’ve found to be very, very important.”
“I knew I wanted to work within the technology space, but once I realized management information systems can allow you to work within a mix of both tech and business, I was immediately drawn to it,” Andrew says.
Temple also afforded her an opportunity to remain active in one of her most coveted passions: gymnastics.
“I was so happy to learn that the school had a recreational gymnastics team—
it was definitely a factor when deciding which university to attend,” Andrew says.
“Although I am no longer involved in the program, I greatly enjoyed my time on the team and will cherish getting the chance to represent the school while participating in competition.”
Instead of gymnastics, she turned her attention to other extracurricular activities: she’s spent the 2023-25 academic year as a mentor and the director of events for the Temple Association for Information Systems (AIS), a student professional organization that offers members the opportunity to promote the study and practice of management information systems through professional development, social and community activities.
Photo courtesy of Andrew served as the director of events for AIS in her senior year. (Photo courtesy of Rhenece Andrew)Anika Vilivalam
As she prepares for her graduation, she also eyes the start of her career.
“While my specific placement is yet to be determined, my plan is to return to my home country and work within their public sector utilizing the MIS skills I’ve learned here at Fox,” Andrew explains.
“I am so honored and excited to have a chance to utilize my Temple education to contribute to the development and improvement of digital transformation and operational efficiency within my home country.”
As she considers the impact Fox and the entire Temple community had on her, she encourages others, particularly future international students, to follow in her path.
“My best advice for students, especially ones coming from a foreign country, would be to just keep going,” Andrew says. “Sure, there will be times when you may feel discouraged, but in the end, you will gain a perspective and growth on an individual level that I’ve found to be very, very important.”
“If I could go back in time, I would tell my first-year self to be patient, stay resilient and embrace the journey—every challenge is an opportunity for growth.”