This summer, the Sheridan Libraries & University Museums has the pleasure of hosting Isaac Njoroge, a Johns Hopkins ORIGINS Advancement intern whose thoughtful presence, and ambitious spirit has made a strong impression across departments. The ORIGINS Advancement Internship is a Johns Hopkins initiative that pairs students with roles in development and alumni relations. Isaac’s time with the ORIGINS cohort has been full of workshops, tours, and peer bonding, and has been a highlight of his summer. “They did a good job picking this group,” Isaac noted. “We’ve really built a bond.”
Isaac aims to become a cybersecurity analyst and will enter the University of Maryland, College Park this fall as a junior majoring in Information Science with a minor in Cybersecurity. Isaac brings a unique blend of technical expertise, athleticism, and leadership to every opportunity. His work this summer as a member of the External Affairs department has focused on building a comprehensive database of alumni who worked, interned, held research fellowships or took courses with the Sheridan Libraries & University Museums during their student years. “We’re up to about 600 students so far,” he says after a few weeks of cross-referencing old records, HR documents, and alumni lists.
His second project is even more personal: planning an alumni reunion event that will bring these former student employees, interns, and alumni back to the Sheridan Libraries and University Museums. From concept to catering, Isaac is helping shape a full experience, complete with interviews, outreach, and even an alumni bingo game. “We want to show them how much they were a part of Hopkins’ story and keep them connected.”
Along the way, Isaac has learned the ins and outs of advancement, including the complexity of donations, donor relations, and the policies that govern gifts. “I didn’t know you could donate in ways that weren’t just financial,” he said. “Or that if you donate a significant amount, you might have a building named after you!” When asked how this internship aligns with his career in cybersecurity, Isaac didn’t hesitate: “I’ve improved my project management communication and event coordination skills. I’ve gained confidence in speaking and grown emotionally. And I’ve realized development will always be a resource I can lean on in any future career.”
Quiet yet charismatic, observant yet driven, Isaac has left his mark not only on spreadsheets and plans, but on the people lucky enough to work alongside him. His story is just beginning and wherever it leads, community and impact will remain at the heart of it.
More About Isaac
Originally from Kenya, Isaac moved to the U.S. in 2009, eventually settling in Baltimore after a few years in Florida and graduating from Parkville High School and the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) this past May. As the youngest of four siblings, he’s followed a path shaped by family influence and personal drive, from playing point guard for the men’s basketball team and earning NJCAA Academic All-American Region 20 honor at CCBC to becoming a standout student leader on campus.
While he initially explored interactive media production in high school, it was a course in cybersecurity that sparked his interest in IT. “Once you know the basics, it gets easier to understand,” Isaac shared. With a sister already in the field and a natural talent for helping others, especially older generations, navigate tech, cybersecurity quickly became more than a passing interest. It became a calling. He now aims to become a cybersecurity analyst and will continue his studies this fall at the University of Maryland, College Park, majoring in information science with a minor in cybersecurity.
Isaac’s time at CCBC was transformative. He balanced classes with a demanding basketball schedule and still found time to lead and give back. He served as secretary and ambassador for the Male Student Success Initiative (MSSI) and was an active member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, the Personal Finance Club, and the Student Alumni Executive Council. He was also one of just eight students selected worldwide from over four million students across the U.S., South Africa, and New Zealand to become a 2025 DREAM Scholar, a prestigious recognition that included the opportunity to represent CCBC on a national stage. In February, he performed his original “I AM” poem at the Achieving the Dream Conference in front of more than 2,500 professors and college leaders. After, Isaac made history as the first student-athlete to be named CCBC’s President’s Distinguished Graduate, delivering the commencement speech, which is available to watch online.