Student Spotlight: Fumin Dang

Fumin Dang was 11 when he immigrated from China to the Chicago area with his mother and moved to Wood Dale a few years later.

Now he's a Presidential Scholar at College of DuPage who is working on his Computer Science degree and plans to transfer to the University of Illinois to study engineering. He also tutors elementary students at Henry Hyde
Resource Center in Addison.

It's an impressive list of accomplishments for someone who is very straightforward about his goals.

"My parents bought the first computer for the family when I was around 5 years old. So I would say it was a gradual process that I became interested in it," he said. "I knew I was going into some kind of computer major, and eventually decided on computer science since it better fits my personality. I'd someday like to work in the IT industry, and if that doesn't work out, be a teacher."

Dang said one major factor for selecting College of DuPage was financial, and being named a Presidential Scholar meant a full-tuition scholarship and enrollment in COD's Honors program and the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society. Being close to home was another factor in selecting COD. 

He's also part of the Pathways to Engineering program, a unique opportunity that allows qualifying students to complete their first two years at COD, meeting all program requirements, then transfer seamlessly to the University of Illinois's renowned College of Engineering to earn a bachelor's degree.

Dang is happy with his selection of COD and has gained much from the experience.

"I was helped financially by the Presidential Scholar program, while the Honors program also helped me in meeting quality friends," he said. "The engineering and science departments have some really awesome professors, and without them I would not be on the path I am taking today."

More about the Computer Information Systems program

More about the Engineering program