What’s next for the Class of 2026: Abdi Kusata

“What’s next for the Class of 2026” is a series that features Lafayette grads—where they’re headed, and the mentors, resources, and experiences that inspired their future path. Stay tuned for more stories throughout April and May.

By: Kelly Huth

Major/minor:

Computer science and studio art with a data science minor

Destination/future plans:

Analyst with Bank of America in Arizona

Involvement on campus:

Abdi Kusata ’26 is a POSSE Scholar, served as a Digital Humanities Summer Scholar, and participated in Lafayette Initiative for Malagasy Education (LIME)—a one-and-a-half year mentoring program between Lafayette College students and high school students in Madagascar.

Kusata and two friends, Naomi Yilma ’26 and Goodness Obadofin ’26, co-founded a student chapter of Bridge H2OPE in 2024, which aims to raise money and awareness about water insecurity in Ethiopia. He’s also been a four-year member of DiscipleMakers Christian Fellowship. “It’s something I value very much and has helped me grow in my faith.”

He’s also been on a running streak since he stepped foot on campus. He started running with Running Club the Sunday before his very first day of classes at Lafayette, and it’s a tradition he plans to keep going until the Sunday after his last day of classes. 

The experiences that mattered most:

When looking back on what mattered most over his four years, Kusata says it’s the connections made with professors and peers. 

“They helped shape my path, opened doors, and gave me perspectives I wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

How Lafayette shaped your future:

“Lafayette gave me access to resources that shaped my future,” Kusata says. 

Attending a Gateway Career Center event helped him make a connection that led to an internship last summer with IT systems chromatography at Boehringer Ingelheim in Ridgefield, Conn. Kusata says that experience made him realize how much he enjoys working with people and influenced how he approached his job search.

He also credits the experiences of studying abroad in Denmark (in spring 2025) and traveling to Madagascar with LIME (in winter 2024) with broadening his perspective. 

“These opportunities showed me the value of taking advantage of experiences I might otherwise have overlooked,” he says.

Why Lafayette?

“One of the reasons I chose Lafayette was that I wanted to be challenged and pushed outside of my comfort zone. I didn’t want to feel lost in a crowd; I wanted to be known.” 

“At Lafayette, you are surrounded by people who want to see you succeed. The small, supportive environment pushes you to engage, speak up, and become a better version of yourself,” he says.

The people who inspired you along the way:

Kusata says there are many people at Lafayette, staff and students alike, who supported him along the way, and he’s grateful for all of them. 

“Prof. Trent Gaugler, my Posse mentor and running partner, played a huge role in my journey,” Kusata says. “He was always someone I could go to for guidance, whether for academic or career goals. We’ve always motivated each other, and I hope to keep that going.”

Advice for future Leopards:

His advice for incoming students? “Make connections, talk to people, and build relationships. Your time here goes by fast. Get out, explore, spend time outside, and don’t miss what’s around you.”