HONORS PROGRAM CAPSTONE PORTFOLIO

INTRODUCTION

My name is Emerald Okotie, and it is my fourth year at Minot State University, and I have one more semester to go before I graduate. I will be graduating with a Bachelor of Social Work degree and a concentration in Honors in May 2026. I was born and grew up in Nigeria, West Africa. College was the major reason I came to North Dakota; I had never heard of Minot, in fact, even though I had been to the United States a few times for holidays. After graduating with my Bachelor’s, I plan to work as an LBSW and then further my education by going to graduate school for a master’s in social work with Clinical practice, and that would be another step in getting me to reach my goal of being a Clinical Social Worker. Social work for me is beyond societal need; it is a calling, and even though I am currently interested in Clinical Social Work, I am incredibly open to the different career opportunities in Social Work. Word on the street is that I am remarkably busy, and I agree, but like I usually say, “I am good busy.” 

Aside from taking classes, I have spent the last 4 years of my college career working at Magic City Day Care Center with so many awesome kids and great staff. My job at Magic City Day Care Center is only one of the many things I have committed to in my time in Minot, which will be revealed later in this portfolio. What started as a suggestion from my advisor and an announcement email has proven to be one of my best decisions in my college career. I decided to join the Honors Program because I like to challenge myself, especially for a worthy cause. I have also always loved the concept of leadership, coming from a high school background of holding several leadership positions. When I realized that being a part of the Honors Program would enhance that skill I already had, I became even more interested. 

The Honors Program has taught me skills I did not have when I started college and has helped me improve the skills I had before joining the program. I am grateful for the experiences I have gained over the years in the Honors Program, and I am confident that these skills will be extremely useful as I go through life and as I further my education. This portfolio will introspectively document my journey in the Honors Program through reflecting on four major goals I have achieved. These goals are critical thinking, community awareness and involvement, communication, and cultural diversity. I will explain these goals using some artifacts in this portfolio.