![Summer Dalgamouni (center) flanked by twins Lawrence (left) and Laura. [Photo by David Dara - @daviddaraphotography.]](/sites/ccoe.egr.uh.edu/files/images/news/2024/summer-dalgamouni-01-crop.jpg "Summer Dalgamouni (center) flanked by twins Lawrence (left) and Laura. [Photo by David Dara - @daviddaraphotography.]")
When the Cullen College of Engineering holds its commencement ceremony this weekend, among those Cougars crossing the finish line is Summer Dalgamouni, who is earning her Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering from UH’s Cullen College of Engineering. The rigorous academic program was no doubt challenging for Dalgamouni, but imagine completing a doctorate while parenting two young twins.
Dalgamouni did just that despite days that often began as early as 2 a.m. to work on her dissertation and research. By 6 a.m., she began readying her twins — Lawrence and Laura — for school. Then, it was time to focus again on her doctoral obligations.
While her husband Muhammed provided unending support, the academic workload and parenting responsibilities were daunting. Still, Dalgamouni persevered. When in doubt, she thought of Lawrence and Laura.
“There were tears, doubts, and nights when I felt like giving up. But I kept going, not because it was easy, but because it was worth it,” she said. “What kept me grounded was my ‘why.’ I wanted to create a better future for my children and to prove to myself — and to them — that nothing is impossible with hard work and determination.”
Read more about Summer here, along with several other inspiring University of Houston graduates! For more information about Cullen’s ceremony, click here.