Growing up in Worcester after emigrating from Kenya, Roy Karanja ’27 watched his parents build a life for their family as certified nursing assistants. Even at an early age, he understood the work his parents were doing was about more than a paycheck. They were doing good in their community, and Karanja found inspiration in that. In fact, it was his parents’ dedication to caring for others that sparked his own interest in healthcare.
“Biology became an interest to me through observing my parents and the hard work they did coming into this country,” he said. “The fact that they saw their way of living in this country by working as certified nursing assistants and in healthcare—that inspired me to want to work in the field.”
Today, Karanja is pursuing a degree in biology at Worcester State University and working toward a future in optometry. While exploring different healthcare environments, he discovered that eye care was the field that felt right for him.
“When it comes to the different medical environments I’ve been in, being in a hospital and being in an eye care clinic, I found that eye care was something I really enjoyed,” he said. “It’s a lot more relaxed and streamlined with patients coming in and out, and I enjoy that.”
His decision to attend Worcester State was influenced by more than academics. Remaining in the city where he grew up allowed him to stay connected to his community while pursuing opportunities that would help him achieve his career goals. “It’s very nice to be able to stay in the city I call home,” he said.
That sense of belonging, however, began long before he enrolled as a student.
As a sophomore in high school, Karanja participated in Worcester State’s Upward Bound program, a federally funded initiative that helps low-income and first-generation public school students prepare for college through academic, career, and cultural support. Through Upward Bound, Karanja found guidance, encouragement, and a mentor in Sidney Buxton, who, before retiring, served Worcester State for decades as assistant dean of multicultural affairs, director of the Learning Assistance Center, and dean of academic services and freshman studies.
“At the end of the program, in my senior year, I applied to Worcester State and then got the Upward Bound scholarship to work as a peer mentor for the program,” he said.
Roy, center, poses for a photo with his scholarship donors at the annual Scholarship Brunch.
The connection runs even deeper for the Karanja family. Buxton also mentored Roy’s older brothers through the program, creating a lasting relationship that has spanned years. “I’ve known Sid Buxton for a long time now, and he’s an amazing person, full of wisdom.”
Now entering his senior year, Karanja is taking steps toward his future career. This semester, he began shadowing professionals at a local eye clinic, gaining valuable experience and insight into the field of optometry.
As he continues his education, scholarship support has helped make those opportunities possible.
“The Worcester State Scholarship Program is so important because it allows donors and alumni to give back to the Worcester State community,” Karanja said. “Whether supporting in-state students, international students, or other student populations, it helps students see themselves as future alumni and donors who can give back and continue that cycle of generosity.”
For Karanja, receiving scholarship support is a powerful reminder that Worcester State alumni and friends continue to invest in the next generation of students.
“It makes you feel great that donors believe in the students that are still here within the university they graduated from,” he said. “It’s good to know there are professionals out there who don’t forget where they came from.”
Looking ahead, Karanja hopes to establish himself as an optometrist, ideally serving the community he has always called home. And when the time comes, he hopes to follow the example set by the donors who have invested in his success. “I definitely feel inclined to give back now,” he said.
Thanks to the support of generous donors, students like Karanja are building the foundation for meaningful careers while carrying forward a commitment to helping others—a cycle of generosity that will continue to strengthen the Worcester State community for generations to come.
This story appeared in the 2026 Donor Impact Statement.