When Dixon Kiptoo arrived at Sandburg in 2018, nursing was his intended career path. Life, however, had different plans for the young man from Kenya.

Being a scholarship runner on Sandburg’s cross country team meant his athletic schedule conflicted with a nursing clinical schedule; so Kiptoo needed to find another academic pursuit.

After just one week in general studies, he pivoted to Sandburg’s information and communication technology program, focusing on IT networking and security—a decision that ultimately launched him into a successful career in technology.

The transition to life in Galesburg presented challenges for Kiptoo. “At first it was hard because it’s a different country, different people,” Kiptoo said.

However, he quickly found support from key figures at Sandburg, particularly his coach. “My coach, the late Coach (Rodney) Blue, he was nice to me,” Kiptoo said. “He was helpful. Whatever questions I had, I could ask him. He would tell me where to find something, where to go, who to approach in school.”

Blue helped Kiptoo with many decisions, including living arrangement recommendations. At Blue’s recommendation, Kiptoo and three fellow athletes—including two other students from Kenya—shared a house.

Kiptoo’s athletic scholarship covered his tuition, removing a significant financial barrier. The Sandburg Foundation also provided some financial assistance for books and later helped with groceries through its crisis grants, which serve students amid an unexpected economic emergency.

Beyond athletics, Kiptoo found community through Sandburg’s Tech Squad, a student organization for those studying information technology. “It was mainly for socialization, like people who like IT,” Kiptoo said. “Maybe once a weekend per semester we could play some games, have some pizzas, exchange some ideas.”

In the classroom, Dr. Suvineetha Herath (“Dr. Sufi,” as some students call her) became another pivotal influence. She recommended Kiptoo take full advantage of Sandburg’s tutoring center and planted the seed for his continued education.

“She is the one who convinced me to do a master’s degree,” Kiptoo said. “I was supposed to do only my bachelor’s degree, but she was the one who said, ‘If you get a master’s, it’s going to help you in the future, maybe to get an executive job.’”

That advice proved transformative. After graduating from Sandburg in the summer of 2020—during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic—Kiptoo transferred to Bellevue University in Nebraska to continue his education. There, he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer information systems.

Today, Kiptoo still lives in Bellevue, NE, working remotely for a Seattle-based company. His role as a desktop support specialist directly applies the skills he developed at Sandburg. He troubleshoots primarily Windows 10, Windows 11, and iOS systems.

“I have to answer calls,” Kiptoo said. “If somebody has an issue with their computers, you have to help them online, tell them how to fix it.”

But Kiptoo’s educational journey isn’t over. “I’m thinking about getting my second master’s,” he said. “I want to do something different from IT, maybe business administration.”

This interdisciplinary approach could open additional career opportunities in technology management.

Looking back on his time in Galesburg, Kiptoo has fond memories. “Galesburg is a nice community. I loved living there. The people were nice. We had nice neighbors,” Kiptoo said.

He maintains connections with some of his Sandburg professors and fellow Kenyan students who arrived as he was departing, and he stayed in touch with Coach Blue before his passing last summer.

For international students considering Sandburg, Kiptoo’s story demonstrates how the college’s support systems—from athletics to academics—can help bridge cultural gaps and foster success. The combination of athletic scholarships, support from the Sandburg Foundation, engaged faculty, and active student organizations provided both practical assistance and community connection.