Every day for two years, Young Scholar Khadazia Conner walked past the carved inscription on the iconic 75-foot clock tower as she made her way from her north campus residence hall to class. The words, made famous by President John F. Kennedy during his 1961 inauguration speech, read: "Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country."
Day by day, those words began to resonate with Conner, a Cleveland native who graduated in 2023 with a degree in Construction Systems Management. "I would always pass it, and after a while, I thought, This is really starting to stick with me," she recalled during a recent interview. "I was just really ready to give back and live out a goal I had since I was in the eighth grade."
Now, Conner is doing just that—giving back to her country while building a career. By day, she manages construction sites, and on weekends and during the summer, she serves as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves. "My aspirations are to keep my civilian and military careers aligned as closely as possible," said the 23-year-old, who is set to begin engineering officer training. “In the Army, they say the infantry leads the way,” she said with a smile. “But truthfully, I think it’s the engineers.”
With over a year of military service under her camo belt, Conner is already noticing personal growth. “My public speaking, accountability, and ability to work in austere environments have all improved,” she shared. “The Army is fast-paced, and it pushes you to adapt quickly.”
Her six-year commitment, which lasts until 2029, includes plans to deploy / mobilize with her unit, focus on construction projects within USAFRICOM, and earn the rank of captain before her contract ends. "The Army has that sweet element of surprise," she added. "They keep you ready to be alert and prompt at all times.”
Conner initially pursued engineering classes at The Ohio State University but soon realized she wanted a more hands-on career. Her shift to Construction Systems Management offered the perfect balance. "Construction management is really the best of both worlds," she explained. "You’re out there calling the shots and hoping your team falls in line. If they don’t, then you have to restrategize."
Reflecting on her time as a Young Scholar, Conner credits the program with providing a community that fostered academic and social success. "YSP gave me that feeling that I was still at home," she said. "The people in my cohort really helped each other. We were all in this together—we’re all Buckeyes—and we were all working toward obtaining our degrees."
For Conner, her four years at Ohio State were a time of self-discovery. "This is what I want to be," she said. "And this is who I am now. For me, it was really about that freedom."
Armada Henderson, assistant director of the Young Scholars Program, expressed confidence in Conner’s ability to excel in her dual roles. "Her resiliency, sense of community, and leadership on campus made her a great fit for her career path," Henderson said. "It’s one of the joys of working with YSP—following the accomplishments of scholars like Khadazia. The entire team is incredibly proud of the impact she’s making."
As the only Black woman in her major at Ohio State and now the only Black officer in her Army Reserve unit, Conner is no stranger to breaking barriers. "Imposter syndrome is very real, but it’s also about opening the door for minority women who will come after you," she said. "I laid down the pipeline so you can do it too."