Our Work

Bright Smiles, Bright Futures: Manu Kazadi ’14 Gives Back

For Manu Kazadi, NDCR Class of 2014, the theme “Scholars Today, Leaders Tomorrow” is more than words — it’s the story he’s living. Manu’s undergraduate degree is from Framingham State University, while his master’s degree is from Mississippi College. Now in his first year at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Manu is pursuing his dream of transforming lives through dentistry.

That dream began years ago when a student dentist at Boston University treated him for misaligned teeth. The experience restored his confidence and inspired him to do the same for others: “Experiencing the positive impact it had on my life, I felt compelled to make a similar impact on my future patients.”

The path to dental school is demanding, but Manu embraces both the challenge and the reward: “The true fulfillment comes when one begins to make positive impacts on other people’s lives by providing them with the best possible treatment.”

Looking back, Manu credits NDCR for the resilience and determination that prepared him for this journey:
“Notre Dame Cristo Rey profoundly shaped both my career trajectory and personal growth. NDCR is a vibrant and dynamic community where hard work paves the way for rewarding outcomes.”

Today, Manu is not only focused on the future of dentistry — he’s giving back to NDCR as a new member of the NDCR Alumni Committee, helping to ensure current students have the same opportunities he did. “God, my immediate family members and friends, and lastly, hard work,” he says, are the foundation of his success.

Manu’s story shines as a reminder of what it means to be a scholar today and a leader tomorrow.

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