A Force for Change: Opeyemi Awe ’15

When Opeyemi “Ope” Awe ’15 steps up to the podium to lead Town Hall meetings on campus, heads turn.

She frequently stands before faculty, staff, and students with the poise of a seasoned politician.

“I like leading the meetings because I think it provides an opportunity for me to show students that we are part of creating the type of institution that we want,” she says. “I'm so proud to see the campus coming together and tackling some really big issues.”

The Student Government Association president’s upbringing, work ethic, and broad experiences as a Grinnellian have prepared her to represent the College’s 1,742 students and transform campus. Transforming Africa is next up for the independent international affairs major.  

“Sometimes my vision gets ahead of people,” Awe says. “They’re like ‘you’re way too ambitious’ but I know me.”

Birth of a Leader  

Awe moved from her birthplace in Ibadan, Nigeria, at the age of five. Her father, a lecturer and researcher, relocated the family to the U.S, where they lived in Nebraska and Kentucky before settling in Germantown, Md. Ever since, Awe has embraced relationship building. Her parents groomed the Posse Scholar to be “boldly and unabashedly independent.”

Mark Peltz, Daniel ’77 and Patricia Jipp Finkelman ’80 Dean in the Center for Careers, Life, and Service, says Awe is an outstanding leader.

“If I had to pick a single word to describe Ope, I would likely choose courage,” says Peltz. “She has repeatedly demonstrated over the past three and a half years that she possesses the courage to take risks, the courage the lead, and, when things don’t go as planned, the courage to evaluate, reset, and begin again.”

MSNBC this spring featured the charismatic leader in its Women in Politics: College Edition where she shared that her dream job is to become president of Nigeria. Classmates nicknamed her “Madame president” and “first lady.”

“Students respect her, confide in her, and come to her with a variety of concerns, which gives her credibility across the campus and the confidence to speak for many people about issues that affect average Grinnell students,” says Thomas Neil ’14, a former SGA president.  

Aspirations Across the Atlantic

Nigeria, with its beautiful landscapes, emerging markets, and complex challenges, is home, Awe says. Taking Grinnellian concepts of self-governance and social justice with her, Awe wants to reform governmental institutions and support and fund startup enterprises there. 

“Some fundamental foundational work has to be done so the excitement about Nigeria’s economy translates into jobs, opportunities, growth, and development,” she says.

During internships, Awe analyzed school curriculum in Ghana. She interned at the U.S. Department of State, Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, where she wrote a National Day letter on behalf of President Barack Obama.

This spring, her work culminates in a senior thesis: Exploring the change in the technology-related entrepreneurial activity among migrants in Lagos, Nigeria after 2008.

Awe’s Legacy at Grinnell

Awe will lead three Town Hall meetings before her graduation in May. She’s a staunch supporter of the College’s need blind policy, and she wants to strengthen alumni connections.

On SGA, she wants to strengthen sexual respect programming; improve internal policies; rebrand; boost outreach; promote fun; and assist class ambassadors.

She’s nowhere close to being finished.  

“I have this idea, which has been confirmed for me: If I want to make it happen, I can make it happen.”