Jasmine Acayo Okidi

What activities were you involved in during your time at Mason that impacted you?  

Being a part of the African Student Association since my freshman year was especially impactful as it was my first chosen community at Mason. I found belonging and was able to learn more about the diversity among Africans and first-gen African Americans than I had living in Uganda. ASA was a space where I found belonging and could interests my civic and academic interests as they related to African culture, from organizing community service initiatives and a guest speaker panel to moderating a conversation with an African American author. Participating in OSCAR research programs, both independent and group projects, was also pivotal to my time at Mason as I was able to explore my interest in non-STEM approaches to environmental studies that I first developed in lit classes through literature and environment. My research projects shaped my academic trajectory.  

Did you have a favorite class or professor? 

While hard to choose just one, Dr. Keith Clark has been my favorite CHSS professor. I have taken at least 3 of his classes since my sophomore year. His encouragement of and willingness to support my scholarly growth, insightful lectures, openness to student feedback, was a major transformational part of my experience at Mason. Plus, he’s very kind and funny!   

What is your most memorable moment at Mason? 

 Being a co-leader for an Alternative Spring Break Trip formerly coordinated under SAIL. Our group went to Camden, NJ and stayed with a nonprofit called the Center for Environmental Transformation (CfET), learning about the intersection of mass incarceration and environmental justice. It was amazing to be among a group of students from across the university committed to social justice, eager to learn, conscious of their privilege, and be invited and inspired by Camden community members actively addressing their challenges.   

What is your next step? What are your future plans?  

I am pursuing my MPhil in African Studies at the University of Cambridge in the UK as a Philomathia Scholar with Trinity College.  

As you are reflecting on your time at Mason, what is one piece of advice you would give a student who is just starting off on their Mason journey? 

Be open to exploring all that Mason has to offer. Communities at Mason are vast and welcoming, and opportunities abound.