PC grad Mimi Owolabi found her second home in Student Life and Leadership

The descriptions to explain the differences between Phoenix and Tucson are plentiful – vibrant versus sleepy, cosmopolitan v. laid-back, hot v. less hot. For Fall 2024 Phoenix College (PC) graduate Mistura Owolabi, who transferred to the University of Arizona (UofA) in January 2024, Tucson is "not as bubbly as Phoenix."  She should know.  Mimi, as she was universally known at PC, was the sparkle and fizz on campus, greeting other students from the Student Union Welcome Desk, her second home. She was also President of the Black Student Union (BSU), an honors student, and a social media team member.  

Ironically, while Tucson is smaller than Phoenix, Mimi notes UofA is "way bigger" than Phoenix College. "Some classes have over 100 students with teaching assistants," she said. Yet, her experience at Phoenix College made her transition to UofA easy. "I'm glad I went to PC before I came here.  Working in the Student Union helped me learn how to talk to people and not be scared to speak up and ask questions.  If I had gone to UofA straight from high school, it wouldn't have been as easy for me now." 

The contrasts of her college experiences continue. While Mimi is naturally outgoing, her job at UofA is in the Financial Aid office. "I don't actually get to talk to students," she said. "I work in the back." While she's not as involved in UofA's campus life as she was a PC, "not because I don't want to," she said, Mimi joined the African Student Association. For now, she's focused on settling into her new routine and staying on top of her six classes this semester: Criminal Justice Ethics; Crime and Punishment in the Ancient World; Public Organizational Management; Cyber Crime, Surveillance and Privacy; LGBTQ+: the Law Enforcement Policy, and Basic Economic Issues. She's on track to graduate in Spring 2025 with a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice. She intends to go to law school. 

Having moved to the United States from Nigeria, Mimi said PC helped her understand US culture and the other mishaps that accompany the transition to college life, which makes her nostalgic about her time here:  "I miss everything about PC: the small classes, being in line at the Hannelly Center, handing out food from the Bumstead’s Resource room [powered by Whataburger]." While she might be settling into Tucson's more laid-back vibe, we know Mimi will leave an indelible mark on the hearts of all those she encounters, as she did at Phoenix College. 

Make your mark at Phoenix College! Bring your unique perspective to Student Life and Leaderhip and the many student clubs and organizations on campus. Stop by the Student Union to get involved.