Class of 2025: Olivia “Kaami” Effa

Nervous but excited. I had just arrived in Maryland from Nigeria after 17 hours of air travel and was looking forward to starting a new chapter in my life.

Grateful. There were so many hurdles I had to overcome to finally make it to the finish line. I am so grateful to God and the community around me for supporting me through these four years.

I have interned with nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups in Washington, D.C. A particularly memorable internship experience was the one I had in the summer of 2024 with The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) in Washington, D.C. Through this program, I attended lectures, site briefings, and networking events as part of the international affairs track. This expanded my network and my understanding of American policy systems. I also spent the spring semester of my sophomore year abroad at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, South Korea. My study abroad experience was my favorite experiential learning opportunity. I immersed myself in Korean culture, politics, entertainment, and food! The people I met abroad and the situations I navigated alone molded me into a more well-rounded person.

Furthermore, in the summer of 2024, I participated in student-faculty summer research with Dr. Anouar Boukhars and wrote a 30-page research paper on “The Role of Policing in Defeating Boko Haram” in Nigeria. I really enjoyed conducting research on my home country and exploring ways to subdue ongoing violence in the Lake Chad basin region.

I learned that I love the outdoors and nature in general. I really enjoyed taking walks around campus, especially in the fall and spring. Appreciating the greenery on campus always lifted my mood whenever I was feeling down.

I want people to remember me through my engagement on campus, especially with Africa’s Legacy, International Perspectives, and the Center for Experience and Opportunity (CEO). Through my leadership positions, I was able to unite students on campus and educate them about cultures around the world. I want to exemplify that introverts and more reserved people can also connect with their campus community through student organizations and volunteerism. I have promoted intercultural communication through events such as the Met Gala African Excellence Awards Dinner, the Taste of Africa cookout, the CEO’s study abroad fairs, and International Perspective’s meetings. Especially as a Global Fellow, I want students to understand how interconnected we all are and how understanding each other will make society a better place for everyone.

I would honestly like to thank all faculty in the Political Science and Philosophy departments, especially Dr. Francis Grice and Dr. Elizabeth Tyler, for broadening my worldview. Outside of academics, Joan Liptrot in the CEO influenced me the most because she helped me unlock my full potential. She encouraged me to take on initially intimidating experiences such as tabling on campus. She also contributed greatly to the formation of International Perspectives, a club I founded to promote cross-cultural communication. I am forever grateful to her and all other staff/faculty at McDaniel who encouraged me to pursue new initiatives.

Though it’s difficult to choose, my favorite class at McDaniel was PHI 3232: The Search for Self. It was a Philosophy class taught by Dr. Tyler that focused on existential philosophy and phenomenological psychology. It was a perfect intersection of disciplines that I’m interested in. That class solidified my philosophical interests and honestly pushed me to change my Philosophy minor into my second major. Apart from the course content, I really enjoyed the discussion-based nature of the class and the enthusiasm with which Dr. Tyler taught it. Apart from gaining a better understanding of the course content, class discussions also helped me to get to know my classmates better and bond with them. I am still friends with the people who I met in that class.

During my first year at McDaniel, I participated in Model U.N. and became the treasurer of Africa’s Legacy. I continued my position as treasurer during my sophomore year before I vacated my position to study abroad in South Korea. During my sophomore year I officially joined the Global Fellows program, after attending their events throughout my first year. While in South Korea I interned as an English tutor for the duration of my time there. In my junior year, after returning from South Korea, I began working at the CEO as a student ambassador and also participated in Maryland Student Legislature during the fall and spring. In the spring of my junior year, I founded International Perspectives and presided over it till graduation. During the summer between my junior and senior year I engaged in student-faculty research in conjunction with my internships with TFAS and the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans. Somewhere along the way I joined two honor societies: the National Society for Leadership and Success (NSLS) and Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society. From spring 2024 to spring 2025, I served as the secretary of McDaniel’s chapter of the NSLS.

I had never toured McDaniel before I came here so I was shocked to find out how literal “the Hill” was. I truly never stopped climbing while at McDaniel.

The patio at the top of Roj Student Center. It is the perfect spot to relax in, especially during the warmer months.

I have observed that it is possible to survive in 20°F (-7°C) weather with a T-shirt and shorts on.

My Political Science capstone is “European Colonialism and Its Abiding Imprint on Africa,” and my Philosophy capstone is “An Existential Examination of Decolonization.”

My Political Science capstone explores the lasting impact of colonialism on Africa through means such as neocolonialism and Françafrique. My Philosophy capstone explores how colonized individuals can develop their identity, removed from colonialism.

Research, nonprofit work, and law school! I am looking forward to continuing my pursuit of knowledge.

Through McDaniel’s strong alumni network, my professors, student organizations, McDaniel events, and social media.

The financial aid I received from McDaniel eased the financial cost of attaining an education abroad. As an international student, school was particularly expensive because of the exchange rate between Nigeria and the U.S. God willing, I graduated college debt free.