CECILIA SOWEMIMO
Admission Counselor and Coordinator of Multicultural Recruitment
Toll-free: 1-800-GUSTAVUS
Direct: (507) 933-7663
Screen name: ceceatgustavus (AOL, MSN, & Yahoo)
Territory: Twins Cities;
Education: B.A. International Management, Gustavus Adolphus College, 2007
I grew up in Georgia with my mom, dad, and two younger brothers, spending most of my childhood in Powder Springs, eventually graduating from McEachern High School. After graduating from high school, I continued my education at Gustavus focusing on business and Spanish. I studied abroad in Chile with frequent visits to Argentina. In college, I was involved with the cheer team and track (sprints) and many organizations such as Zeta Chi Phi Multicultural Sorority, Inc (treasurer) and the Pan-Afrikan Student Organization (social/cultural co-chair). After graduating from college, I continued to be involved with Gustavus as the cheer team coach.
What are your professional/work interests?
My professional interest is to show and tell individuals that college IS within their reach. I want to make sure they know that I support their post secondary dreams and will help in any way that I can. I also advocate and am active in the realm of multiculturalism. This is a topic that I am passionate about and I involve myself in organizations that also support this topic.
What are your most recent professional/work projects?
Working with the Diversity Center and being part of a group that advocates and brainstorms ideas for activities and events that benefit students who utilize the center, participate and/or are involved in different endeavors that come out of the Diversity Center. Also, brainstorming ideas on how to include more people.
What do you learn from interacting with Gustavus students?
I have learned that at Gustavus, students do not follow the stereotypical claims that if you are into athletics, you cannot be into academics or music or theater, among other things. When finding out about students, it does not surprise me to find a basketball player who plays the piano and has a 3.7 GPA; it is all common at Gustavus.
What do you value most about working at Gustavus?
I value Gustavus' strong community and its drive for excellence.
What are your hobbies?
I have many hobbies. Here is a short list of them: languages and culture, traveling, food, movies, sports (collegiate), March Madness, snowboarding. Yes, I know...it's very eclectic.
How have you been involved in the community?
I have been involved in my community through organizations like Zeta Chi Phi and Zeta Cafe in which we talk about topics that affect women today, and PASO in which I organized events that brought cultural awareness to campus about black (African, Afro-Caribbean and African-American cultures). In addition, I make sure I am a mentor for students, especially students of color who are currently in college.
What is your favorite Gustie tradition?
Midnight Express: While studying for my finals, I can at least be assured that my stomach will not suffer.
