Titilayo Okoror Experience Essay

I am writing on behalf of Titilayo Okoror for Binghamton University Undergraduate Research Mentoring award. I have known Dr. Okoror for three years now as a professor and mentor. My first introduction to Dr. Okoror was as a student in both Global Health and Immigrant and Refugee Health courses. During my time as her student, Dr. Okoror’s course quickly became my most thought-provoking and enlightening classes of my university experience. From her lesson plans, teaching of materials and leading of class discussion, her classes were informative, compelling and most importantly life changing. Life-changing may seem like an exaggeration, however, Dr. Okoror constructs course using interesting materials and allows such comprehensive conversation amongst her students that you leave each classroom with some type of new knowledge that often festers for my days, even weeks and expands your knowledge and typically changes your previous mindset about the way you view a certain subject. I don’t believe many course hold this same type of effect on students.
I also worked as a teaching assistant for a level 400 health course.
As her teaching assistant, I got the privilege of working more closely with Dr. Okoror and in a more advanced educational affiliation. Through this experience, Dr. Okoror greatly attributed to my personal and professional life. Through her example as a lecturer and through her one on one interactions with students, she exemplified a dedicated and passionate professor, who truly invested her time and energy into her work. As the TA, I had a close relationship with the students in the class, whom often voiced their appreciation for Dr. Okoror’s teaching style, generosity and overall disposition. Through my experience as her TA, I learned about grading, running class discussion, student-teacher relationships, but most importantly how passion and a general appreciation of your job and towards students can effect a classroom and
career.

It comes to no surprise to me that Dr. Okoror was nominated for this award, as I have witnessed many times, the effect she has on her students, and the effect her classes leave on her students for many years to come.

As a student and mentee of Dr. Okoror’s, she has constant encouraged me to always reach and achieve more in my studies and hopeful career in academia. Through her support and example, I have gained teaching skills and life-long qualities that I know will help me achieve the same level of respect and love she has gained in her field.

I support her nominations strongly. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or further information.