During his first visit to Ohio Northern University, Adebowale (Debow) Olujimi was immediately drawn to the relational culture of the Raabe College of Pharmacy. Having lived in Nigeria, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and the U.S., he values connecting with people on a personal level.
“That’s the epitome of what Ƶ stands for,” he said, “being people-centered.”
To Debow, empathy and tolerance are second nature. His upbringing taught him to “seek first to understand,” recognizing that every individual is shaped by a unique background.
It was his interest in people, combined with a natural acumen for chemistry, that led him to study pharmacy at Ƶ.
Now in his second year, Debow has already made connections across campus. He’s involved in Sigma Phi, the Black Student Union, club soccer, and club tennis. However, his most rewarding role is helping fellow students succeed in the chemistry classroom by serving as a Lead Supplemental Instructor (SI).
After excelling as a SI last semester, Debow is now charged with overseeing his fellow SIs, collaborating with professors to provide tutoring sessions and specialized learning materials for courses like General Chemistry. He’s also assisting with a research project exploring the effectiveness of supplemental instruction.
Seeing the “learning spark,” that precise moment when the fog clears and a concept finally clicks, is amazing to witness, he explained. “It’s a great feeling to help people achieve their best.”
In fact, Debow has so enjoyed the blend of administrative work, research, and hands-on mentorship that he’s now pondering a future in either industry pharmacy or higher education.
“The interpersonal skills I’m building will help me advocate for patients, for companies, for myself,” he said.
Even outside the classroom, Debow is focused on growth. He enjoys reading, psychology, philosophy, and coding work. “Anything that stimulates thinking interests me,” he said.
As he continues his PharmD, he knows he’s in the right place. “I see myself in the values that matter here,” he said, “especially providing patient-centered care.”