November 2021
The best table crew #MaysWLI.
Phew, do you realize we are over 320 days gone this year? Even better, less than 30 days until the end of fall semester 2021. I don’t know about you, but I am immensely thankful for the numerous blessings that have come my way. It didn’t look like it earlier on as we grappled with the impact of the pandemic. Heck, families are still grieving the loss of loved ones. While we come to terms with such difficulty, we must still hope and show resilience as we navigate onward and heal.
As I reflect on the myriad assignments, projects, papers, research, and activities that inundated my 1st year as a Ph.D. student, I start to feel a sense of victory knowing I gave it my best shot; and that shot is quite good enough! It made me ecstatic to realize just how good when I attended the Women’s Leadership Initiative Conference #MaysWLI on ring day. I spent the entire day drinking in the strength of women who had only one purpose: to deliver the roadmap to “Reinvent Your Narrative: Leading with Strength and Resilience.” I had several awesome moments, and I would highly recommend you plan to attend the 2022 edition. From the amazing people I shared a table with, to the good food, tangible connection, and quality teachable moments – it was rejuvenating. We also had a redefinition of the word resilience: “the capacity to adapt to a difficult experience and use it to move forward – courageously.” Like a muscle, we must keep engaging our strengths to attain efficacy. Importantly, we can change our narrative from a place of awareness that we do not have to be overwhelmed by the shadow narratives thrown at us. Rather, we must respond with our inner strength and embrace the capacity to thrive. We are phenomenal and that is a reality we can lead with… *exhale*.
So, as I pen my final blog for the semester, I must relive the incredible blessings, friendships, and opportunities I am thankful for. I am thankful for my family – they are my world. For my amazing professor – Dr. Jack Elliot and the entire Africa Team and staff of the Norman Borlaug Institute – we’ve got a lot of work to do! The wonderful faculty and staff at the ALEC department who made learning worth it this semester – thank you! My walk partner and friend Alexis (we made a commitment to walk every day, and we are doing it – go team!!). The numerous people I shared a smile/word with, the beautiful hearts who extend grace to others, the Grad School community, the amazing folks at Grace Bible Church, everyone who has ever given me an opportunity – and for you reading this – because you are a blessing to the world. Finally, I am thankful for Aggieland, for being a home to us all. You know what, take a moment, do yourself a good deed: be thankful for you!
– Woome
Olawunmi Ilesanmi is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications.
Phew, do you realize we are over 320 days gone this year? Even better, less than 30 days until the end of fall semester 2021. I don’t know about you, but I am immensely thankful for the numerous blessings that have come my way. It didn’t look like it earlier on as we grappled with the impact of the pandemic. Heck, families are still grieving the loss of loved ones. While we come to terms with such difficulty, we must still hope and show resilience as we navigate onward and heal.
As I reflect on the myriad assignments, projects, papers, research, and activities that inundated my 1st year as a Ph.D. student, I start to feel a sense of victory knowing I gave it my best shot; and that shot is quite good enough! It made me ecstatic to realize just how good when I attended the Women’s Leadership Initiative Conference #MaysWLI on ring day. I spent the entire day drinking in the strength of women who had only one purpose: to deliver the roadmap to “Reinvent Your Narrative: Leading with Strength and Resilience.” I had several awesome moments, and I would highly recommend you plan to attend the 2022 edition. From the amazing people I shared a table with, to the good food, tangible connection, and quality teachable moments – it was rejuvenating. We also had a redefinition of the word resilience: “the capacity to adapt to a difficult experience and use it to move forward – courageously.” Like a muscle, we must keep engaging our strengths to attain efficacy. Importantly, we can change our narrative from a place of awareness that we do not have to be overwhelmed by the shadow narratives thrown at us. Rather, we must respond with our inner strength and embrace the capacity to thrive. We are phenomenal and that is a reality we can lead with… *exhale*.
So, as I pen my final blog for the semester, I must relive the incredible blessings, friendships, and opportunities I am thankful for. I am thankful for my family – they are my world. For my amazing professor – Dr. Jack Elliot and the entire Africa Team and staff of the Norman Borlaug Institute – we’ve got a lot of work to do! The wonderful faculty and staff at the ALEC department who made learning worth it this semester – thank you! My walk partner and friend Alexis (we made a commitment to walk every day, and we are doing it – go team!!). The numerous people I shared a smile/word with, the beautiful hearts who extend grace to others, the Grad School community, the amazing folks at Grace Bible Church, everyone who has ever given me an opportunity – and for you reading this – because you are a blessing to the world. Finally, I am thankful for Aggieland, for being a home to us all. You know what, take a moment, do yourself a good deed: be thankful for you!
– Woome
Olawunmi Ilesanmi is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications.