Rofiat Olasunkanmi is starting her fourth year as a Bridge Coach at Kurt Hahn Expeditionary Learning High School in Brooklyn. A near-peer leader in CARA’s College Bridge program, Rofiat is moving towards completing a B.S. in healthcare management at New York University. She also participated in the Fostering Advancement & Careers through Enrichment Training in Science (FACETS) program at Harvard’s School of Public Health this past Summer.
I heard you participated in the FACETS program at Harvard’s School of Public Health this summer. Tell us about your experience.
There were just nine of us in the program. So it was really good to be able to meet like-minded students. Aside from taking classes, that was my first time working on research. I was excited but also nervous because I did not want to mess up the opportunity or make it seem like I wasn’t taking it seriously. My research question was about barriers undocumented African immigrants face accessing healthcare services. I realized that we have a lot of studies and dissertations that talk about the Latino undocumented population but we have very little resources that actually talk about undocumented African immigrants. It wasn’t easy, but I enjoyed learning about the barriers in accessing anything, and of course the health care system. And I thought about getting my PhD, but I’m not sure yet. Maybe a dual degree program. I’m open to becoming a healthcare administrator or patient advocate.
What are the differences you’re seeing this year in the application processes and how the students are doing?
After COVID, it’s just harder. We have students that are less motivated in the college process and fewer students that actually want to go to college. We have students who start applying but then stop coming to school. But I also work with them in the summer to actually finish the process. But in the summer they have to work to help their families. There are fewer resources.
How did you get involved in being a Bridge Coach at Kurt Hahn?
[The school’s previous Bridge Coach] told me about it and it sounded], learning how to actually help students, and especially with navigating being a 12th grader and the application process. [To be able to say – I was just like you! In fact, I’m still like you. I’m just in college. So] you can definitely do this!What’s a moment that has stuck with you from your experience working with students?
Last year I worked with a student who was conflicted about going away or staying in the city because she has to stay with her mom who has some health issues. She was so excited that she got into the HEOP program at Marist and she wanted to visit, so I went with her. I was able to be there for her and let her know she’s not alone, ask questions when she was scared or didn’t know what to ask for. She didn’t end up going there, but I’m glad I was able to be there. It’s always very important to just make people feel like they’re not alone.
Given that, why do you think college access and career access are important in your community?
I feel like through coaches like myself it gives students more ability to realize that you’re capable. It also makes it easier for them to breathe, right? Because in 12th grade there are a lot of things you need to get done. So having people in positions like myself or just having college access as a whole and having what we are getting trained in, being empowered with resources to be able to help students, it makes their life easier.
What have you learned and accomplished as a Bridge Coach?
I’ve learned to advocate for myself. I’ve also learned how to be more confident in professional spaces. For example this summer I was an orientation leader at NYU for incoming freshman and transfer students. We had to present to them and tell them how to navigate NYU. I wasn’t nervous to talk to them and my peers were like, “”Rofiat you’re a pro!” And there are days where I need to host sessions [for Kurt Hahn students] and talk to them about financial aid or CUNY schools or SUNY schools. Sometimes I need to stand in front of their [class] with their teachers and talk to them. So I’m used to being in spaces like that.