Temilade Ayo Aladeokin

My name is Temilade “Temmy” Ayo Aladeokin. My academic path began with a pursuit of technical mastery, earning a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Nigeria. After graduating in 2008, I found myself drawn to something deeper, with a desire to understand and address the human complexities that accompany technological progress.

That desire led me to Northern Norway, where I earned a Master’s Degree in Peace and Conflict Transformation at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. With this new perspective, I embarked on a nine-year journey with the United Nations, serving as a consultant on sustainable youth development and governance.

Still, my hunger for knowledge persisted. I felt called to better understand the human psyche — its resilience and vulnerabilities — which led me to pursue a second Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

Life then brought me to Maryland, where I sought a doctoral program that could integrate my diverse academic and professional experiences. Bowie State University, one of the nation’s oldest HBCUs, stood out for its rich history and deep commitment to social justice. 

Through Bowie State University’s Educational Leadership doctoral program at The Universities at Shady Grove (USG), I’ve found a community that has helped me unite my varied interests. As the student representative to the Board of Advisors (2022–2023 and 2024-2025) and a member of the Student Council, I’ve grown as both a scholar and a leader, supported by a campus environment that values collaboration and inclusion.

Graduation in spring 2026 will mark the culmination of this journey but also the beginning of a larger mission: to return to the United Nations and help shape educational policies in developing nations. I envision universities as anchor institutions for community wealth building, fostering sustainable, equitable development. The USG model, with its innovative and collaborative approach, offers a powerful blueprint.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunities and support I’ve received at USG and Bowie State University. This experience has transformed me not only as a scholar, but as a global citizen committed to harnessing education as a force for positive change. I proudly carry forward the values that have shaped my journey and embrace the role of lifelong ambassador for this vision.