Ashamoye Mullings began her academic journey at Oakland University as a nursing major. However, she quickly realized she did not feel an intense passion for the nursing field. It became clear to Mullings that her true academic passion was to become a hospital administrator. Thus, Mullings changed her major to health and wellness promotion and has not looked back since.
With her sights set on a career in public health, Mullings spent her free time participating in a variety of different organizations and positions around campus.
“I’m involved in a lot of things around campus,” Mullings said. “I’m the Little Big Sister Coordinator for Project Big Sister, I’m a Core Ambassador and I already applied for grad school for public health, so those are the big things I’m looking forward to. Before I graduate, I want to make it one of my best years academically.”
Along with participating in several great opportunities around campus, Mullings became a 2024 Keeper of the Dream Scholarship award recipient this January. Mullings first heard of the award through her past mentor, Mariama Toure.
“During my freshman year, my mentor who was also in the Core program, Mariama Toure, was a past Keeper of the Dream recipient and I remember her telling you that when I got older, I should apply for it,” Mullings said. “During my sophomore year, I was really nervous because I thought I was not going to be picked for that, and I wouldn’t get it. Finally, I was in my junior year and I just said I should apply for it.”
Besides her mentor, Mullings’ family was a major support during the application process.
“My mom is a really big support, along with my aunt and uncle,” Mulling said. “They really helped me confidence-wise with self-esteem. Doing good in college, joining activities to get involved, it was all possible with them. They really helped me that way.”
The process for applying for the Keeper of the Dream award can be stressful, but it can also be insightful and gratifying. Mullings explains how rewarding it was to apply for the award.
“One thing that really stood out to me when I was applying was it really makes you think about what you have done to service or help the community,” Mullings said. “It helped me think about giving back to the community.”
Students looking to take a shot at the award might feel nervous or underqualified when applying. Mullings’ advice for those planning on applying for the award is to overcome their feelings of uncertainty and just go for it.
“I would say go for it,” Mullings said. “If you know you’ve been doing well in school, you know you’ve been a nice public figure, they’re gonna be rewarded for being a good citizen. It’s nerve-wracking, but I’d say still apply for it because you never know.”
After graduation, Mullings plans to pursue a career in hospital administration. One of her top hospitals to work in is Corewell Health, but she wants to find work in underserved areas as well. Regardless of where she ends up, Mullings is looking to make a difference in the lives of her patients.
