Tawakalitu Jogunosimi
Tawakalitu M. Jogunosimi, AM 2001
“I want to be a change agent and have an impact by helping move issues forward. That is what SSA helped me understand, and what I hope to accomplish in the future.” Tawa Jogunosimi’s SSA experience has helped her succeed as an administrator for social and human service agencies.
Before enrolling at SSA, Ms. Jogunosimi had learned a great deal about neighborhoods, community organizations, and programs like CAPS through her work experiences. “My year working with AmeriCorps, and another year with a neighborhood community organization, gave me an insight into the management process of nonprofits. I knew that I wanted to learn more about the role of philanthropy in these organizations, and how public policy impacts them. That is when I looked to find a graduate school and found SSA. I was nervous about being accepted, but joyful when I received my letter of acceptance.”
Ms. Jogunosimi’s experience at SSA was wonderful from day one. “The first year was hard, but the professors were very helpful, and I also had support from some students. My feelings for the administration side of nonprofits solidified, as I was drawn to helping nonprofits better manage their resources.” She cites the ability to study and discuss diverse opinions, and the opportunity to take cross-disciplinary courses with students from other schools on campus, including the business and law schools, as other significant benefits of her education at SSA.
Ms. Jogunosimi is Director of Education Policy and Partnerships in the Office of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and her role is focused on supporting educational opportunities across the K-16 spectrum, with particular emphasis on high school and college. Earlier, from 2007 to 2010, Tawa worked as Assistant to Mayor Richard M. Daley for education.
Most recently, Tawa served as Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships as the City Colleges of Chicago. There, she helped support Reinvention, the District’s reform strategy designed to increase the number of graduates earning credentials of economic value and successfully transitioning to four year colleges and careers.
Tawa’s dedication to service goes beyond education, however. She has interned at the American Red Cross, Chicago Health Circle, and Advocates for Youth in Washington, DC. She also spent two and a half years with AmeriCorps, first as a VISTA member and later as a recruiter of new candidates. She currently serves on the Education Panel for the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Council.
Since her graduation in 2001, she has remained involved with the School both professionally and personally.