Cynthia Okafor, a PhD candidate studying pharmaceutics in the University of Iowa (UI) College of Pharmacy from Agulu, Nigeria, and a recipient of a 2025 Global Student Award, exemplifies how mentorship and community can transform international education. 

She has served as vice president of the University of Iowa chapter of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS), mentors students across Africa through the U.S. Department of State’s EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program, has funded the “Unlocking Academic Excellence Conference” in Nigeria, serves on the International Student Advisory Board, and volunteers with International Neighbors.

Read a Q&A with Cynthia below:
 

In what ways are you involved with international education?

I am engaged in advancing international education through mentorship, collaboration, and community building. As the vice president of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) University of Iowa Chapter, I worked alongside dedicated colleagues on the leadership team to organize workshops, globally focused scientific events, professional panels with faculty and industry experts, and other creative initiatives. These efforts benefited local and international students, enabling them to learn from the experiences of those who have successfully navigated similar academic and career paths, explore their inner creativity, and relieve themselves from the stress of school after weeks of exams through a coffee and doughnut break.

Beyond campus, I serve as a mentor with the EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program - a U.S. Department of State initiative. Through this platform, I guide bright and academically promising students through the process of securing graduate admissions and scholarships in the United States. My mentorship and speaking engagements have helped many students access international education opportunities they once thought impossible, equipping them to get the education that can grow them into experts in their field to benefit the world at large, even if it means going abroad to get the best education to meet that goal.

What are some other campus or community involvement activities you’ve been a part of?

In giving back to my alma mater, the first and best university in Nigeria, I founded and personally funded the “Unlocking Academic Excellence Conference” at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, to equip hundreds of undergraduates with the knowledge and inspiration to pursue global academic success. The first conference was in July 2024, and I hope to keep up with this initiative as much as I am able to.

At Iowa, I continue to support international students through the International Students Advisory Board, where I serve as a board member, and the Peer-2-Peer Mentorship Program, organized by the UI Graduate College, where I serve as a mentor, helping new graduate students feel welcome and empowered to thrive in a new academic setting.

As a volunteer with International Neighbors, I have actively fostered intercultural friendships among students from over 30 countries through events such as trips to an Amish farm and lake MacBride, as well as a bonfire and hayride. These activities created opportunities for students to connect across cultures through shared experiences, food, and outdoor games. Within my first year at the University of Iowa, I rose to a leadership role in the organization, where I continue to promote mutual edification and cross-cultural understanding.

Additionally, I co-organized the 2024 and 2025 welcome events for Nigerian students and professionals in Iowa City, creating a community of belonging.

What is the most valuable thing you have learned through your international education experiences?

No man is an island. I have been an international student twice —in Ghana and in the U.S. —and I can’t downplay the role of community in aiding adaptation to a new country. The most beautiful fish in the sea still needs water to stay alive. To record success in international education, the environment really matters. Accurate information and mentorship can make a huge difference. Access to the right knowledge can define a student’s success abroad. My own journey —from mentee to mentor —has shown me that mentorship builds resilience and a sense of belonging. Leaving my home country, Nigeria, at the age of 16 years old taught me that international education is both challenging and beautiful—an experience that cultivates independence and courage.

Please share a message with your fellow classmates about the importance of international education.

International education is not just about traveling—it’s about the transformation that comes with it. It opens our minds to new cultures, challenges our assumptions, and reminds us that no one thrives in isolation. When people from diverse backgrounds learn, research, and solve problems together, innovation blossoms and shared humanity shines through. So, I encourage you: step out of your comfort zone, connect beyond borders, and use your education to make the world better—one collaboration at a time. Be the reason why a fellow student or group member is strengthened to stretch beyond their current capacity and not the reason they are considering dropping out of the program. Your kind words and encouragement can go a long way.

What are your future academic or career goals?

My goal is to be a professor of pharmaceutics and a scientific innovator, developing advanced drug delivery systems and medical technologies that enhance global healthcare. I aim to lead interdisciplinary research groups, mentoring students and scientists to drive scientific discoveries and promote innovative and impactful solutions in medicine. 

International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement.  IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.