AYELIYA BRINGS PERSONAL CONNECTION TO ASG

Mt. Hood’s ASG (Associated Student Government) will have a new adviser next year: Doctor Abio Ayeliya will step into the position of Student Leadership and Engagement Coordinator later this month.

Ayeliya is returning to Oregon from Salt Lake City Community College, where he has advised their student government. He is a graduate of Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, and is happy to return home.

“I do love Oregon. It’s green, very pretty, very nice, and it’s my background,” said Ayeliya, whose given name is Doctor.

After graduating from Ghana Secondary School in Africa, Ayeliya had a vision to be an executive at an international corporation, so he went to EOU and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in Business Administration.

Unfortunately, the economy was still suffering from the 2008 recession while Ayeliya was pursuing his corporate dreams. Instead, he found his calling with the student government at EOU. Ayeliya said he was lonely and wished to connect with people on campus, so he joined the student government.

Until then, Ayeliya didn’t know how to be part of a group, he said. “Student government was the place I found first… that when you engage in student activities, or student government – you are able to connect with other students similar to you or who may have the same or similar views as you have,” he said.

Ayeliya has a master’s degree in public administration. He is the executive director of Sabu Help International, a nonprofit organization that helps people in Africa start small businesses, get an education, and help lift themselves out of poverty.

With Mt. Hood being a public institution, Ayeliya said that “it fits into my mission of serving for the general welfare of the community.”

When he’s not working as an adviser for student governments, he is either working with his nonprofit organization, biking with his wife, or spending time with his three children.

Ayeliya said he wishes to encourage students at Mt. Hood to find their passion.

“Don’t let people influence your choices, but follow your passion. Because when you follow your passion you will always enjoy what you do,” he said.

He would like to see students be prepared for whatever life brings forth: “Stay positive, and always be ready to accept any challenges of any failures and any success that comes to your life, because life is a journey.”

A final piece of advice that he would encourage students to follow is to leave behind a legacy.

“The society needs us, and you have to be (the) contribution to the community because when you are a part of it you want to make it better,” he said.

Advocate Staff