Student Spotlight: Christine Owojori, MSN ’25
A passion for healthcare and a desire to uplift her community have shaped Christine Owojori’s path—and her time at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science is helping her turn those aspirations into action.
A student in the Mervyn M. Dymally College of Nursing’s Entry-Level Master of Science in Nursing (ELM) program, Owojori is set to graduate in December 2025. She describes her experience in the program as both invigorating and transformative.
“This is the first time I’ve felt truly challenged while also being supported,” she said. “My professors hold me accountable, and I’m exploring specialties I wouldn’t have otherwise considered.”
Owojori was born and raised in Carson, California, in a family of first-generation Nigerian immigrants. Her interest in healthcare was sparked early, thanks to her time at King/Drew Magnet High School of Medicine and Science—a medical and science magnet school designed to meet the needs of underrepresented young people with an interest in medicine and science. It was there that she was first exposed to experience-based learning in hospitals, observing healthcare professionals in action.
“That was my first real exposure to healthcare—seeing nurses, doctors, physical therapists, and speech therapists in action,” she said. “It invigorated my passion for the field and confirmed that this was the path I wanted to take.”
After earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Prairie View A&M University, Owojori gained hands-on experience in both clinical and administrative settings. But when she decided to pursue an advanced nursing degree, she knew she wanted a learning environment that emphasized small class sizes, faculty she could identify with, and community impact.
Already familiar with CDU’s legacy—thanks to its location next door to King/Drew—Owojori was drawn to the University’s mission and values. A campus visit during a Discover CDU event sealed the deal.
“I had the chance to tour the campus, meet professors, and see the beautiful simulation labs,” she said. “It felt like a home away from home—except this time, it was right in my backyard.”
On campus, Owojori finds motivation in the words of CDU’s namesake, Dr. Charles R. Drew, displayed at the University’s grand entrance: “Excellence of performance will transcend the artificial barriers of man.”
“I always encourage my peers to reflect on that, especially during stressful exam weeks,” she said. “These tests are important, but they are just artificial barriers. What we can control is our effort and commitment to excellence.”