By Avery Bennett

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Driven by a passion to combat gender-based violence and improve women’s health, Louisette Abikou’s journey from the Republic of Benin to the halls of the UC College of Nursing has been a testament to perseverance and dedication. With a foundation rooted in an undergraduate nursing degree and a subsequent master’s in public health, Abikou’s academic and professional pursuits have been steadfastly geared towards these pressing issues. According to a story by UC News, the West African nurse has amassed about a decade of hands-on clinical experience coupled with a stint in academia.

Despite her solid background, Abikou faced the financial barrier that so often throttles dreams, hindering many from reaching their scholarly potential. However, the resolve to advocate for traumatized women propelled her forward. I thought that coming from Africa, I thought that this is not just an important issue, it’s an urgent one, and I was always very passionate about it, Abikou told UC in an interview.

A turning point arrived when a peer enlightened Abikou about the UC College of Nursing’s graduate assistant programs, which offer grants and stipends, covering tuition costs. She recounted in an interview with UC News, “I jumped at applying.” Her credentials and fervor resonated with the professors who interviewed her for the Ph.D. program. Blown away by her profile, they eagerly anticipated her addition to their academic community.

Upon being selected for the program, Louisette experienced an affirmation of her dreams that had long seemed distant. “I got an interview, and the two professors who interviewed me were completely blown away. They were like, ‘We can’t wait to have you.’ That was the first time I just felt like my dream was actually going to come true,” Abikou said, recounting her feelings to UC News. The narrative of her journey underscores not only her personal victory but also shines a light on the potential for academic institutions to break down financial barriers and empower change-makers from around the globe.