African and Caribbean Student Union (AcsU)

“The main purpose of this organization is to teach others about our cultures and how different they are. Most students do not know the African and Caribbean countries that are represented on campus, and we wanted to give everyone an opportunity to know more about these countries. Most importantly, it is very difficult for us as international students to spend so much time away from home, and one way to get through it is to make friends who are willing to embrace our culture. So this organization provides an opportunity for people to connect and make new friends while learning about Africa and the Caribbean!”

What key characteristics make this organization outstanding?

“ACSU is outstanding because in as much as the members aim to share their culture with the YSU community, the members exist as a family on and off campus. They help and motivate each other when things get tough and they celebrate one another when they succeed. They attend people’s graduation ceremonies to celebrate their successes and they also host memorial ceremonies for lives of their friends that they lose. ACSU members create a home for anyone who needs a home by becoming their family and always supporting them. Anyone who has attended ACSU events can testify that they made new friends and they are probably still in contact with that new friend. The African and Caribbean Students Union is not like any other organization that just focuses on planning events and moving on, it also focuses on creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for students at YSU.”

SNLO Officers:

President: Tafadzwa Mapiki

Vice President: Kabir Abdullahi

Treasurer: Jenna Knowles

Assistant Treasurer: Gorretti Makora

Secretary: Naomi Herman

Programming Chair: Victoria Oluwasoorefumni Olayiwola

Assistant Programming Chair: Oluwatumininu Adeeko

Public Relations: Isha Sawaneh, Anahni Harris, Harold Tobias Adu-Twun

Graphics Designer: Chelda Okeke

Advisor: Susan Moorer

About the oRion AWARD puRpoSe

The Orion Award recognizes an exceptional student organization for its outstanding leadership and service to the university community during the current academic year.

CRiteRiA

• Nominees must be currently registered YSU student organizations.

• Nominees will have demonstrated success in the accomplishment of their goals and objectives.

• Nominees will have an outstanding record of service to and inclusion of the university community.

SeleCtion

The Student Awards Committee selects the student organization to be awarded the Orion Award from the applications and materials submitted.