By Adesina Wahab 

Oluyemisi Oloniyo is a distinguished educational psychologist from Lagos, Nigeria, a place that has profoundly influenced her academic career for over two decades.

Her passion for early childhood education, teacher training, research, and evaluation has propelled her to the Center for Civic Engagement at Washington State University, where she has carved an impressive academic and professional trajectory. 

Her pursuit of excellence brought her to Washington State University, where she earned a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology. Her master’s thesis: Evaluating Early Childhood Education Programs, highlights her commitment to enhancing educational practices. 

Oluyemisi’s robust academic foundation has led to significant contributions in education. She has served as an External Evaluator for NSF-funded projects, including the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program and a Collaborative Research project on writing transfer in engineering lab courses. Her expertise in education and evaluation and dedication to improving educational initiatives make her an invaluable asset to the field. 

Her research interests span many impactful areas, including early childhood education, program evaluation, teacher development, curriculum development, culturally responsive teaching, trauma-informed education, and experiential learning. 

Her work is not just about addressing critical issues but also about shaping the future of education and enhancing student learning outcomes. As the former Collegiate Recovery Project Coordinator at Washington State University, she demonstrates her commitment to supporting students’ educational journeys.

Oluyemisi’s leadership and vision are not confined to academia. 

Oluyemisi Oloniyo’s commitment to experiential learning and community engagement was further demonstrated by her active facilitation of the Community Engaged Scholars workshop at Washington State University, Vancouver Campus on May 21 and 22, 2024. This comprehensive workshop was designed to empower professors to become influential leaders in guiding undergraduate and graduate students through the Foundational Principles of Community Engaged Teaching.

The workshop’s core objective was to extend the educational experience beyond the traditional classroom setting, integrating practical, real-world applications with academic theories. By fostering this hands-on learning approach, participants were encouraged to engage directly with the community, address local issues, and contribute to meaningful projects.