Every year, Jesuit Dallas welcomes new staff into our community to assist in the operation of the school. I had the privilege of interviewing the new Associate Director of College Counseling, Nyemike Okonkwo.
Who is Mr. Okonkwo?
Mr. Okonkwo completed an associate’s degree at Collin College and then transferred to the University of Texas at Dallas and completed his bachelor’s degree there. He became interested in working at Jesuit Dallas whilst he was managing the Scholar’s program at SMU. One of the students that he assisted through the program was part of Jesuit’s 2023 graduating class. “He assisted me through the [Jesuit] interview process,” said Okonkwo. “I used him to get familiarized with what the community [of Jesuit] was all about, and he had nothing but great things to say. It really reassured me about my decision to move from higher education into a higher education-adjacent role. At this point in my professional life, it’s really all about culture. Culture is everything.”
Hobbies & Interests
In his free time, Mr. Okonkwo enjoys a spirited game of tennis. “Any time I can, I like to play tennis.” the counselor stated. “It’s been hard to get out ever since my son was born three years ago, but I’ve been pretty good at getting out there at least once a week.” If you’re early enough to The Dell, you might catch the counselor pumping iron. “I get [to the gym] at around 5:00, 5:30, while things are still quiet.” He is also quite fond of the Apple TV Original Show Severance.
Preparing for College
Mr. Okonkwo recognizes the importance of the college application process at this point in student’s high school journeys. “I’m really concentrated on making sure that the parents and families are as well informed about the process as possible,” said the counselor. “I also want to make sure I’m as transparent as possible with students and families as well.” The newcomer also noted the importance of students feeling the ability of choice when applying to colleges. “The goal, ultimately, is as this process is unfolding, when they’re receiving admission decisions, late December, into the spring, we just want everybody to feel good as things are happening. In my opinion, that basically means they have options at the end of the day.” For more long-term goals, Mr. Okonkwo sees great opportunities to touch base with Sophomores and help them get the ball rolling when it comes to College Admissions. “Grade-wise, [Sophomores] can put themselves in a real great position and still have time with Junior year to shore that up and make it even stronger.”
Beliefs
While Mr. Okonkwo wouldn’t “qualify [himself] as a religious person,” spirituality and faith remain an important part of his life. Books such as Meditations by Marcus Aurelius and The Bhagavad Gita by Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa forma fundamental part of his spirituality. He is also a big fan of the practice of meditation. “Meditation is really about freeing yourself from the dualities of life. Never get too high, never get too low. It encourages me to stay, even, to stay centered.”
Final Thoughts
One last message from Mr. Okonkwo: “I also want you and the rest of the boys [At Jesuit] to know that the people here, your peers included are willing to support you and we all hope that when you look back on your time in Jesuit, you’ve found that that’s definitely true.” The new addition to Jesuit’s faculty is many things: a tennis player, a spiritual man, and a treasured member of every community that he’s been in. But the thing you most definitely cannot say about Mr. Okonkwo is that he is unfriendly and/or unwilling to help. To chat, seek help from, or get to know the new member of Jesuit Dallas’ staff, visit his office located across the hall from the Freshmen Commons.
Stay tuned into The Roundup for more teacher profiles!