Deborah Kakou

The Black Student Union (BSU) on the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Gainesville Campus gave Deborah Kakou a chance to step out of her comfort zone and find meaningful community in her early days as a student. It was "the place for me," she said.

So when Kakou became president of the group, she approached the role with great attention to detail, asking the right questions to ensure she could provide the type of support that meant so much to her.

"There's no such thing as being overly prepared or ready to embark on a new journey," Kakou said. "You're always going to encounter something new. Just be willing to learn."

This process entailed examining what truly mattered to her so she could put those convictions into action. Realizing the interconnected nature of her work with BSU shifted her perspective.

"It made me see things differently. I couldn't only think about what I thought was right or needed to be changed," Kakou said. "It needed to be in the context of our community. I was lucky to have a supportive team."

She won the Outstanding Commitment to Diversity Award in spring 2022. Kakou, a Lawrenceville, Georgia, resident scheduled to graduate in December 2022 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in management, particularly appreciated a cookout the BSU hosted at the end of the spring 2022 semester where people could learn about different African countries through the celebration of diverse foods and culture.

"I enjoyed seeing people engaged and curious about other cultural backgrounds," she said. "It's important for people to step out of their comfort zone and be willing to ask questions."

That inquisitive nature has remained an integral portion of her leadership, too.

"Don't feel pressured to know all the answers and have to figure it out alone," Kakou said. "Leadership is a team effort."