Student spotlight: Mueni Ithau

“I am most proud of the work I have done through the Center for African Studies to foster community amongst the African community,” says public policy major Mueni Ithau, who graduates from Stanford this June.

During her time at Stanford, Mueni has helped to organize several events, including “These Are Our Stories,” a gathering centered around narratives of students at the Center for African Studies (CAS) and the Stanford African Students Association (SASA). She also served as the art director of “Rays of Love,” a portrait exhibit celebrating members of the CAS community.

Mueni chose to study public policy because she was interested in learning about its role in shaping and stimulating development. “I wanted to understand how policies can be established to create a conducive environment for economic, social, and political advancement,” she explained. Her degree has widened her global perspective, helped her understand complex issues related to economic development, and given her the tools to analyze policies and actions taken by the government, individuals, and corporations.

One of her favorite classes was Ethics on the Edge: Business, Non-Profit Organizations, Government and Individuals, which explored the increasing ethical challenges in a world in which technology, global risks, and societal developments are accelerating. “We explored a range of topics related to the ethics of innovations, ideas, policies, and practice that the law has not caught up to establishing what is right or wrong,” she said. “I enjoyed learning about the grey area and understanding how to think through and mitigate the negative consequences of topic areas in which there is no prior guideline.”

Mueni also enjoyed taking a Sophomore College seminar on mixed race during which she had the opportunity to view thought-provoking works of art at the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco.

As an undergraduate, Mueni worked on two unique projects. Through the Cardinal Quarter program, which offers students the opportunity to engage in full-time, quarter-long public service, she focused on finding sustainable income strategies for social enterprise. Her second project “was my senior practicum where I worked on strategies to retain naturally occurring affordable housing in Redwood City.”

Congratulations Mueni, and best of luck next year!

Please join us in congratulating the class of 2019! As the academic year draws to a close, we are highlighting students graduating from across our 14 programs. Click here to view more student spotlights.