Olusola Fawehinmi, a SUNY Oswego master of business administration major from Nigeria, is one of just 10 students to join a prestigious national leadership program.

Fawehinmi recently earned an invitation from the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) for its 2025 Student Leaders Program, an opportunity for exceptional business students to learn and connect during the spring semester.

“It’s preparing us to be future leaders in real estate and also introducing us to various parts of the real estate market,” Fawehinmi said.

Recipients receive access to on-demand virtual classes, professional development workshops and opportunities to network with other future leaders as well as industry professionals.

“One of the classes, for example, is about effective public speaking,” said Fawehinmi, who put this skill to use in emceeing the recent 3-Minute Thesis competition on campus for graduate students. “It’s a very interesting program. I’m definitely getting a lot from it. I feel very privileged to be selected for it.”

The experience came through a contact who attended the university’s Real Estate Conference, hosted by the Real Estate Club of which Fawehinmi is a member. He also earned a scholarship that provides 75 percent off of some other classes offered by the organization.

“I was able to channel past experiences and things I’ve done here to become part of the program,” Fawehinmi said.

Extensive experience

With extensive experience in interior design and architecture, Fawehinmi wanted to take the next step and looked into ways to further his education in the United States or Europe. 

“I fell in love with interior design,” Fawehinmi said. He worked with two architectural firms and then ran his own interior design studio for around five years. 

He visited the U.S. on holiday and toured several schools, but SUNY Oswego stood out for multiple reasons. Living in Lagos, one of Nigeria’s biggest cities, made him interested in something less crowded and with a slower pace. Lake Ontario was a natural attraction as well. But meeting people in the MBA program really made the decision easier.

“All of the faculty and staff here are very warm to work with,” Fawehinmi said. “I did campus visits at other schools and that was one of the things that really stood out to me more than other colleges.” 

He called Irene Scruton, the assistant dean of the School of Business and director of MBA programs, “amazing” and had similar praise for others he’s connected with.

“The classes here are very hands-on and practical,” Fawehinmi said. “You have so many opportunities on campus.”

While Fawehinmi is pursuing the MBA full-time, he appreciates meeting other students who are full-time professionals or working mothers looking to get back into the field. “It’s a very diverse mix,” he said.

“My interest is in real estate development, especially mixed-use development, where you have living space, retail and workplaces in the same building,” Fawehinmi explained. “There’s where real estate is going now. Everybody wants to be in certain areas, and mixed-use is the optimum use of these areas.”

Fawehinmi is also learning a lot by working as a student project manager in the university’s Facility Services Major Projects Department, where he works on projects ranging from the current Hewitt Hall renovations to future projects with Mahar Hall and Penfield Library.

He appreciates that Facilities Services, led by Assistant Vice President Mitch Fields, has people with architectural and design backgrounds, providing him with meaningful and enjoyable work. Fawehinmi also said he receives positive feedback that departments like working with him as well.

In addition to being active in business-related activities, Fawehinmi also serves as director of design for the inaugural TEDxSUNY Oswego on April 11.

“My eye for detail, design sense and ability to communicate will serve me well in this industry,” Fawehinmi said.