Summary
Meet Olamide Irabor-Musa, a Student Fellow whose interest in mental health advocacy and public health is shaping how she understands accessibility, research, and student support in higher education.
Turning Mental Health Advocacy Into Research
Olamide “Ola” Irabor-Musa is a Student Fellow at the National Disability Center for Student Success and a junior Health and Society major with an Educational Psychology minor at The University of Texas at Austin. Her academic interests include mental health, disability advocacy, and public health reform. After completing her undergraduate degree, Ola hopes to pursue a Master’s in public health and work in community public health.
For Ola, these interests connect through a shared goal: understanding people’s experiences and helping build better systems of support. Her coursework in Health and Society helps her think more deeply about health, resources, and community well-being. On the other hand, her Educational Psychology minor connects to her interest in how students learn, seek support, and navigate college life.
“These areas of study connect to my interest in mental health research and advocacy,” Ola shared, adding that her public health coursework has helped her better understand “reforms and resources that can aid communities to better their individual and overall health.”
Ola’s advocacy work continues to grow through her involvement with On the Moov, a disability advocacy organization. Through that community, she is learning more about accessibility and how it can support individuals and communities in different ways.
Why the Center?
Ola was inspired to join the Center after her experience with On the Moov and the opportunity to learn from people with different backgrounds and perspectives. That experience encouraged her to keep building her understanding of accessibility and explore how research can identify what supports students and what creates barriers.
“I was inspired to join the Center because of On the Moov and being able to interact with individuals of varying, unique backgrounds,” Ola shared. “Learning more about these individuals inspired me to want to join a space, such as the Center, to continue to broaden my knowledge about accessibility.”
At the Center, Ola is especially excited to work with Dr. Denisa Gándara on research related to mental health in college students. The topic connects closely to her academic interests and future goals in public health.
“Right now, we are working on studying more about mental health in college students, which is a topic that interests me a lot,” Ola said. “I am also excited to work with and hear from people with different backgrounds.”
As a Student Fellow, Ola will:
- Contribute to research on mental health in college students with Dr. Denisa Gándara.
- Support the Center’s mission through research, advocacy, and awareness-building.
- Collaborate with Center’s team members on projects connected to accessibility and student support.
- Continue building knowledge in areas such as mental health research, AI, and accessibility.
For Ola, being part of the Center means contributing to a larger team effort. She sees collaboration as an important part of advancing accessibility in higher education.
“I believe that my role can allow for more hands to be on the Center’s mission of advancing accessibility,” Ola shared. “The more hands that are involved in research, advocacy, and raising awareness, the better, because it allows for more collaborative work to get done.”
Learning Through Community and Lived Experience
Ola’s connection to the Center’s mission is personal and rooted in a willingness to keep learning from others. Her interest in mental health disabilities and accessibility is shaped by her own experiences and by a desire to help expand support for students navigating similar challenges.
“I navigate my own mental health struggles, therefore learning more about mental health disabilities and being able to create ways to expand accessibility to other individuals navigating that is what connects me to the center,” she shared.
That personal connection gives Ola a clear reason for engaging in disability research and advocacy. Her broader interest in public health also helps her see how individual experiences can point to larger patterns and needs across communities.
“Just have an open mind and be willing to learn,” she said. “A key part of research and advocacy is meeting people with different disabilities and understanding their experiences.”
This mindset shapes how Ola approaches her role at the Center. She brings forth an enthusiastic mindset to contribute to mental health research. In addition, she wishes to also learn about new areas such as AI and accessibility.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Ola hopes her experience at the Center will deepen her understanding of advocacy. Additionally, she wants to learn how to support communities through research and public health. She is eager to build skills in research, advocacy, and accessibility while deepening her understanding of student experiences.
The Center also connects to her long-term goal of working in community public health. Through her time as a Student Fellow, she is building a foundation for understanding how access, mental health, and student support intersect in higher education.
“The Center means a lot to me because I can help individuals and create more accessible spaces,” she shared.
For her, this work begins with learning from others. Her time at the Center offers a space to listen closely, contribute to mental health research, and help support changes that can make higher education more accessible for students.
