Finding Her Voice Through Data: How GGU and Genesys Works Shaped Tutu’s Path

When Iteoluwa (TutuAladesanmi walked into her first college-level class at Golden Gate University, she was still in high school. As part of the Genesys Works–GGU partnership, she spent the summer of 2023 learning data science and analytics alongside peers who, like her, were getting their first taste of higher education.

Looking back, Tutu says the experience changed everything.

“The class wasn’t watered down just because we were high schoolers,” she remembers. “The assignments, the pace, the expectations, everything mirrored what a real college course is like. That made it so much easier for me to transition into college later.”

The rigor of the course wasn’t the only thing that stood out. She credits her professor, Jim, with creating a welcoming environment where students felt encouraged to speak up, ask questions, and take risks. “He came to class with an open spirit,” she says. “That support really made the program stand out.”

From GGU to Google

During the same summer she took the GGU course, Tutu also completed an internship at CBRE on the Google account, her first step into the corporate world. What surprised her was just how much she relied on the lessons she had learned at GGU.

“In class we practiced telling stories with data, looking for correlations, and not confusing correlation with causation. Those exact skills carried over into my internship,” she says. “Instead of walking in with no idea what I was doing, I had the foundation I needed to succeed.”

Even something as practical as learning Excel made a difference. “Before the program, I had never really used Excel. At GGU, we learned advanced functions and data management. That knowledge gave me confidence not just in school but in a professional setting.”

Defining Her Future

Today, Tutu is a second-year data science major at UC Davis, where she continues to explore how data can drive meaningful change. Her time at GGU and with Genesys Works gave her clarity about her goals and a sense of purpose.

“I always knew I wanted to use technology to make a difference, but I wasn’t sure how. Learning how data tells stories helped me realize I could use it for equity and mental health initiatives,” she says.

At UC Davis, she serves as a mental health ambassador on the data team, analyzing student data to shape new wellness initiatives. She’s also considering a minor in African and African American studies to explore how data can shed light on inequities in education and policy.

Owning Her Story

Tutu, a first-generation college student originally from Nigeria, admits she was nervous stepping into a college classroom while still in high school. But the experience taught her to trust herself.

“I was timid at first. I have an accent, and I worried about speaking up. But the program encouraged me to lean into that discomfort,” she explains. “I realized that everyone has a unique story, and we should own that. That’s what makes us strong.”

It’s the same advice she now shares with other high school students in the program: believe in yourself, take up space, and make the most of the opportunities in front of you.

A Lasting Impact

For Tutu, the GGU–Genesys Works partnership was more than just a summer program, it was the launching point for her academic and professional journey. She even wrote about the experience in her University of California applications, reflecting on how it shaped her decision to pursue data science.

“If I hadn’t taken data analysis at GGU, I don’t know if I would have chosen this path,” she says. “The program gave me clarity about what I want to do and the confidence to pursue it.”

As she looks ahead to the rest of her college career—and beyond—Tutu carries with her the lessons learned from that first summer at Golden Gate University: the importance of hard work, the courage to speak up, and the power of data to change lives.