“She is amazing. She is an absolute beacon of joy and light,” said Director of Communication Studies (CMST) Scott Gratson (he/him) of CMST student Yaya Mandiwanzira (she/her).

Gratson had the pleasure of teaching Mandiwanzira in CMST 1111: Communication and Public Life and noted that all of the students in the class seem to be drawn to her insight, with some even suggesting she should host her own TED Talk.

Mandiwanzira is pursuing the entrepreneurship track in the CMST program and is full of business ideas ranging from opening a boba tea shop to running a personal styling service. The latter is one she has already achieved.

Through her service, The K Closet, Mandiwanzira connects with people that are looking for everything from one outfit template to a whole new wardrobe designed just for them. She conducts analysis of the individual and focuses on growing through fashion so the client leaves feeling confident.

Mandiwanzira’s passion for creativity has extended to her work in the communications field. After an internship in 2020 with AB Communications back home in Zimbabwe, the company recently reached out to her to be a part of a board of directors that meets quarterly to discuss marketing strategies and creative thinking for the company. The firm is one of the leading media firms in Zimbabwe, and Mandiwanzira gets to work remotely while she is studying here in the United States.

“You don’t come across her and forget about her. It’s just not possible,” said Mandiwanzira’s friend Maddy Aikins (she/her).

It is that quality of Mandiwanzira’s that led the people at AB Communications back to her, and it helped her land a position at The Rounds, a zero-waste refill and delivery company for household essentials. Mandiwanzira went from talking to a representative that was sitting at a table set up in her building to becoming an ambassador for the company where she gets to use her creativity to come up with marketing tactics.

In addition to communication and fashion, Mandiwanzira also pursues more traditional creative outlets. She is a member of D2D: Dare to Dance at Temple University and loves the choreography opportunities it has given her.

Mandiwanzira also recently reconnected with her passion for music. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, she was not able to go home for Christmas in December 2021. However, she was mailed an early Christmas gift of music recording equipment. She didn’t open it right away, though.

“I noticed that fear disguises itself as procrastination in my life,” Mandiwanzira said. The day she finally overcame that fear, however, something changed in her. When listening to what she had just recorded, Mandiwanzira felt a sense of victory, like she could achieve whatever she wanted.

That moment started Mandiwanzira on a path toward creative introspection. While she was alone on campus over winter break, she began to consider her “Africanness,” as she put it. She started to wonder why she felt African in the United States, but not at home. Mandiwanzira realized that in order to be the best she could be in other aspects of her life, she needed to explore her roots more.

“The roots in my world hold together the things that I build,” Mandiwanzira said.

Because of this conflict within her, Mandiwanzira has decided to take a leave of absence for the fall 2022 semester. After the spring 2022 semester, she will return home to explore her Africanness in the place it originated in hopes of learning more about who she is. 

Aikins noted that Mandiwanzira is very in tune with herself, which in turn helps her be in tune with other people. “She makes it look easy,” Aikins said. 

Mandiwanzira is incredibly grateful to Gratson for always offering her opportunities. She is currently involved in recruitment efforts for the CMST Program, and Gratson noted that everyone – parents and prospective students – loves talking to Mandiwanzira at information sessions. He also loves that he has seen her come out of her shell during her three semesters being on Temple’s campus.

For now, Mandiwanzira will continue pursuing her passions no matter where she is, be it the United States or Zimbabwe, and hopes to inspire others to do the same.

“Not only has she changed my world, but she will most definitely change the world,” Aikins said.