Bassalla Mutua

Student

“Being the AS President put me in contact with people like Dorothy Erherdt Morrison. She showed me what being a successful black woman is all about.”

“Being the AS President has been a challenge—repeatedly!,” says Bassalla Mutua with a musical laugh that’s nearly her trademark. “It’s hard to balance being a good student and president, and also being a student worker, and, oh yes, somehow having a life in the middle of it all. But so many great things have happened to me here at SMC,” she continues. “I’ve loved representing all these different nationalities and cultures, and my leadership qualities have been greatly enhanced. I just hope that some of my experiences have helped to make SMC a better place in some small way. And I’m honored.”

Bassalla’s “experiences” have indeed been broad and adventurous. She could have delivered her frequent speeches at SMC—with equal fluency—in English, French, and German. “And I could throw some Swahili in there as well, if I had to,” she says. Her inventory of languages points up a unique history—thus far. “I was born in Kenya, but I really grew up in Austria when my family moved there and—yes —I learned all the ballroom dances. It’s a totally different culture and I always enjoy going back.” But these days the only dancecard that Bassalla has filled up is her academic schedule at SMC and “hopefully,” she says, “Stanford.”

“I’ve been so lucky to study with Professor Karen Gunn, the head of Social Sciences, because she’s been a huge influence. She confirmed that the study of psychology is actually my destiny. And that destiny is something I’ll fulfill some day when I begin working with troubled inner-city kids.” And when asked what changes in herself she’s noticed since coming to SMC, Bassalla mused, “Where do I begin? Even though I’m a starving, struggling student like everyone else here, SMC has always given me the help to go where I need to go. And I’m grateful for every moment I spent there.”

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