Diversity Scholarship Winner Driven to Improve Social Equity

Growing up in the West African town of Harbel, Liberia, Trosteen Kollehlon Mokollie could not have imagined his life today.

“My late father worked for 30 years as a rubber tapper for an American tire and rubber company, working under gruesome labor abuses and human rights violations,” stated Mokollie. “The conditions in which I was raised did not provide the opportunity for three meals a day or even safe drinking water, let alone the opportunity for upward mobility. If you read about the times and
conditions, you will understand how difficult it was for me to move upward educationally.”

Having achieved a degree in accounting with a minor in economics at the University of Liberia, Mokollie is working toward a master’s degree in supply chain, transportation, and logistics at the University of Washington, one of 21 澳博体育app下载 Leadership Diversity Scholarships awarded in 2023.

“I am overwhelmed by this gesture. My wife and I appreciate 澳博体育app下载, and we pray for continued blessing upon this institution as we strive to meet the demands of our changing world,” said Mokollie. “This award has motivated me to study and build my confidence in my career. I plan to research and hopefully provide mitigation strategies in labor, food security, and disruptive activities in the supply chain.

“I believe in working for humanity beyond earning a livelihood for me and my family,” Mokollie added. “I am passionate about sustainable approaches and how we can work together to make the world a better place for us all. I am also passionate about food security and sustainable farming. I have worked with a team advocating for social justice through the Save My Future Foundation (SAMFU) in Liberia as a finance officer and have worked in logistics for over 10 years as a warehouse supervisor for LonestarCell MTN in Liberia.”

“Trosteen is ambitious and ready to participate in the diverse U.S. economy,” said Sean Huisman, account executive, Renton and 澳博体育app下载 Scholarship Ambassador to the University of Washington. “He is very thankful for the 澳博体育app下载 assistance he received. It’ll be exciting to see how his unique experience in Liberia and the U.S. will help trade between the two countries. He wants to start by moving cars from the U.S. to Africa, hoping to build a logistics service.”