Fulfilling a personal mission: a student’s PhD nursing journey

In her loftiest dreams, Louisette Abikou, Nur ’25, imagined earning a doctorate in nursing. She wanted to conduct research, publish, and broaden the world’s awareness of violence against women. 

Born in the Republic of Benin in West Africa, she had earned an undergraduate nursing degree and later a master’s degree in public health. She had worked as a lecturer at a university nursing school and as a clinical nurse. Her research was centered around women’s health and gender-based violence.

“I have about 10 years’ experience as a clinical nurse and a few years of academia,” she says. “I had the experience and the educational prerequisites, but pursuing a PhD also requires significant resources. Finding a pathway to make it feasible was important to me.”

Though it seemed impossible, Abikou never let go of her dream of advocating for women who experienced trauma and violence. “Coming from Africa, I thought that this is not just an important issue, it’s an urgent one, and I was always very passionate about it.”

In a pivotal moment, a friend told Abikou about the UC College of Nursing programs that enable students to work as graduate assistants and have their tuition covered by grants and stipends. Abikou was stunned. “I jumped at applying,” she says. “I wanted to explore opportunities and see where my experience and research background could take me. I thought that coming all the way from Africa, I’m sure they have better candidates. But I was picked up at the first instance. I got an interview, and the two professors who interviewed me were completely blown away. They were like, ‘We can’t wait to have you.’ That was the first time I just felt like my dream was actually going to come true.”

Abikou arrived at UC, accompanied by her 4-year-old daughter, in August 2022. Thus began “a crazy ride,” as she adapted to a new environment, cared for a preschooler and embarked on a rigorous academic program.  “It was overwhelming. I wasn’t too young coming in, but sometimes you think you’re prepared, but the situation surprises you.”

Support came from professors and a graduate assistant coordinator who even provided babysitting. It also came from a student organization, International Future Nurse Leaders, which helps international students navigate the first few months on campus. Abikou acclimated quickly. Within a year she was serving as president of International Future Nurse Leaders and received the Outstanding PhD Student Award.

Before arriving at UC, Abikou understood little about how scholarships were funded. “I didn’t know how the money got there,” she says. “I just knew that I had this amazing opportunity. And then I found out it was because of people’s generosity. I’m deeply grateful for the generosity that made this possible. It shows how collective support can fuel research that impacts lives worldwide.”

Abikou doesn’t expect to change the world. But she feels that every scholar who is willing to find a way to reduce the impact of gender-based violence plays a critical role in ending it.

Abikou will assume that role following graduation. She has been awarded a two-year post-doc position at UC College of Nursing, along with funding from the National Institutes of Health. Her ultimate goal is to continue building her research portfolio in trauma and gender-based violence and eventually secure a tenure-track position at a research institution. There, she says, she will apply for grants and do the work “that can impact the lives of women, both here and back home in Africa.”

Featured image at top: Louisette Abikou is a student in UC's College of Nursing. Photo/UC Alumni Association