From Camp to Campus: A Legacy of Inclusion

written 3/24/20

Oftentimes the definer of a truly skilled leader is a past filled with hardship, and Engoma Fataki has seen plenty of it.

Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Dec. 1995, Fataki began his life amid the Congolese Civil War. By the time he reached one-year-old, his family fled the Congo to find refuge. He and his family fled to refugee camps in Tanzania, Zambia and Malawi, respectively, then settled down in Mozambique, where they lived for ten years.

Peering through the murk of struggle, many may become lost or give up on the climb toward greatness, but some individuals, like Fataki, take their past and utilize it to propel themselves, and most importantly those around them, further and further.

Fataki moved to the United States in 2015, settling down in Independence, Mo. He attended and graduated Kansas City East High School soon after.

Fataki chose to pursue higher education at Missouri Western State University and began his freshman year serving the student body as senator in the Student Government Association. He progressed quickly, becoming assistant director of external relations in 2018 and then being elected student body president in 2019.

Fataki says his harrowing past fleeing from war has helped him recognize the needs of others and has instilled in him the value of including everyone.

“Having that background, I’ve always been passionate about advocating for people and for those who cannot voice their concerns,” Fataki said. “Being a part of SGA meant a lot because I could voice other students’ concerns and make sure their concerns are heard.”

Fataki said his ethnic and cultural background has also strengthened his relationship with the Global Center, which was previously named the International Center.

“I’ve advocated for them and for all the students on campus,” Fataki said. “My background being a refugee and the countries that I’ve lived have really helped me to connect with everyone.”

As Fataki looks ahead to the end of his administration, he says he will leave behind a legacy of inclusion.

“I think the legacy I’m going to leave as a student body president is inclusion and student involvement,” Fataki said. “No doubt, we have been able to include everybody. We listen to students and students have felt heard by this administration.”

From greeting students to attending student organization meetings and events on campus, Fataki believes involvement has been the strong suit of his administration.

“What motivates me the most is the stories I hear from students and their feedback,” Fataki said. “When I start speaking to students, it’s me trying to hear how their day has been and what is going on. It is amazing what you get to hear from students; you get to know them.”

Fataki also champions his administration’s transparency, citing the presence of all SGA spending on its website, which provides easy access for students.

“While we were running, we promised transparency and accountability,” Fataki said. “Students know exactly what is going on.”

Fataki believes his administration has provided the ability for students and student organizations to further their education via SGA funding of conferences, workshops and hands-on travel experiences.

“The amount of students who have received funding to go to conferences, to represent their organization and to present their projects… those things are what give me hope,” Fataki said. “If the next administration can pick up on the work we have done, student government will be a success.”

Fataki expressed that not everything has gone the way he intended. He cited Third Thursdays, a program to promote student involvement and commerce in downtown St. Joseph, started by Evan Banks, former vice president and director of external relations for SGA, has been less successful during his administration.

“Compared to last year, I can’t say the program has been successful, but we have done our best to advertise to the students,” Fataki said. “If I was to do differently, that is one thing I would do differently.”

To Fataki, this connection with students has driven him to realize how similar people are, and that a simple conversation can spark a more passionate relationship with students.

“Sometimes I think I and that person are very different,” Fataki said. “Then I come to realize maybe we’re not that different after all.”