When Treasure Fadimiroye first arrived at Houston Christian University, she had her father to thank for pointing her in the direction of HCU.

“My dad actually picked this University for me,” she says. “When I got my acceptance letter, my dad was like, ‘You’re going here!'”

While Treasure had been exploring several options, she decided to trust her father’s guidance. And from the moment she arrived on campus, she knew he had steered her right.

I walked in really nervous, but all my nerves left at the door. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly… almost familial.” That initial welcome planted a seed that would eventually blossom into a deep-rooted school pride. Today, Treasure is one of the most recognizable student leaders on campus, from giving tours to prospective students as a Husky Ambassador to serving as a GO leader, Welcome Days Pack leader, Events Tech intern and President of the African Student Association. It’s clear to see that sometimes the paths we resist can become the ones that transform us the most profoundly. Treasure’s journey into student leadership began with a simple realization during one of her first Wednesday convocations. “I wasn’t really involved much on campus, but I realized this is a community that I can really see myself fitting into,” she explains. “I wanted to make sure that people like me, coming in nervous and scared, could have the same experience I had, but even better.” Her first job in HCU Marketing, under the guidance of Clay Porter and Jared Jones, laid the foundation for everything that followed.

“They would speak so much life into me,” Treasure shares. “Having that foundation with Clay and Jared really allowed me to grow into the person I am now in admissions.” The impact of mentorship runs deep for Treasure, who now sees her role as a leader as part of a biblical cycle of service. “Jesus served his disciples to make sure they would be able to go out into the world and serve others in the same way Jesus did for them,” she reflects. “This is how I feel as a leader. “For Treasure, being a student leader isn’t about personal recognition, it’s about watching others flourish. “Being a student leader to me means seeing your impact spread across campus,” she says. “It’s not necessarily doing it to gratify yourself, but to see growth in other people.”

Her involvement completely transformed her college experience. Those first weeks as a freshman were isolating, going to class and heading straight home without any real connection on campus. But stepping into leadership roles changed everything. The friendships she formed through her work have lasted throughout her time at HCU, and the relationships she’s built with both students and staff have become some of the most meaningful parts of her college journey. As a Husky Ambassador, Treasure has become known for her deep knowledge of HCU traditions, from the Beanie Ceremony that welcomes freshmen, to the beloved tradition of rubbing the statue of Dr. W.H. Hinton’s nose for good luck before exams. But more than knowing traditions, she embodies what makes them meaningful: the sense of belonging they create. Her advice for freshmen considering getting involved on campus is simple: “There’s literally nothing you can lose. Put yourself out there even if you feel like you might not be the ‘student leader type’ because you never know what traits that position can bring out of you, that you didn’t know you had. So give it a shot!”

From a nervous freshman to a passionate student leader who guides others through their own journeys, Treasure Fadimiroye has discovered something invaluable: Home isn’t always where you expect to find it, and sometimes the best decisions are the leaps of faith our families encourage us to make.

Thanks, Dad.