Shadé and Sy'nai Ajayi in the Learning Commons with Office Specialist and author Steven Dunham.
By Steven Dunham, Office Specialist, Learning Commons
Sisters Shadé and Sy'nai Ajayi are only eleven months apart, so like twins, they spend lots of time together. "Growing up, you'd find us wearing the same clothes and smiling in the same photos, like we were connected at the hip," Shadé explained. "We have six siblings, with all these built-in friendships, but we were the older ones, so we had to take care of the younger ones." They introduce each other to TV shows and video games, and as a family, they play board games, soccer, and tennis. Recently, the whole family rented a boat. "We butt heads sometimes, like any close sisters," said Sy'nai, "but we do so much together. We go to the same school and even work the same job." Shadé and Sy'nai work the check-in desk at the Phoenix College Learning Commons, where students obtain tutoring, work on assignments at study tables, and meet with study consultants.
What They Wanted Out of College
Perhaps because they have so much in common, they sought a college experience that offered more diversity in the types of people, cultures, and ideas they'd be exposed to. Indeed, their parents offered some inspiration for merging differences while maintaining a loving relationship. Their mother is from New York City, and their father is from Nigeria. "They cook differently, teach differently, and hold beliefs differently, so that's what we want everywhere," Sy'nai admits. "As we've gotten older, we've become more of our own selves, with separate interests and our own friends."
Their mom attended PC and suggested it might provide the variety of experiences the sisters were looking for to support their diverging interests. Shadé and Sy'nai toured Phoenix College, enrolled, and quickly found their desired mixture of people in classrooms, on-campus jobs, and the track team.
Medical Assisting (Shadé)
"I took online classes at the end of the pandemic, but when I could, I started taking in-person classes, and I loved it," Shadé said. "Instead of being the only African American student in my classes, I found myself in the middle of people from all sorts of cultures, and I felt really comfortable."
Shadé is a medical assisting student, but she was pleasantly surprised by the psychology prerequisite course she took in 2025, which included simulations and reflection. "We wore glasses that made us feel like we were drunk and had to write about our experience instead of just reading about it from a textbook." As Shadé moved into her medical assisting classes, she continued to feel most satisfied in the hands-on projects. "I understand the importance of medical assistants learning insurance codes and billing, but right now, we're in the middle of blood draws, and I love it. Last week, we practiced on fake kits with pretend blood, but tomorrow we start real blood draws with real people!" Over and over again, Shadé is impressed by the program's physicality, taking blood pressure, measuring baby weights and heights, and even sticking EKG pads on a patient. She highly recommends PC's Medical Assisting Program. "After my internship, I think I'll be ready to help children in a pediatric clinic," she said.
Elementary Education (Sy'nai)
As a transfer-bound student, Sy'nai is enrolled in the Elementary Education Associate of Arts Program and plans to teach elementary math. She found Professor Jennifer Starchman's college mathematics course especially engaging. "I really liked my class with her last semester, so I'm taking her Math for Elementary Teachers next semester, and I'm pretty excited."
Sy'nai also found her biology course with Robin Cotter highly engaging. "Ms. Cotter showed us videos and got us into group projects. We conducted experiments, but then we'd have to present our results to other students. I hadn't done that before. In high school, we mainly just completed science packets, but Ms. Cotter brought things to life." Sy'nai hopes to take these PC learning activities to the university, eventually serving students in her own classroom.
Sy’nai is also a member of Phoenix College Women’s Track & Field, running the 60, 100, and 200 meter dash.
Service and Outward Focus
Shadé and Sy'nai are also committed to living a life of service, with a focus on children. In addition to their younger siblings, their mom is from a family of 11 siblings. "We have all these cousins, so lots of babysitting!" Sy'nai said. Serving children outside the home in their respective careers is a natural extension of their experiences. They also volunteer with Jobs for Arizona Graduates (JAG) and at their church. "When we were younger, my mom worked in healthcare, and my dad transported beds and oxygen to patients. Shadé and I are drawn to working with children, but the outward focus has always been there, watching our parents live a life of service," Sy'nai explained. "Even now, my mom is pursuing her own nursing degree to become a registered nurse."
Shadé and Sy'nai exemplify the type of students any institution is looking for – academically strong, with a diverse mix of interests: Shadé enjoys helping cats, and Sy'nai runs track. They also bring a mindset of wanting to change the world by serving elementary students and pediatric patients. Yet they also note the significance of their bond. "The most important thing about our connection is how we share our hopes, fears, successes, and struggles with each other. When I need to talk to someone, Sy'nai is there for me," Shadé said.
If a service-oriented degree program resonates with you, and you are an incoming student, chat with an advisor through PC Bear Tracks Embark to learn more.
If you are a current student and would like to investigate a service-oriented degree, connect with the PC Counseling Department and meet with a counselor for academic and career path exploration.