“Ball of energy” doesn’t even begin to describe Sarah Oburu (C ’25). From the second you meet her, it is clear that she lights up every environment she enters. No matter what she’s doing or where she is, she spreads empathy. Through her passion for public service, and her many different club involvements and extracurricular activities, she aims to make Penn a better place one step at a time, serving not just those at Penn, but those all over Philadelphia as well.
Name: Sarah Oburu
Hometown: Acworth, Ga.
Major: Philosophy, politics, and economics with a concentration in public policy and governance, a minor in legal studies and history, and submatriculating to a master's in public administration
Activities: director of Penn Band, engagement ambassador for Penn Traditions, residential advisor in Du Bois College House, and the Spring Fling director of the Social Planning and Events Committee
Can you tell me a little bit more about where you’re from?
I am the daughter of two Kenyan immigrants who immigrated to the United States to pursue higher education a few years before I was born. Almost all of my extended family still lives in Kenya, so we try to visit as much as we can. I have one younger brother. I am from the suburbs, but absolutely love the city of Atlanta. I come from a really small suburb where everyone knows each other, and my best friends are the people I met in kindergarten. I also love college football and am a huge Dogs fan!
What would you first think to share about yourself when asked—tell me about yourself?
I am probably the loudest, most boisterous ball of energy that you will ever meet. My motto in life is “kindness is free,” and I carry that with me everywhere. It takes just as much effort to be mean as it does to be kind, so we should all choose kindness, and I try to spread warmth and light. I also am Christian, and I always try to spread my own beliefs and remember the Lord through my actions. Kindness has such a big impact, and it is so easy to practice. I am also a proud southern belle and Georgia fan. Oh, also, I absolutely love Beyoncé and am maybe her biggest fan.
On a more professional level, my aspiration is to serve as the United States attorney general. I love public service and always aim to lift others up. People can only be as strong as their foundation, so I always try to see how I help others pursue their goals and missions. I want to provide a voice for all people and be a leader. I attempt to do this in all areas of my life; for example, in band, I love to help people have their own goals, and I always try to help them get there. Through leadership, I am able to provide a gap between those who may not have a voice and those who do.
What is your favorite extracurricular activity that you are a part of?
I don’t think I can choose one! They are all so special to me and I love them all, but if I had to choose, it would probably be band. I have been in a band since sixth grade, and I played the trumpet. I am now a drum major in the band, which has been an amazing experience. During my first year, my pre–major advisor happened to be the director of Penn Band and recruited me. I immediately fell in love with this club. We are, what I like to say, “the faces of the University.” We are at every single athletic event, and the athletic community relies on us to show up to games. We are a part of the community not just at Penn, but also in the larger Philly area. The Philly community really relies on us, which is really special. We perform at Phillies games, Eagles games, and much more. We also partner with local high schools and organizations. I am the vice president of the Fanfare Honor Society, the service organization of the band. We donate drum sets to schools and try to increase the number of students who can access the ability to play music. Band is a very holistic opportunity for people to get involved, and it has really become my whole community at this school. I love that we can give back.
Why did you choose to be an RA?
My reason for being an RA stems from my passion for service and leadership. I have lived in Du Bois for the last four years, and it is a place that is really about a four–year community. Some of my best friends are ones that I met my first year year on the fourth floor where I lived. My RAs freshman year were my inspirations for wanting to be an RA as well. They cultivated an amazing community and emphasized that as a minority member on campus, you may go through a lot, but this place will always be a safe haven and inclusive space for all. I wanted to be the next person to provide a safe place for new students and foster that sense of community.
At the end of the day, the place you live should be your home. We all have our own lives and responsibilities, but we all come together at the end of the day to that community. In addition, being an RA and living in Du Bois has been an amazing resource and networking opportunity for me. I have met really great people through this experience.
I know you went abroad twice last year. Can you tell me a little bit about that experience?
Yes! In fact, one year ago today I moved into my flat in London! In the fall, I went to London and absolutely fell in love. The London lore is so real; the culture is amazing, there are so many different communities, and it has the best vibe around the holiday season. The food scene in London is so good because the United Kingdom has colonized so many places, which in turn has created a wide variety of cuisines there. It was a fever dream. I also grew so much and learned how to be truly independent. I went on different day trips and got to meet so many different students from Penn and other schools as well! Of course, I had FOMO from the Penn community, but it was such a joyous time.
Second semester, I did Penn in Washington. Through this program, you intern during the day and take Penn classes at night at our satellite campus, the Penn Biden Center. I interned for Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), the senator for my home state. I was a legislative intern and served on three different portfolios: the judiciary portfolio, foreign policy portfolio, and transportation and infrastructure portfolio. I absolutely loved working on the Hill and even decided to stay there over the summer and continue interning for two more offices. It is exciting and fast–paced. I also had amazing mentors and loved the Black community there. There were so many different identity groups that I could be a part of, and I got to meet so many different types of people. I felt a part of different communities and groups, which helped break barriers for me. Anyone who is interested in governmental work should definitely do this program. The whole experience solidified my lifelong dream of wanting to live in D.C. and my drive for public service. There are amazing Penn professors, networking opportunities, connections, and resources. It is a really unique experience.
What do you feel you have learned from being involved with many different clubs and communities at Penn?
I am still learning to this day, but I would say I learned how to be my authentic self. Who are you when you walk into a room and how can you honor that? When I walk into my SPEC meetings, everyone knows I am the one who brings the energy, spunk, and attitude. I have also learned how to be driven and assertive. I have learned how to be my authentic self. As a leader, I always think about how I should operate something; how do I operate in a group setting and in a one–on–one setting? In addition, I have learned a lot about balance. Sometimes people are having a hard day, and we do not need to put on Penn face and pretend everything is okay when it isn’t. We need to destigmatize the feeling that you need to have everything in control. We must promote emotional transparency. It’s okay if you have a bad day! I try to make the spaces I am in more authentic and open so that people can rely on each other.
Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
Ten years from now, I hope to be done with law school and working as either an attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice or pursuing my dream job, which is working as an in–house counsel for a congressional member. I hope to be working towards being U.S. attorney general.
Lightning round:
Favorite song currently: "Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself" by Jess Glynne
Favorite thing to do in Philly: Grab coffee at new coffee shops
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Italy
Favorite food: Lasagna
Favorite class at Penn: "History of American Law" with professor Sarah Gronningsater
There are two types of people at Penn…
Those who do investment banking and consulting, and those who do not.
And you are?
Someone who definitely does not.
