Adeyinka Adesioye, a 2003 graduate from the School of Public Affairs and an SPA master's candidate, died Monday.
Adesioye, 27, expected to graduate from SPA this semester.
Patrick Ukata, director of the ABTI-American University of Nigeria's (AAUN) D.C. office on AU's campus, said he had no specific details on the cause of Adesioye's death. Adesioye was employed at the AAUN office.
Vice President of Campus Life Gail Hanson said she did not have many confirmed details on Adesioye's death.
"What I know about her passing is third-hand, so I'm not comfortable [providing] details because I don't know it first-hand," Hanson said. "I do know that she was injured in an accident, was recuperating from that and then became ill. When she was being transported to the hospital, she passed away. I don't know the details of that, but it was very unexpected."
Adesioye was well known around campus, Hanson said. Adesioye belonged to the sorority Delta Sigma Theta and was an adviser to Alpha Nu Omega Sorority, Inc., as an alumna. Adesioye founded the African Student Organization as an undergraduate student, Hanson said.
After her graduation, Adesioye worked for the Washington Semester Program and the Office of Financial Aid before Ukata hired her in 2004.
"She was very, very dedicated to public service," he said. "She helped found so many organizations and gave a lot of her time to ensure that those organizations survived. Her life epitomized a selfless service to humanity."
Adesioye was originally from Nigeria but lived in the United States for almost all of her life. Her father passed away, but her mother currently lives in Nigeria, Ukata said.
Arrangements for a memorial service were still being worked out as of press time Wednesday.
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