Zammy Okoli is a first-year transfer student in the School of Cinematic Arts’ Interactive Media and Game Development program at the University of Southern California. Raised in Ellenwood, Georgia, as the eldest of three in a Nigerian immigrant family, Zammy learned responsibility at an early age, stepping into a second-parent role during their childhood. This responsibility deepened when their younger brother Emory was diagnosed with autism and a speech delay; Zammy became a steady source of support, helping him academically and socially while reinforcing the belief that autism is not a limitation but a strength. These formative experiences shaped Zammy’s empathy, resilience, and commitment to uplifting others.

As a first-generation college student and role model within their family, Zammy has consistently pushed themselves to excel, even in unfamiliar spaces. This mindset led them to wrestling, a sport they began in their sophomore year of high school with no prior experience. By 2024, Zammy earned two state runner-up medals and an All-American recognition from the National High School Association, placing in the top eight nationally at the High School Nationals in Virginia Beach. That same discipline carries into their academic life at USC, where Zammy actively connects coursework in Fundamentals of Procedural Media, Game Design Workshop, Business and Management of Games, Introduction to Interactive Entertainment, and Introduction to Psychology to better understand audiences and design meaningful interactive experiences.

Zammy’s passion for games began in middle school and deepened during the pandemic, when interactive media became a space for self-discovery, creativity, and community. Games, anime, and storytelling helped Zammy build confidence and imagine narratives where marginalized voices take center stage. After spending a year at Los Angeles City College studying game design and fine arts, Zammy transferred to USC and has completed two collaborative game projects, often taking on producer and design roles while adapting to contribute artistically when needed. For the future, Zammy aims to work in indie game development, continue building a strong portfolio, and ultimately create story-driven games that amplify voices that are too often unseen or unheard.