Introducing our final, but definitely not least, #APAHMLeaders highlighted Scholar, Taha Akhtar! Taha understands the struggles that low-income, first generation students may face when they are on campus. Learn how he took the initiative to support these students, and what he was able to take away from the experience: "Serving as president of a branch of a national organization meant so much to me. I am a QuestBridge scholar and this is one of my most important identities in college. This past academic year, I had the privilege of serving as president of Colby College's QuestBridge Chapter. Coming from a low-income background, this position specifically helped me benefit students similar to me. Planning and executive events to help the transition of FLI (first generation/low-income) students to college is really meaningful because I want to do my best in giving people what they deserve. This is their entitlement to a quality education without having the need to feel separated due to culture shock or feeling out of place. I have been in some of the same positions of starting school in a new environment and being low-income. I have developed trust and experience with many students who share the same background. In my future years at Colby, I hope to continue developing trust with whoever needs help and being a leader helps gain even more experience to carry out this goal. My activities on campus introduce me to many new faces and bridge the gap of awkwardness, which is an integral part of being a leader. These activities also enable me to lead a diverse group of students and give me the advantage to experience the type of environment a leader might face. In addition, my experience learning from this positions will help me connect with my environment and has made me extremely familiar with all that is has to offer." #leadership #initiative #firstgeneration ...

Today is the last day of our #APAHMLeaders highlights for #APAHM! . Feyone La is a Gates Millennium Scholar who always looked for ways to pay it forward. Starting by supporting low-income, first generation students on her campus, she eventually helped to found the Collective Success Network in Philadelphia to further empower students in need: . "At the end of my freshman year, I became a Campus-Based Leader for the Gates Millennium Scholars at Drexel. I was able to organize events to connect scholars to each other and to ensure that we had a supportive community at Drexel. We helped each other through the many financial, social, and academic challenges that we faced that we felt many of our peers did not understand. Throughout this time, I began to realize how important it was to have this community and how lonely I had felt in the year before I had these scholars to relate to. This gave me the inspiration to start a first-generation, low income student organization at Drexel. I began to realize that some of my peers from a similar background did not have a support network such as a scholarship community to make them feel supported throughout their time at Drexel. They faced similar challenges as Gates scholars, but they did not have access to the resources to support them through their challenges. By my senior year at Drexel, I became the founding president of the student organization, Dragons First. In additional to starting a student organization, I was able to connect to professionals from the Philadelphia area that wanted to support first generation and low-income students. Together, we started a non-profit organization in Philadelphia, the Collective Success Network. Through this non-profit organization, we have been able to provide mentorship for students at universities in the Philadelphia area, as well as organizing workshops that bring the community together for topics ranging from mental health to career and professional development. We have also been able to host specific events to address the unique challenges that first generation, low income students face." #payitforward #firstgeneration #community (Read Feyone's full story on our Facebook page!) ...

Our latest #APAHMLeaders highlighted Scholar, Rawdah Rahim, illustrates why leadership isn't only built on being heard, but also on listening and learning: "I have always been outspoken. Model United Nations has been a great opportunity for me to project just that and contributed immensely to the progression of my leadership skills and active involvement with the international community. In my junior year of high school, when I joined the class, a spark ignited in me. I grew extremely passionate about understanding and trying to find resolutions to the major dilemmas dispersed around the world, including water scarcity, child soldiers, and violation of human rights. During my first few conferences, my dedication was undoubtedly present. But even with all my research and hard work, I never seemed to have made an impact in a room. I was speaking, but no one was hearing what I was saying. In the end, I was never able to lead a bloc or be recognized by the dias members. So instead of trying to speak louder so others can hear me, I started listening. I took down notes and saw the confident posture of those who effortlessly spoke about the tribulations that their country has experienced because of an issue. Taking all that, in my senior year, I applied it. During the Change the World (CWMUN) conference held at the U.N, I was assigned the topic of water scarcity and given the country of Denmark to represent. I stood a little taller (maybe that was because I wore heels) and spoke with ardor. You saw it in my face when it went red from the keenness of my speeches, you heard it in the raspiness of my voice, and you definitely felt the power that the words left in the room after I finished a speech. In a room of over 300 people, I was heard, and other delegates were approaching me to collaborate together. I led my first bloc and wrote a resolution about water scarcity. It was voted, passed and adopted into the committee successfully. Both my peers and the dias recognized my great work, and I was awarded an Honorable Mention and the Delegates Choice award." #leadership #modelun #Learning #Engage Read Rawdah's full story on our Facebook! Link in bio. ...

Meet Dennis Woo, our latest #APAHMLeaders highlight! Read his story below and learn how he joined the student government at the University of Southern California to create spaces to encourage discussion, growth, and empowerment for a diverse student body. . "During my time at USC, I joined student government with the mission to bridge the gaps between cultures in our diverse student population, coordinating various events and chairing initiatives to create spaces for insightful conversations, growth, and empowerment. Collaborating extensively with various organizations and fellow leaders exposed me to a wide spectrum of perspectives on cultural history and current topics. I also learned about relations between various communities and the social stigmas surrounding mental health and disabilities. As a result, I joined and led USC’s Mental Health Awareness Month initiative, seeking to shine light on a topic with significance to college campuses, students, and the youth. We expanded our initiative and engaged with student leaders, academic and industry professionals, and representatives from student health centers. Through panels, open mic nights, photo campaigns, and resource fairs, we received overwhelming feedback of gratitude and appreciation for the attention drawn on this timely topic. I met peers who shared their struggles and found support as a result of our efforts; their hope and optimism emphasized the importance of community coalition. Furthermore, this ongoing project has opened an inclusive space to celebrate differences, share stories and dialogues, learn from one another, and consider what we can do together for social progress. We still have a long road ahead. However, it is important to increase exposure regarding these communities, break down the service and cultural barriers which they face, and create a community bond for empowerment because their stories and voices matter. I hope to do my part and continue my efforts to give a voice to those who lack such opportunities, cultivating a greater sense of belonging in our global society." . #empowerment #community #celebrateculture Read Dennis' full story on our Facebook page! Link in bio. ...

We’re excited to celebrate Pasifika Commencement this weekend in support of these amazing organizations! And we are so proud of APIA Scholar Alumni Elizabeth Basa and Chauntae Quichocho who are featured student speakers! Congratulations to all of our 2020 graduates! #honorpasifika #classof2020 ...