Minds Matter reposted this
Proud mission moment! Mariam started her incredible education journey here at Minds Matter NYC. She then graduated from Smith with high honors and is now starting a Fulbright Morocco research grant on public health, seeking to understand the effects of food insecurity on brain health. We are so proud of Mariam and our students. The work they are doing is life-changing and inspiring! You can play a role in stories like Mariam's by becoming a mentor today. Start here: https://lnkd.in/eDVKn4F5 #MissionMoment #MindsMatterNYC #EducationForAll #Donate #Volunteer
I’m proud to share that I graduated from Smith College with High Honors in Neuroscience and a Minor in Arabic. My journey to Smith began with Minds Matter NYC, a nonprofit that helped guide me through the college application process since my sophomore year of high school. Thank you to the unwavering support of my mentors and a generous The Posse Foundation, I was able to pursue my education at a prestigious, historically women’s institution without financial burden. I feel honored to have been believed in, to have people encouraging me to do and be beyond what I thought I could. I hold a deep sense of gratitude and responsibility to give back and uplift others in the same way, ensuring that the opportunities I have received extend far beyond myself. One of the highlights of my college career was serving as Ivy Day Student Speaker, where I stood in front of hundreds, representing not just my personal journey, but a story so much larger than my own– a story of navigating multiple worlds, finding my voice, and envisioning how to make an impact. In my speech, I highlighted three definitions of generosity in Arabic, my native language, that have been shown by fellow Smithies and Smith alumnae. The endless support of Smithies and my community have shaped my path, both personal and academic, and instilled in me the importance of social responsibility and mentorship. I am thrilled to be starting my Fulbright Morocco research grant on public health, continuing the work I began with Dr. Anjail Sharrief seeking to understand the effects of food insecurity on brain health. This opportunity represents the next step in figuring out how I can contribute to the world. Public health, to me, is about recognizing the deep inequalities that exist and seeking ways to bridge the gaps. Growing up in Queens, NY, I’ve seen firsthand how access —or lack thereof— to healthcare, education, food and opportunity can transform lives. I’m passionate about exploring how we can bridge the deep inequalities in public health to make meaningful, lasting change. Morocco is the perfect place to begin this work, and I’m excited to see how the lessons I’ve learned from Queens and from my Smith communities echo in this new chapter. Special thank you to: Emmanuel Duran, Dr Anjail Sharrief- Ibrahim MD MPH, Dr Sharon Owino, Dr Mariela Nunez Santos, PhD, Dr Robert Dorit, Dr Gregory White, Dr Michael Barresi, Elen Mons, Jasmine Stork, Andrew R. Dausch, Dana Olivo, Hannah Durrant, John Weinert, Michael Williams, Morgen Littlejohn, Dr Marnie Anderson, Dr Susanna Ferguson, Dr May George, Matilda Cantwell, Smith College Al Iman, Smith College Residence Life, Jandon Center, and of course my friends and family. Thank you so much for your mentorship, kindness, and your incredible support throughout the years. 🌍 #SmithCollege #PosseScholar #Fulbright #PublicHealth #Neuroscience #CommunityImpact #GlobalHealth