Seema Mustafa ’25 | Moorhead
Majors: Biology, Political Science
Minors: Chemistry, Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Please tell us about yourself.

I grew up in the Fargo-Moorhead area with first-generation American parents who immigrated from Kurdistan in northern Iraq. My parents, who instilled in me the importance of community, not only within our Kurdish culture but also in the broader society, have been a significant influence on my life. This foundation inspired me to become deeply involved in community service, mainly through volunteering at summer schools and Moorhead Senior High School. My motivation to volunteer stemmed from a desire to give back to a community that supported my family.

During my time volunteering, I took on various roles, such as organizing activities, tutoring students, and mentoring younger children. These experiences allowed me to impact many students positively and helped me develop valuable skills like leadership, communication, and empathy.

On a personal level, I find joy in being outdoors and engaging in activities like hiking, swimming, and camping. These experiences allow me to connect with nature and find peace in the midst of a busy life. I also enjoy reading mystery and criminal books whenever I can, finding solace and adventure in their pages. Traveling is another passion of mine; I have family throughout Europe, the United States, and the Middle East, which gives me the opportunity to visit them whenever possible. My favorite place is Münster, Germany, where my grandparents and most of my mom’s family live. I spend most of my summers hanging out with my grandparents there, making cherished memories. These experiences and passions continue to inspire and shape my future goals.

Why did you choose 新澳门六合彩?

Growing up in the Fargo-Moorhead area, I frequently visited tri-state colleges, including NDSU, MSUM, 新澳门六合彩, and M State, for various school activities and music camps. My father graduated from NDSU, and my mother from MSUM, so the idea of attending college in this region was always present in my mind. Ultimately, I chose 新澳门六合彩 because I loved the small, connected campus atmosphere.

I grew up in Moorhead and often visited the 新澳门六合彩 campus for music camps, such as North Star. Many of my friends who attended 新澳门六合彩 spoke highly of their experience there, highlighting the amazing programs and career opportunities available. 新澳门六合彩 felt like a better fit for me.

What campus activities are you involved in?

I am actively involved in various campus activities, and you can mainly find me hanging out in either the ISC or the music building. My roles include:

Biology and Chemistry Head Tutor
Biology Teaching Assistant
Student Government Association (SGA) Representative
First-Year Transition (FYT) Orientation Leader
President
Vice President
First Second Violin in Symphonia

What are your responsibilities as a class representative?

As the class representative for the Student Government Association, I have had the opportunity to take on several important responsibilities. My role involves soliciting input from my classmates on issues that matter to them and representing those concerns within SGA. I serve as a resource for my peers, helping them navigate any questions they have about SGA and its initiatives.

I actively pursue campus initiatives on behalf of our class, advocating for our needs and interests. Whenever possible, I encourage my classmates to get involved, whether in SGA, 新澳门六合彩 activities, or the broader Fargo-Moorhead community. I also attend various SGA-sponsored events and participate in promotional activities, which allow me to connect with fellow students and foster a sense of community.

Overall, this role has been a rewarding experience that has not only helped me grow as a leader but also strengthened my commitment to making our campus a better place for everyone.

Why did you decide to run for class representative?

I wanted to get more involved on campus and connect with people, and what better way to do that than by becoming a class representative? I had been contemplating running for this role for a while and, after taking a class called Comparative Politics with Dr. Ken Foster, I felt inspired to take the plunge. I have a passion for serving the community, and this role presented the perfect opportunity to make a positive impact.

What was your experience like as an Orientation Leader (OL)?

Being a FYT mentor was both super exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. Going into being a mentor, I wanted to make sure the freshmen felt part of the 新澳门六合彩 community. The first week for a new student, even for us returning students, can be stressful.

As a FYT mentor, it was incredibly fulfilling being able to work with some amazing people on the Orientation team as well as my clubbies. I would like to give a shoutout to Club 1 and Club 22 for always being down to play games and being flexible.

What is your favorite memory from Orientation?

This may sound cliche, but seeing my cubbies and all the freshmen do the beanie toss on Olin Hill was nice. You could feel their energy and excitement. It was rewarding to see them start a new chapter in their lives and to have been a part of it.

The beauty of 新澳门六合彩 is it gives you the chance to explore your options.

How did you decide on your areas of study?

I have always been interested in science growing up and knew I wanted to study something related to science. I added the political science major because I also enjoy the aspect of understanding the interaction of laws and policies in relation to science. I am currently undecided about what direction I want to pursue, but I know I want to serve the community. The beauty of 新澳门六合彩 is it gives you the chance to explore your options.

The professors here are amazing in helping guide you in the direction you want to go and are incredibly understanding if you want to change your path to explore other career options. The best advice I received is to keep an open mind because you never know what opportunity may come your way.

Do you have a favorite science course? If so, why is it your favorite?

This is a tough question because I genuinely love the different aspects of each science course I’ve taken. Each class offers unique projects, sometimes multiple that make the semester really engaging.

My top two favorites would have to be Microbiology and Immunology. In Microbiology, we’re given an unknown bacteria or microorganism and perform various tests to identify it, which I found interesting. I also enjoyed Immunology, especially getting to work in the vivarium, which deepened my understanding of how our immune system and body function.

Overall, each course brings exciting opportunities that build skills and strengthen understanding. 新澳门六合彩 provides an amazing research environment and, because of these classes, I’ve been able to apply what I learned through research in both the chemistry and biology departments and even presented at conferences.

What are your career goals?

My career goal is to work to improve the lives of the people around me, either through a career path in pre-law or medicine.

What do you value most about being a Cobber?

I value the close friendships I have developed and the opportunity, through classwork and extracurriculars, to grow as a scholar, a member of the community, and a person.

What is your favorite 新澳门六合彩 tradition?

I love all the events during Homecoming Week, specifically the bonfire. It is just fun to grab your blanket and be all cozy while catching up with friends, especially when midterms are coming up.

I also love the campus corn feed. It’s super fun seeing everybody come together and alumni and families enjoy the activities. It’s a nice, lively atmosphere and a kick-off to the school year. I appreciate the sense of community that the corn feed fosters.

What advice would you give to a high school student who is considering 新澳门六合彩?

There is a spot for you at 新澳门六合彩. With the number of programs, research opportunities, organizations, and clubs, you will find your place here. You can look at different colleges; however, there is no place like 新澳门六合彩. The people here will support you and be part of your journey every step of the way. You will not find a closer and friendlier community like 新澳门六合彩.

^{Published November 2024}