HCC gives her anew outlook
STUDENT, From page 1 ents, attended committee hearings and receptions, and organized information for the scholarship committee.
“I was able to go down to the State House every Friday and see how the legislative process worked,” she said. “I was networking with other senators and getting a hands-on feel for that field. I was quite shy coming out of high school and I knew I wanted to do something where I was advocating for people and helping those who didn’t have a voice.”
In high school, she also served as a page in Annapolis during the 2014 legislative session.
Last June, Ahmed narrowed her career aspirations following a three-week study abroad at the Athlone Institute of Technology in Ireland. As she immersed herself in Irish culture and history, Ahmed said, she developed a passion for foreign diplomacy.
The best part: HCC scholarships fully paid for the trip, an “incredible opportunity,”
Ahmed said.
HCC president Kathleen Hetherington described Ahmed’s successful efforts as “impressive,” noting that the first-generation Pakistani-American woman was able to defy the community college stigma seen by many up-and-coming high school graduates.
“Like a lot of things in life, you often judge without knowing all the facts,”
Hetherington said. “I think when students come to HCC, they realize that this is a place where they can get top-notch, quality education, small class sizes, and a wide variety of programs that will prepare them for transfer or work. They adjust their thinking.” Ahmed served as an excellent commencement speaker at her graduation, the HCC president added, addressing the college’s diverse and inclusive nature on and off campus.
Ahmed said HCC taught her confidence in her own abilities — intellectually, personally and socially —to help her become a leader in making social change and justice in her community.
“It was more than just going to school and coming home,” Ahmed said. “In my high school senior class, the majority of students were either headed to UMBC or College Park.
“I told myself that I wanted to do something different and grow those next two years and get to know myself and the community,” she said. “It has been quite a ride.” anmichaels@baltsun.com
“I was able to go down to the State House every Friday and see how the legislative process worked,” she said. “I was networking with other senators and getting a hands-on feel for that field. I was quite shy coming out of high school and I knew I wanted to do something where I was advocating for people and helping those who didn’t have a voice.”
In high school, she also served as a page in Annapolis during the 2014 legislative session.
Last June, Ahmed narrowed her career aspirations following a three-week study abroad at the Athlone Institute of Technology in Ireland. As she immersed herself in Irish culture and history, Ahmed said, she developed a passion for foreign diplomacy.
The best part: HCC scholarships fully paid for the trip, an “incredible opportunity,”
Ahmed said.
HCC president Kathleen Hetherington described Ahmed’s successful efforts as “impressive,” noting that the first-generation Pakistani-American woman was able to defy the community college stigma seen by many up-and-coming high school graduates.
“Like a lot of things in life, you often judge without knowing all the facts,”
Hetherington said. “I think when students come to HCC, they realize that this is a place where they can get top-notch, quality education, small class sizes, and a wide variety of programs that will prepare them for transfer or work. They adjust their thinking.” Ahmed served as an excellent commencement speaker at her graduation, the HCC president added, addressing the college’s diverse and inclusive nature on and off campus.
Ahmed said HCC taught her confidence in her own abilities — intellectually, personally and socially —to help her become a leader in making social change and justice in her community.
“It was more than just going to school and coming home,” Ahmed said. “In my high school senior class, the majority of students were either headed to UMBC or College Park.
“I told myself that I wanted to do something different and grow those next two years and get to know myself and the community,” she said. “It has been quite a ride.” anmichaels@baltsun.com
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