Harriet Tubman. Rosa Parks. Sojourner Truth. Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, and Sojourner Truth have always inspired me through their courage, service, and advocacy. Their heroic examples shaped my belief that each of us has a responsibility to use what we have—our experiences, abilities, and opportunities—to serve others. Public service and sacrifice for the greater good resonate strongly with me. My parents and I emigrated to the USA empty-handed as political refugees. Jewish Family Services helped us get settled in a new country. I always asked my father, “but we’re not Jewish, why are they helping us?” My father’s reply has stayed with me all these years: “They help everyone.” At that moment, my heart was filled with gratitude. At five-years-old, I knew that when I grew up, I wanted to help people too. My journey through college has been fraught with challenges, including imposter syndrome. I didn't know what I didn't know. Finding information and resources was a trial-and-error process. Above all, mentorship was a game changer. My nonlinear path has given me the empathy to advocate for others. As a First-Gen, nontraditional, returning, transfer student, I understand the uncertainty and overwhelm that can accompany navigating college without a roadmap. My vision is to serve underrepresented students in higher education. For example, the First-Gen student facing imposter syndrome. The transfer student unsure how to get from Point A to Point B. The adult learner returning to school after a long hiatus. I want to pursue graduate school by earning my master's degree in Higher Education Leadership with the aspiration of becoming an Academic Advisor who champions First-Gen, nontraditional, returning adult learners, and transfer students. I am currently a senior Communication Studies major at California State University, Northridge, on track to become the first person in my family to earn a bachelor’s degree in May 2027. My commitment to service extends beyond the classroom. Through volunteering with the Khalsa Care Foundation food pantry and assisting with fundraising events at the Topanga Community Center, I have witnessed firsthand how community organizations create meaningful support systems for people facing adversity. These experiences have strengthened my belief that impact is not only about providing assistance in the moment, but also about creating opportunities for people to thrive. My long-term mission is to empower future generations of students to succeed through mentorship and advocacy. I know what it feels like to need guidance, and I want to become the advocate who helps students navigate those barriers. As an Academic Advisor, the change that I'm determined to create is to expand access to resources, provide guidance, support student persistence, and help students achieve their full potential. In other words, I want students to feel the sense of belonging and possibility that my family experienced when others extended support to us upon arriving in America. The lesson my father shared with me as a child continues to guide my purpose: “They help everyone.” Those words shaped my lifelong commitment to altruism, compassion, service, and paying it forward. By pursuing a career in higher education, I plan to honor the support my family received by creating pathways for underrepresented students. My commitment is to become the advocate I once needed and help pave the way for future generations of students to achieve their fullest potential, just as my family was given the opportunity to pursue our dreams of a brighter future.

“Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” – John F. Kennedy January 20, 1961 Inaugural address That call to action has inspired me since I was a young tween reading about our thirty-fifth President of the United States in history books. Public service and sacrifice for the greater good resonate strongly with me. My parents and I emigrated to the USA empty-handed as political refugees. Jewish Family Services helped us get settled in a new country. I always asked my father, “but we’re not Jewish, why are they helping us?” My father’s reply has always stayed with me all these years, he said, “They help everyone.” My heart was filled with gratitude. At five-years-old, I knew in that moment that when I grew up, I wanted to help everyone too, as a way of giving back and paying it forward. My journey through college has been fraught with challenges. My nonlinear path has given me insight and empathy to advocate for others on a similar trajectory. As a First-Gen, non-traditional, returning, transfer student, I understand the uncertainty and overwhelm that can accompany navigating college without a roadmap. My dream career is to serve students in higher education. I want to pursue graduate school in Higher Education Leadership with the aspiration of becoming an Academic Advisor championing First-Gen, non-traditional, returning, and transfer students. Today, I am a senior-standing Communication Studies major in the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication at California State University, Northridge. I am on track to become the first person in my family to graduate college with my Bachelor of Arts degree in May 2027. My academic journey is reflected in a 4.0 GPA in my major, a 3.9 GPA at CSUN, and a 3.47 cumulative GPA, including community college. I am grateful to have been recognized with merit-based awards at California State University, Northridge, including the Richard B. Aronstam Outstanding Senior Award; Robert J. Barbera Argumentation Award — First Prize Winner; Art Council Award; and Richard B. Aronstam Performance Ensemble Award. My commitment to service extends beyond the classroom. As a volunteer with the Khalsa Care Foundation food pantry, I have served the needs of low-income communities. Through the Topanga Community Center, I have assisted with local fundraising events that support community initiatives. These experiences have reinforced my belief that nonprofit organizations create meaningful change by serving individuals, strengthening communities, and expanding opportunities. My long-term mission is to empower future generations of students to succeed through mentorship, advocacy, and support. I am passionate about helping fellow First-Gen college students navigate college based on my lived experience. As an Academic Advisor and student advocate, I hope to expand access to resources, provide guidance, and help students achieve their full potential. The lesson my father shared with me as a child continues to guide my purpose: “They help everyone.” Those words shaped my lifelong commitment to compassion, service, and paying it forward. By pursuing a career in the nonprofit sector, I hope to honor the support my family received by creating opportunities for all. My commitment is to become the advocate I once needed and help pave the way for future generations of students to achieve their dreams, just as my family was given the opportunity to pursue the American Dream.