My name is Sara Sultan, and my story as an immigrant from Pakistan to the United States has been a story of resilience and ambition. Growing up in a family that valued Education and service, I was inspired by my father, Nazir Tahir, a retired High Court Judge whose commitment to justice and Education molded my early values. Today, I am a mother of two, Mustafa and Eshaal, pursuing a Master's in Education with a focus on Advanced Teaching and a Bachelor's in Leadership studies while working as a Behavior Support Assistant in California. I aim to shape inclusive learning environments to make the students stand tall through their challenges. Immigrant life has its ups and downs. It has been a balancing act to adjust to a new culture while juggling my mother, student, and professional roles. Simple tasks, like navigating new systems and paperwork, initially felt overwhelming. The high cost of Education and living added additional pressure, but these challenges taught me the value of perseverance. Through the journey, with all the setbacks and troubles, every step has strengthened my resolve to build a better future for myself and my family. The courses I am taking about myself, my family, and my two homes, Pakistan and the U.S., have become a profound journey that explores the experiences of the middle class. It authentically represents their culture and highlights the values instilled in individuals from childhood, shaping their lives and fostering a strong sense of community. I also came to respect the opportunities and diversity that surrounded me within the United States and opened my horizons toward the inclusion of all types. Most importantly, I have learned I can overcome challenges and changes head-on and reach a dream, even against remarkable opposition. Immigration to the United States has affected my life and my career decisions. It ignited my passion for Education and my resolve to help students with diverse needs. Through these years of serving as a Behavioural Support Assistant, I have found how quintessential it is to provide an inclusive environment that caters to the needs of all students. I want to advance into higher spheres of educational leadership and bring changes in the special education policies at every level so that each child has guaranteed quality support and equal opportunity to succeed. This scholarship would significantly support my further educational pursuits and my realization of my goals. Having overcome all these obstacles, I would like to serve as an example for other immigrant women to believe in themselves and to create their path to success.

Looking ahead to my life journey, I am particularly excited to see how my educational goals will pan out amidst the struggle and experience so far, defining my perspective on goals and commitment to community service. I grew up in a family that greatly valued education yet faced various resource challenges, and this made me realize quite early that education was not only a key to personal growth but also a powerful tool for changing lives. That realization birthed my passion to contribute to the upliftment of under-resourced communities by overcoming various barriers to education. From financial struggles to balancing work and family, I have had to overcome some important obstacles during my academic pursuits thus far. Yet, the challenges have only added to my motivation. I was the first generation in my family to become a union member, which allowed me to complete my associate degree online through a college that did not require tuition. Receiving a 3.9 GPA in high school and continuing into an associate's program with a maintained GPA of 3.92 are accomplishments showing my persistence toward meeting the highest standards. It has further motivated me to seek more opportunities to extend the impact of education. Working as a Behavior Support Assistant and as a trained and certified RBT, I have seen firsthand the transformation that can result from support tailored to the person and inclusive practice. These have taught me that education is a bridge between potential and opportunity. In this role, I would like to continue being a vocal advocate for PBIS and other methods that improve learning environments for all students, especially in the particular education context. Observing while working within the school district deepened my understanding of the hardships faced by marginalized populations. Whether teaching children, supporting food banks, or promoting equal education opportunities, each experience taught me invaluable lessons about understanding, teamwork, and initiative. I have seen the scarcity of resources that hindered many kids from getting adequate education. These experiences have kindled in me the desire to bridge the gap between opportunity and access, as my philosophy of education serves as a constructive force for societal change. My journey is one of not just personal progress but also of gaining the understanding and abilities to serve the community. With a Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies, concentrated in Leadership, and a Master's in Education, I pledge to continue using my education to create positive change in the world. I am excited about learning from others through community engagement and empowerment, building a better future for us all.

From the beginning, I knew that, in so many ways, with my decision to take up Leadership Studies and Education as a career, I had defied some expectations laid down through generations of my family and society. Growing up a first-generation immigrant, there was this overwhelming narrative about medicine and engineering as stable and respectable professions; it was almost assumed that these were the only absolute paths to success. This made my decision to major in leadership and education very unorthodox and unsure to others. However, the assured support of my husband gave me the courage to move toward my passion and redefine what success could look like. My husband was the one who encouraged me to get into a field where I could make a difference in other people's lives, particularly immigrant students who often feel not fully included and understood inside the classroom. His belief in my dream empowered me to articulate my vision and have tough conversations with family members worried about my decision. I live in a joint family system with 13 people in one house. I am responsible for caring for my husband's side of the family, his two brothers and their families, and especially his parents. They were worried about me being unable to fulfill my responsibilities if I continued my education. However, we did this together, bridging the gap between tradition and my aspiration to advocate for inclusivity and equity in schooling. His backing enabled me to effectively describe to my family that, by focusing on education, I was not just pursuing passion but working to create change that could impact many others from immigrant backgrounds. This journey was powerful and quite transformative at the same time. My husband was very supportive, and I could walk tall and serve as an example for my community, feeling proud of my choices. I started working in the special ed department as a paraprofessional and currently work as a behavior support assistant, holding a registered behavior technician license as well. I started helping and mentoring younger students about the importance of pursuing their dreams despite societal pressures. My journey inspired others in my community to consider paths outside the conventional and instilled a sense of pride in our unique goals and experiences. This taught me a lot about being resilient and using a solid support system. I learned that most progress is usually made out of a comfort zone, going against the norm, and how important it is to have someone to believe in you, taking those bold steps. It has been a journey that has molded my view of education: I am determined to develop an inclusive and supporting environment for special needs individuals who are empowered to be themselves. To this effect, I am determined to give students, especially immigrants and special needs individuals, confidence in their identity and life path. By pursuing my degrees in Leadership Studies and Advanced Education, I am equipping myself with the tools necessary to realize this vision. Through this scholarship, I want to continue layering my knowledge and understanding of inclusive leadership in educational spaces where every student feels seen and valued. That support has allowed me to be a trailblazer in my own right, and we pledge to make a difference worthy of communicating to the next generations that come after us that they can pursue their passions without apologizing and with confidence.

Coming to the United States as an immigrant, I came hoping for growth and opportunity, showing a keen interest in constructively contributing to society. Amongst the many challenges, finding my way through a new culture and system of education as a first-generation college student in another country was difficult. These challenges gave me an awareness and appreciation of supportive learning environments. I did my bachelor's in child psychology and development from Pakistan. This background has given me a different perspective to look into the imperative for inclusion and equity in special education, binding me to commit my life to the promulgation of those ideals in education. Currently, I am seeking a Bachelor's Degree in Leadership Studies and a Master's in Advanced Education. Each uniquely shapes my skills and future vision. My studies in Leadership Studies equipped me with the relevant skills of collaboration, strategic planning, and empathy. A true leader should try to understand and act upon what is bothering his or her community and be an agent of change. The Master's program further deepened my commitment to advocating for all students, especially those who may feel like outsiders or face language and cultural barriers. All these collectively empower me to provide inclusive and equitable educational settings where every student gets an opportunity to succeed. I am a professional behavior support assistant, and I work in close cooperation with students who manifest various behavioral and emotional challenges. It is pretty rewarding because, with the application of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, students will feel valued, supported, and understood. Seeing them grow has been a pleasure; it furthers my determination to continue developing my expertise in behavior management and social-emotional learning. This scholarship would mean I could continue, and even more so than I had planned, my education in the subjects leading to many different classrooms. I plan to design programs and initiatives to fill such a gap for students like me, with exceptionally unique challenges and hindrances while navigating the pipeline of educational mobility. I will design mentorship and support services offering college-going opportunities for immigrant and first-generation students with resources and confidence toward their dreams. By providing such networks, students will finally find belonging, purpose, and resiliency to push them toward the realization of their dreams. Receipt of the scholarship would relieve some of the financial burdens associated with my studies and allow me to focus on academic and professional goals without further distraction. I vow to use this support to develop my expertise further, continually inform and build upon my teaching practices, and assure an enduring and positive impact on future generations of students. Thank you for considering my application; I look forward to paying it back and helping future students overcome barriers to realize their full potential.