Finalist
Minal Ahson
University of Miami
Senior in Microbiology/Religious Studies
3.40 GPA

The word “ambassador” has many origins. In Medieval Latin, it means “mission,” and in Latin, it means “servant.” During her four years at the University of Miami, Minal Ahson’s leadership style has combined the humility and loyalty of a servant with the dedication and conviction of a woman on a mission. Whether she’s standing up for the minority population of her college campus or representing her country abroad, Ahson, 22, has proven herself as a true ambassador.

“Minal is a peace-seeking person with indescribable respect and love for all living souls,” says Cristina Florez, advisor for the Council of International Students and Organizations. “It’s curious to see such an old soul speaking out of the mouth of such a young person!”

Although she had held previous leadership positions, this microbiology and religious studies major considers her 2003 election as COISO president as her first “high profile” position. The council consists of 30 separate international student organizations, which represent about 2,000 international students from 110 countries. Concerned that minority and cultural issues were too often overlooked on campus, the Muslim student “made an earnest attempt to inform more students,” Ahson says. “I got more people involved through word of mouth, advertising, working with more student groups, and fostering relationships with student leaders across campus.”

As COISO president, Ahson oversaw International Week 2004, which had the theme of “Seven Wonders of the World.” Its “Hometown USA Day” encouraged students to embrace their roots while a separate fund-raiser helped support the UM American Red Cross’ Measles Initiative. But, Ahson demonstrates that she’s not only a proactive leader but a reactive one, too. Last year, an Affirmative Action Bake Sale caused an uproar on campus when students were charged varying prices depending on their skin color. COISO joined up with fellow minority organizations like the United Black Students and Federaccion de Estudiantes Cubanos to organize a counter-event and a follow-up forum to discuss the issue at hand.

“In all of her international commitments, she has served with grace, confidence, and sensitivity for various cultures and religious groups on campus,” says William R. Butler, vice president emeritus for student affairs. “But, Minal, even more, has spread her passion for cultural diversity at UM and has carried her enthusiasm and foresight into the greater Miami community.”

The momentum from her tenure as COISO president fueled Ahson to run for Student Government vice president in 2004. “I ran to represent the international and minority students,” she says. “Many students came up to me and said, “I’ve never voted before, but now that you’re running, I will!’” Apparently hundreds of other students shared this sentiment, because Ahson won the election. Her primary duty as vice president was to oversee the cabinet, which had previously been considered a “joke branch” of UM SG, Ahson says. Preferring to tackle the cabinet problem head on, Ahson chose not to have a cabinet coordinator act as her liaison—a decision which spurred much criticism. Yet, she succeeded in tripling the size of the cabinet, increasing its diversity, and boosting its communication and efficiency. Now, it’s considered SG’s “research branch,” she says.

“From all my observations, Minal is a person who leads quietly by example, that is, by getting in there and doing what needs to be done,” says Dr. Stephen Sapp, chairperson of the Department of Religious Studies. “Because of this approach, she’s highly respected by her peers, and they are happy to follow her.”

Furthermore, Ahson serves as an active ambassador of the medical community. She continues to work with Visions UM, an HIV/AIDS awareness and educational group that she founded on campus. Student members of the group are certified in HIV training, which allows them to visit high schools and speak to students about sexually transmitted diseases. Also, her extensive research into HIV/AIDS issues has garnered her both recognition and scholarships. In fact, Ahson is the only undergraduate to receive the 2003-2004 Center on Aging Research Scholarship for her proposed research on HIV amongst the elderly.

“Providing health care to those who don’t have access gives them a chance at life,” Ahson says. “Medicine and health can be used to impact social change, and that’s what I want to do with my life.”

Throughout her college career, she has taken this courageous attitude with her on many journeys. In 2003, she visited clinics and hospitals in Tanzania to research the HIV/AIDS epidemic. While there, she also volunteered at an orphanage and taught English and math at a secondary school. But, her hunger to help wasn’t satiated quite yet. Although she enjoyed her 2002 trip to Washington, D.C., through UM’s Alternative Breaks, she wanted the program to take students even further. Becoming the UMAB chair in 2004, Ahson increased the program’s participants to 80 and boosted its destination sites to nine. Furthermore, she worked to gain approval for the first international site in UMAB’s 14-year history. This spring, students flew to Trinidad and worked in conjunction with the University of the West Indies.

“She has the remarkable ability to motivate others and build a spirit of camaraderie,” says Leandra Medina, director of volunteer services at UM’s William R. Butler Volunteer Services Center. “She has proven herself to be dedicated, hardworking, and well-organized in the past three years that I have known her.”

After graduating in the spring, Ahson is confident she’ll go on to medical school. She hopes to someday improve health care in a developing nation by establishing a hospital or clinic. Also, she wants to work with Doctors without Borders, an organization that sends medical relief to war-torn and tragedy-struck nations. Throughout all of her potential future endeavors, one goal remains steadfast: to transform the health care system on a structural level, providing quality care for people of all income levels. “Something needs to change,” she says. “And I hope to be a part of that.”

Ahson, a 2004 Student of the Year finalist, pays for her expenses through scholarships, grants, Florida Prepaid Tuition, and excess from previous semesters. The remainder is covered by her parents.–CG

Contact Ahson at mahson@miami.edu.