As the new academic year dawns, fresh representatives emerge to voice their class's collective needs. The incoming students, brimming with enthusiasm, stand ready to support the class of 2028. Among these students are Ameer Sadi and Yasmin Ahmed, planning to embark on a journey as the representatives of the freshman class. Both Ameer and Yasmin are committed to an "all-encompassing" vision, emphasizing the importance of communication and connection among students. Eager to share their skills, plans, and ideas for enhancing their cohort's experience and Georgetown culture, the pair agreed to a joint interview with The Georgetown Gazette. This collaborative approach to the interview reflected their partnership and shared vision for their role as representatives. The Gazette explored their perspectives on a range of topics, including their individual strengths, their understanding of Georgetown's culture, and their plans as class representatives. Their responses offered insight into how these newcomers plan to navigate their roles and contribute to the Georgetown community.
When asked about their decision to team up, both Yasmin and Ameer shared similar sentiments. Yasmin initiated the conversation, saying, "Midway through presenting our five-point statements, we realized that Ameer and I were the two most serious, strong candidates. We had a lot of similar ideas and shared a passion for improving the batch experience at GUQ, so teaming up seemed like a no-brainer." Ameer agreed, adding, "we both genuinely wanted to do this and took the election with the same level of seriousness. A big theme we found in common was communication, representation, and community – essentially, the connection between us and the people we're representing." As new and upcoming students in the university, the two demonstrated their shared commitment to attentive listening and proactive problem-solving in representing diverse student interests. Yasmin began, "We're both very attentive and good at listening to problems, even when they're not directly voiced to us. A big issue we noticed early on was communication. Many students complained about slow emails or lack of clarity, which was a constant theme in our group chat." Ameer added, "That's why one of the main points in my platform was a communication system where students could submit suggestions and complaints. It's not just about giving students a voice, but also about helping us gauge the most pressing issues for the class of 2028 as we start the year."
Furthermore, Yasmin mentioned, "We've already reached out to upperclassmen and people in Georgetown to understand current issues and get a head start on potential challenges." Ameer highlighted their commitment to action, saying, "We're not just listening; we're planning to implement ideas like the suggestion ballot to ensure everyone's opinions are valued and addressed." Yasmin concluded by praising their collaborative approach, "I really liked Ameer's suggestion ballot idea when I saw his five-point statement. It's another tool we'll use to make sure everyone's voices are heard and that we actually do something about their concerns, not just ignore them." As to why these two decided to run as class representatives before even stepping foot into Georgetown, Yasmin emphasized her and Ameer’s early engagement: "Even before SGA nominations, we were passionate about Georgetown. I created an Instagram group chat for our class. When this opportunity came up, it was a no-brainer for us to get involved. Living here, we're not unfamiliar with Georgetown, which adds to our connection." Ameer shared his personal interest: "I've always been drawn to public speaking and student government-type organizations. Someone even tagged me in the group chat saying I seemed like the type to run. My excitement for Georgetown is genuine - I've attended Hiwaraat conferences and both my parents went to Georgetown University in DC, so I've been looking forward to this for a long time." The pair then proceeded to highlight their personalities and experiences, Yasmin noted, "We both have strong personalities, which shows in our communication and how we present ideas. We also have previous leadership experience." Ameer added, "I'm really eager for orientation week to start. I've been looking forward to it for a very long time."
Both Yasmin and Ameer also discussed what sets them apart from the other candidates. Yasmin and Ameer highlighted their comprehensive approach and genuine commitment to student representation. Ameer began, "We've presented the most all-encompassing, serious platform both before and after teaming up. We're not just offering skills; we have specific ideas for change and for creating an environment where change can happen. Our suggestion ballot, for instance, isn't just a change to the university—it's a platform for ongoing improvements." He emphasized their proactive engagement, adding, "We've been actively talking to people and staying involved in group chats to understand what students want. This level of engagement really sets us apart." Yasmin built on this, stressing their consistency: "Ameer and I have been consistent throughout—in our campaigning, our ideas, and our involvement. We're not just coming up with ideas to win; we genuinely care about improving the Georgetown experience for our batch." She pointed out their ongoing involvement: "Even before the SGA elections, we were always the ones answering questions and staying informed about what's happening on campus. Our commitment didn't start with this election—it's been consistent from the beginning." Moreover, the pair demonstrated strong leadership through their excellent communication skills and outspoken nature. Yasmin emphasized this, stating, "Communication is like a big one... how we communicate through our ideas making the posters but also how we communicate with the batch is very important." Their willingness to voice opinions is evident in Yasmin's words, "We're outspoken, we're not afraid to give our opinion... say what we think is wrong or right." She exemplified this by mentioning Ameer's engagement in "numerous political debates with people in the group chat."
Both candidates exhibit passion and dedication and Ameer highlighted this, saying, "I'm ready to put as much time as I possibly can into this like whenever I'm needed, I'm going to try to be there." He also brings valuable experience, mentioning his involvement in "students for Palestine and Amnesty International" and the "Palestinian youth movement." Their collaborative approach is clear in how they complement each other's responses. Yasmin notes, "that's a really good quality that we both have," showcasing their teamwork. Ameer emphasizes their commitment to driving change, stating he prioritizes "communication and change in Georgetown," demonstrating initiative in addressing important issues within their community. Overall, Yasmin and Ameer's combination of strong communication skills, passion, experience, and teamwork, as evidenced by their own words, makes them promising candidates for leadership roles, particularly those requiring advocacy and public engagement.
Lastly, Yasmin and Ameer present themselves as passionate, dedicated candidates with a strong desire to effect positive change within their community. Their enthusiasm for the role, combined with their communication skills, outspokenness, and collaborative spirit, positions them as strong contenders for leadership positions. The pair’s genuine commitment to improvement and willingness to invest time and effort into their goals suggests they would be proactive and engaged leaders if elected. A collaborative approach is evident in how they complement each other's responses and work together effectively. They show initiative in addressing important issues and driving positive change within their community, particularly at Georgetown.
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