Mahak Ahmad

Hello, my name is Mahak Ahmad, and I am a first-year Master of Science in Higher Education graduate student at CSUF. My journey has been shaped by both challenges and triumphs, fueling my passion for supporting students.

My path in student advocacy began in 2018 when I volunteered at Norco College’s academic advising office. I saw firsthand the struggles students face in navigating their academic paths and helping them overcome these challenges ignited my dedication to providing accessible, personalized guidance. It was during this time that I began to feel an eagerness to be a voice for students and advocate on their behalf. This experience laid the foundation for my passion for serving students and ensuring they have the support they need to succeed.

In 2021, I worked as a research assistant for Dr. Young-Suk Grace Kim at UC Irvine, leading undergraduate teams. This experience deepened my understanding of collaboration and resilience in education. It taught me the importance of working together to achieve common goals, and that meaningful change happens when we combine our efforts. Later that year, I also led community engagement workshops at UCI, empowering students to take ownership of their campus experience. This reinforced the belief that for students to see real change, we must all speak up and unite. It became clear to me that when an entire student population amplifies their voices and advocates together, they can drive the change they want to see. This realization has further fueled my dedication to ensuring that students are empowered, not just individually, but as a collective force that can influence and transform the campus experience.

Now, as a Graduate Assistant in ASI Organizational Operations and Corporate Affairs at on campus, I am continuing to build on these experiences. I remain deeply committed to advocating for students by amplifying their voices and fostering environments where they can thrive.

As a first-generation Pakistani-American graduate student, I am running for the ASI Board of Directors with a bold vision: to create a campus where every student’s voice is not only heard, but valued and acted upon. I believe in the transformative power of collective action. Together, we can shape an environment that reflects our diverse needs, dreams, and aspirations, ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive.

If elected, my top priorities will be:

1. Strengthening Student Support Services
Every student deserves access to the resources they need to thrive—academically, personally, and professionally. I will work tirelessly to improve mental health resources, enhance academic advising, and expand financial aid support. My goal is to make support services not just available, but easily accessible and responsive to student needs.

2. Fostering Inclusive Campus Spaces
Our diversity is our strength. As a first-generation student, I understand how difficult it can be to find your place in a campus that doesn’t always reflect your experiences. I am committed to building an inclusive campus where students of all backgrounds feel safe, supported, and empowered. This means advocating for more opportunities for underrepresented groups, ensuring diverse voices are actively included in decision-making processes, and fostering a campus culture that celebrates differences rather than just tolerates them.

3. Enhancing Student Engagement and Advocacy
Every student deserves to have their voice heard. Through my work as a research assistant, graduate assistant, and active member of student organizations like the Higher Education Leadership Organization (HELO) on campus, I’ve seen how passionate students are about shaping their campus experience. I will ensure there are accessible platforms for students to share concerns and ideas—whether through town halls, surveys, or direct engagement with leadership. I will amplify your voice and advocate for the changes that matter most to you.

Promoting Mental Health and Wellness
4. Mental health is a critical issue, and I will be a strong advocate for improving resources and breaking the stigma around mental health care. I’ll collaborate with on-campus organizations and mental health professionals to expand access to counseling services and promote wellness initiatives that encourage a balanced, healthy lifestyle for all students.

5. Building Stronger Connections Between Students and Administration
As your representative for the College of Education, I will bridge the gap between students and administration. I will ensure that student feedback drives decisions on policies, facilities, and initiatives that impact our daily lives. My goal is to cultivate a culture of transparency, accountability, and collaboration that works for every Titan.

I am not running for this position because I want to lead—I’m running because I want to serve YOU, the students. I believe that real change comes from a collective vision, and I am dedicated to turning that vision into action. But I need your help. Together, we can make CSUF a campus that reflects our values, supports our dreams, and prepares us for success beyond graduation.

I hope to earn your vote, and I promise to fight for every student’s needs, aspirations, and future.

Let’s make the change we want to see—together.

Empower, Elevate, Unite – Together, We’ll Amplify Every Voice and Create the Change We All Deserve!