by Zayd Hamid

As the summer begins, and students are still a month away from starting classes, the challenge of how to succeed at the next level can be a daunting task. It can be especially tough for students of color. Over the next several weeks, the PW Perspective will feature a new series on how to help both high school and college students chart the path. Our guide on this tour will be none other than Zayd Hamid, a first generation student of color who was the commencement student speaker at George Mason University’s graduation earlier this year.

According to an article in National Student Clearinghouse, “Returning students are increasingly attending a different institution from where they last enrolled (51.2% of returning students are transfers this year, up from 44.4% in 2021).” This is especially the case for disadvantaged students, those from lower income backgrounds, as well as Black and Hispanic students. While there are several reasons for students to transfer, one way to ensure a great collegiate experience is to search for a school which has similar values. Whether that is a commitment to the local community, or to a culture, find a school that aligns with your belief system.

Zayd talked about how an AP Capstone field trip to George Mason University, the largest and most diverse university in Virginia, as part of a HS program made his decision an easy one. “It looked like America to me,” he said. After enrolling there, he took on student-facing leadership roles throughout his time as an undergraduate. These included being an orientation leader to help others with their college transitions. 

Part of the successful college transition is the search for community at your new institution. Finding others in student organizations with shared academic interest, hobbies and extracurricular passions, career goals, identities, etc. can greatly improve your early social experience and connection to your new university. That was true of Zayd’s experience in his university’s student government among other organizations. “Even if you can’t find it, you can create it at your school,” he said. 

He talked about how seeing the large international and first-generation student population and organizations supporting those communities at George Mason University helped further ease his transition process. “There’s joy in seeing diaspora communities connecting with their countries of origin,” he said. “There’s an infrastructure which supports students from different backgrounds. People can find a slice of home on campus.”

(Zayd Hamid is the 2023 Student Advocate of the Year, member of the National Institute of Lobbying and Ethics, member of the National Society for Leadership and Success, and a current Master of Public Policy student at George Mason University. Find out more about his resume services by visiting his LinkedIn page.)