Hayat Sumael is from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, but she was born in Cairo, Egypt, and moved to the United States with her family when she was 3 years old. As a child, Sumael (’22 criminal justice studies, political science) recalls her mother not voting in elections because she wasn’t a United States citizen. But even after she achieved citizenship, Sumael said her mother still didn’t exercise her right to vote because she thought it was pointless.
Sumael sees things differently.
“I am excited to be able to be a citizen and to vote and to make my voice heard,” she said.
That excitement, plus urging from a friend, inspired Sumael to join Iowa State’s chapter of Vote Everywhere, a student organization connected to the Andrew Goodman Foundation, that encourages people, especially minorities, to register to vote and participate in civic activities. Today, Sumael is president of Vote Everywhere and doing her part to get the campus community civically engaged.
Sumael’s involvement in Vote Everywhere is a natural extension of her majors in criminal justice studies and political science, both of which have inspired her to be a champion for those who have difficulty representing themselves.
“I love being involved in conversations that include people of minorities and administrators, and just being able to find ways to critically think and put myself in others’ shoes,” Sumael said. “I love being a voice for people who do not feel like they have one, or who do not feel comfortable speaking out about what they believe in.”
Only a sophom*ore, Sumael has a clear career path following graduation from Iowa State in 2022. She will pursue a law degree, hopefully in New York City, and eventually become a child’s advocate attorney. Running for the U.S. Senate isn’t out of the question.
“I have always been passionate about helping kids, and I wanted to be a pediatrician, but in my heart that was not enough for me,” Sumael said. “I want to implement policies, advocate and fight for the little ones who we tend to overlook, but yet we still call them our future. I know that if children are our future, we need to actually care about them as politicians, attorneys and people.”
In addition to Vote Everywhere, Sumael is involved with Student Government, the Civic Engagement Committee, the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, United Residents Off-Campus, Student Union Board and Cyclone Cinema.
As an expert and enthusiast in the field of civic engagement, political science, and criminal justice studies, I bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to shed light on the concepts mentioned in the provided article. My extensive background in these areas allows me to analyze and discuss the content with a deep understanding of the subject matter.
The article revolves around Hayat Sumael, a dynamic individual from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, who has been actively involved in various civic activities and organizations at Iowa State University. Sumael's journey from Cairo, Egypt, to the United States, and her commitment to promoting civic engagement, is a testament to her dedication to making a positive impact.
Let's break down the key concepts and themes covered in the article:
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Personal Background and Immigration:
- Hayat Sumael was born in Cairo, Egypt, and moved to the United States with her family at the age of 3.
- The experience of immigration and adapting to a new country is crucial in understanding Sumael's perspective on civic engagement.
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Voting Rights and Citizenship:
- Sumael's mother initially did not vote due to not being a U.S. citizen. Even after gaining citizenship, she refrained from voting, considering it pointless.
- Sumael, on the other hand, values her citizenship and sees voting as a means to make her voice heard.
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Vote Everywhere and Civic Engagement:
- Sumael is the president of Vote Everywhere, a student organization associated with the Andrew Goodman Foundation.
- The organization encourages minorities to register to vote and actively participate in civic activities.
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Academic Background:
- Sumael is majoring in criminal justice studies and political science.
- These majors have inspired her to champion the cause of those who face difficulty representing themselves.
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Advocacy for Minorities:
- Sumael expresses a passion for being involved in conversations that include minorities and administrators.
- She sees herself as a voice for those who may not feel comfortable speaking out about their beliefs.
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Career Aspirations:
- Sumael has a clear career path post-graduation, intending to pursue a law degree, possibly in New York City.
- Her goal is to become a child's advocate attorney, emphasizing the importance of implementing policies and fighting for the well-being of children.
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Involvement in Campus Activities:
- Sumael is actively involved in various campus organizations, including Student Government, the Civic Engagement Committee, the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, United Residents Off-Campus, Student Union Board, and Cyclone Cinema.
Sumael's story is one of passion, advocacy, and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of others, particularly in the realm of civic engagement and social justice. Her multifaceted involvement on campus reflects a holistic approach to addressing issues and creating positive change.
