Meet the MMSG Leaders

Umar Kamara

2024 Student Employee of the Year Award

Many congratulations to Umar Kamara (McCormick ’26)! Based on his work with ASLA’s MMSG program, Umar has received the 2024 Student Employee of the Year Award in Community Service.  Given annually by the Work-Study Program and Leadership Development & Community Engagement Offices, the award acknowledges and emphasizes the value and contributions made by student employees to their departments in the areas of Community Service, Critical Thinking, Leadership, Technology & Innovation, and Diversity & Inclusion. Umar is being honored for his tireless devotion to mentoring first-year undergraduates in engineering, many of whom reflect identities unrepresented in STEM. Umar not only leads his weekly study group in Engineering Analysis, but he has taken on leadership roles in ASLA's Navigating Northwestern Academics panel, in the recruitment of next year’s peer-leader cohort, and in representing the University in discussion about academic support at peer institutions.  We thank Umar and all our peer leaders who make a real difference for their fellow students at Northwestern!

Ifra Waris

Neuroscience and Global Health, class of 2025

What is one thing that you do to help students feel comfortable in the MMSG group?

I never want weekly MMSGs to feel like a chore or just another meeting to the group! That's why I do my best to bring snacks and start off with icebreakers and general chit chat to make the space feel welcome and fun! This quarter especially, my MMSG students have been able to bond and form friendships, and even study together outside of our weekly MMSG. 

What is the best advice you have gotten on navigating Northwestern?  

Don't get caught up in comparing yourself to others. Focus on doing your best, and be proud of how far you've come! Northwestern culture can be competitive at times, but remember that your worth comes from so much more than your grades! 

Edward Chen

Computer Science, class of 2024

What is one thing that you do to help students feel comfortable in the MMSG group?

At the beginning of each session, I ask students their highs and lows of the week and share mine as well to help them feel comfortable. I also make sure that all questions are answered before moving on to new material.

What is the best advice you have gotten on navigating Northwestern?  

I definitely had an easier time navigating Northwestern by working with friends who have the same goal as me. Learning how to ask and find help as well as reaching out to professors and classmates made my life much easier at Northwestern.

Danling Zhou

Biological Sciences and Data Science, class of 2024

What is one thing that you do to help students feel comfortable in the MMSG group?

I purposefully call students by name and ask them to share their thoughts, and I show my appreciation for all responses (whether correct, incorrect, or “I don’t know”). This gives everyone opportunities to talk and creates a comfortable space where mistakes and imperfections are welcomed.

What is the best advice you have gotten on navigating Northwestern?

Be accountable for yourself first, and then for your work.

 

Reed Malcolm

Environmental Science, class of 2025

What is one thing that you do to help students feel comfortable in the MMSG group?

I always like to give plenty of downtime to discuss the material independently and get to know each other better. Breaks are also important not just for helping everyone stay focused but also for allowing people to forge social bonds.

What is the best advice you have gotten on navigating Northwestern?  

My advisers here at Northwestern have helped connect me with so many valuable academic resources, ASLA included. But they also stress taking the time to care for one's own wellbeing, which I think is crucial as well.

Tom Tiamraj

Computer Engineering, class of 2025

What is one thing that you do to help students feel comfortable in the MMSG group?

 I try to help the students in my MMSG group feel more comfortable by establishing rapport amongst the group. I find that when students build connections with their fellow peers, it allows them to have more comfortable discussions and foster a better learning environment.

What is the best advice you have gotten on navigating Northwestern?  

The best advice I've gotten on navigating Northwestern is to find good friends and explore the activities you enjoy, whether it's through classes, extracurricular activities, or spending time with people.

Isabel Toghramadijan

Biological Sciences, Data Science, and Geography, class of 2025

What is one thing that you do to help students feel comfortable in the MMSG group?

I strive to help everyone understand that they are not alone in their struggles in the courses. I acknowledge that the material is difficult (even for me!), but I share the tips and tricks that I use to approach problems in what I think is a more understandable and intuitive way.

What is the best advice you have gotten on navigating Northwestern?  

Focus on what interests you, and you'll end up where you're meant to be. Don't waste your energy comparing your path to those around you, because at the end of your time here you'll enter the world as an individual, and any comparisons to your college peers will be irrelevant.

Katie He

Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences and Economics, class of 2024

What is one thing that you do to help students feel comfortable in the MMSG group?

One thing I do to help students feel comfortable is to go over foundational concepts and do a few made-up practice problems before having them do test questions. I find that it makes people less anxious to do practice exam questions as well. 

What is the best advice you have gotten on navigating Northwestern?  

The best piece of advice I have gotten on navigating Northwestern is to have a growth mindset. We all excelled in high school and did not properly experience failure to the amount that we experience in college. I think having a growth mindset allows you to lift some of that daunting pressure that you put on yourself daily and enables you to go do the things you need to do to pursue your goals, such as asking questions in class, going to office hours to get help, etc. 

Caitlin Smith

Biology and Global Health, class of 2025

What is one thing that you do to help students feel comfortable in the MMSG group?

I always start my sessions with an icebreaker, like rose-bud-thorn, to build a rapport and learn more about everyone's lives outside of classes. I also make sure to leave time at the end of sessions for open-ended Q&A so that everyone knows I am an accessible resource.

What is the best advice you have gotten on navigating Northwestern?  

Use the academic resources available to you! I joined a Peer-Guided Study Group during my freshman fall, and it made all the difference in helping me feel confident and supported in that class.