My name is Aicha Niang and I am on a combined degree track at the University of Buffalo. I am currently pursuing a BA (Health and Human Services)/MSW degree. As a first generation student coming from a West/North African immigrant household I can say I am truly inspired by my own journey of endurance and purpose. I value higher education and see it as not only as a personal achievement but most importantly as a plan for change in the world. My academic journey has been a rollercoaster but it’s a ride I’d do all over again— Health and Human Services wasn’t my initial major, Biology was. I made the switch when I realized that one of my deepest core values is advocacy. I am a nurturer, a communicator, an educator, and an advocate, these strengths aligns perfectly with my future career goals of becoming a social worker and eventually start a healthcare company that supports child development and provides affordable healthcare products to underserved communities.
Throughout my undergraduate years at the University of Buffalo, I have been involved in my community outreach and leadership opportunities. My most recent involvement was through CSTEP at my university where I served as a Campus Health Educator. This role allowed me to work as a group leader and collaborate with my classmates in efforts to educate the student body about health disparities in the United States. I’ve also participated in student club organizations opportunities that focus on public service, justice, and youth development. One highlight was performing a spoken word poem at “Justice on the Mic,” where I used storytelling, sound effects, and music to speak on systemic racism and the strength of the Black community. I also served on an executive board for the African Student as African Affairs. This role allowed me to always engage with the student body and educate them about the history of Africa, its culture, and how our generation contributes to our bloodline. Starting within my community is a big step for me, I’m able to learn skills such as hands on, people first approach, effective communication, active listening, and much more. These skills combined with my cultural background and lived experiences, allows me to bring a unique, empathetic perspective to any space I enter. My academic interests are rooted in a desire to address healthcare disparities and improve the lives of children and families locally and even potentially worldwide, I truly believe in it taking village to raise a child, community is everything to me. I hope to work one on one with youth as a social worker/ guidance counselor fostering a sense of community while also laying the foundation for a global healthcare initiative. No matter anyone’s background/ lifestyle, access to the tools, education, and healthcare needs to thrive should not be a challenged to retrieve and it’s my duty to make sure of that.
At my university I once saw a quote on the wall by Steve Jobs that stated “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do”, I want my future community and youth to know that I am in fact that crazy and can’t honestly wait for my future to unfold.