Nimra Shabbir was selected to be the student speaker at Commencement for the Class of 2021.
Hometown: Islamabad, Pakistan
Major: Political science
Minor: Philosophy
Activities: Vice president Student Forum Class of 2021; Orientation Committee; Affiliate caller, Phonathon; Senior week planning committee; resident advisor, Davidson House; summer research fellow; Women’s Union
Favorite class: Middle East Politics taught by Professor Tom Lobe. It covers the internal politics and conflicts in most of the countries in the Middle East region and provides more context on what life is like in war zones. I always thought it was very complicated to understand the politics of the Middle East, but after this class not only was I aware of so many political conflicts in the world but also found myself more interested in keeping up with the news in the Middle East.
What I’ll miss the most: Honestly, everything about Union! People, campus, professors, Student Forum and our incredibly amazing community. At Union, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and got very involved on campus. I think this was only possible because Union is such a supportive community overall, which made it easier for me to explore my leadership style without any fear of judgment. So yeah, I would pretty much miss everything about Union.
Advice for incoming students: I know four years seems like a lot of time but you will not realize how fast it will fly. Make the most out of your four years here and really try to enjoy your time. Be open-minded and ready to explore all your options at Union. Prioritize your academics, get involved on campus and take advantage of the Becker Career Center. You can have a well-rounded experience at Union if you take the right steps from the beginning.
Life after Union: I am currently preparing for the LSAT and would like to go to law school in the future. I intend to pursue my career in the legal space, particularly in litigation.