As the 2022-23 Augustana Student Association (ASA) president and vice president, Sara Alhasnawi ‘23 and Tsegab Arega ‘23 understand the importance of the titles they hold as representatives of the student body. But, their representation stretches even further. Alhasnawi and Arega are only the fourth female duo and first women of color to serve as president and vice president since ASA’s establishment in 1922.
“This is something that we don't take lightly,” said Arega, a sociology and government & international affairs double major. “I hope that people see us in a leadership position and don't question our abilities or who they are because of their skin color. I think our position is a promise to the possibilities that are out there, and that if we can do it, they can do it.”
Arega and Alhasnawi are from Ethiopia and Iraq, respectively, but both grew up in Sioux Falls, and attended Roosevelt High School together — providing them with a strong foundation for the partnership they formed when they reached Augustana. The pair decided to run for ASA president and vice president the spring of their sophomore year at AU and spent their junior year brainstorming initiatives and changes they wanted implemented.
Arega got involved with ASA as a first-year student, serving as a diversity ambassador for the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. She served as a senator her sophomore and junior years, as well as chair of the diversity committee. Alhasnawi, a biochemistry and Spanish double major, joined ASA as an affinity senator for the Asian Student Organization her sophomore year, then served as secretary her junior year.
“The idea of advocating for a whole community, whether it was their interfaith needs, cultural needs or ensuring that their organizations were receiving the support that they wanted — I think that's why I decided to run (for affinity senator),” Alhasnawi said.
Now, as the pair wraps up their first semester in their leadership positions, they said they’re proud of all they have accomplished and look forward to all that’s ahead.
“I want to recognize that all these projects we are getting done would not have been possible without all the senators and chairs that are involved,” said Alhasnawi. “It's absolutely amazing that we were blessed with such a good team.”
The students also credit ASA’s Faculty Advisor, Dean of Students Mark Blackburn, for his role in their success.
“He is our saving grace,” Alhasnawi said. “He’s the support behind everything we do.”
The duo cited their biggest accomplishments of the semester as their work on increased opportunities for international student employment, the implementation of reproductive resources on campus, increased transparency with the student body and an active senate.
As for the future, the pair is looking forward to the dental and optometry pop-up clinics they have planned for students in February and April. The second annual Diversity Summit will be held in March, as ASA finalizes its keynote speaker and workshops. The ASA Housing & Dining Committee will bring forward a dietary restriction form and hopes to set up a direct chat line between students and Augustana University Dining Services, managed by Sodexo.
Alhasnawi and Arega are also excited for additional sustainability initiatives, such as possible solar panels on campus, with a dedicated task force. The ASA Curriculum Committee plans to host additional writing seminars and provide resources for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), along with a “Career Closet” — offering professional attire donated by AU community members to students in need.
With all of the semester’s accomplishments and those yet to come, the president and vice president are even more aware of the responsibility to their fellow students. Arega said, though, she’s grateful for the role she’s been given.
“I think that feeling of responsibility is something I will cherish, even though it does come with stress,” said Arega. “Having the privilege and honor to serve the student body is something that's not given to all students, and definitely not to women who look like us, so that is an honor itself. I didn't expect to feel proud, and I didn't realize the value of it until I got to the position.”
After graduation, both women plan to apply to graduate school — Alhasnawi hopes to pursue a career in health care and advocacy, and Arega in health care policy or legislation. Both students said that Augustana has provided them with invaluable connections that will serve them well in these career paths.
“Augustana has set me up with some amazing connections, but also it's taught me, beyond just the classroom, about what my major entails, how to find a support system, advocate for others, how these lessons can translate into the real world and apply to our career paths,” Alhasnawi said.
To learn more about the Augustana Student Association, visit augie.edu/ASA.