Roo Ahmad ’29 arrived at Arcadia University with a story shaped by resilience. From navigating the grief of losing her grandmother, to adjusting to a new school community, to facing harassment tied to her identity, she has carried her experiences into a vision for the future: to become a teacher who ensures every student feels seen and valued.

“Losing my grandmother was life-changing,” Ahmad said. “She was my best friend, and after she passed, I felt like I had to be strong for my siblings. When COVID hit soon after, I put my own grief aside because everyone else was already struggling.”

When Ahmad started high school at Northeast Magnet in Philadelphia, she found a sense of joy that she hadn’t felt since her grandmother passed.

“I threw myself into clubs, became ‘school mayor,’ and was deeply involved in literally everything,” she said. “But grief doesn’t disappear. I fell into depression and even attempted suicide. My gym teacher, Coach Bell, stood by me, reminding me every day that the world was better with me in it. That support saved me.”

Before she graduated high school, Ahmad’s family moved out of Philadelphia, and she transferred to Council Rock South, a suburban school of more than 2,000 students. 

“I went from the melting pot of Philadelphia to a school where I was one of only three Palestinians,” she said. “I feared my life would reset, but I promised myself not to let hardship define me. Within six months, I was elected class vice president, even though most students had known each other since kindergarten.”

Her experience shifted again in 2023 when global media began highlighting the atrocities Palestinians were facing. 

“As a Palestinian student in a predominantly zionist area, I became a target at my high school,” Ahmad said. “I was harassed, followed to my bus stop, spit at, called a terrorist, had rocks thrown at me, and even faced attempts to remove me from the student council. It was one of the hardest times of my life.”

Even while feeling excluded, Ahmad focused on creating spaces of belonging for others. 

“I started community traditions like a door decorating contest and homecoming,” she said. “I served as president of Buddy Club and Athletes Helping Athletes, both focused on students with special needs. Through Mini-THON, I helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for pediatric cancer. As head editor-in-chief of the yearbook, I worked to amplify real student voices and capture the spirit of our school. I managed the girls’ volleyball team and made sure every game ran smoothly. As a photographer, I attended and documented nearly every sporting event and community activity, celebrating students who might have otherwise gone unseen.”

In the midst of this adversity, Ahmad found her path forward.

“Through the chaos, I discovered my strength as a leader. I built community in a place where I had none, and I gave others the sense of belonging I was searching for myself,” she explained. “That’s why I want to be a teacher, not just to teach, but to be the person in a student’s life that I always needed. I want every student to walk into my classroom and know they are loved, safe, and seen. For some kids, school is the only place where they feel their worth, and I never want a student to feel invisible.”

Now an English major on the Secondary Education track and a member of the Social Action and Justice Education Fellowship (SAJE), Ahmad has hit the ground running in her first month at Arcadia.

“I chose Arcadia because I wanted a place where community is valued, where I can grow into the teacher I aspire to be, and where empathy and belonging are at the heart of everything,” she said. “Being selected as a SAJE Fellow has only affirmed that. SAJE gave me the chance to turn my experiences into action and reminded me that I have a purpose here. It showed me that Arcadia not only values my story but also believes in my ability to create change. That’s why I know I belong here, not just as a student, but as a future educator and advocate for justice.”

Outside of SAJE, Ahmad hopes to get involved with clubs and organizations centered around diversity, student leadership, and service. She enjoys reading, writing, journaling, photography, cooking Palestinian food, spending time with family and friends, and organizing events that bring people together.

“My proudest accomplishment is turning my pain into purpose,” Ahmad said. “After losing my grandmother, struggling with grief, and facing discrimination, I still chose to keep going. That persistence led me here, to Arcadia, where I know I belong.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression and/or suicidal thoughts, 988 is available 24/7, and Counseling Services can be reached at 215-572-2967, by emailing counselingservices@arcadia.edu, or by walk-in at Heinz Hall, room #38. For after-hours emergencies, contact Public Safety at 215-572-2999.