Each week, we showcase one of our CAHNRS Ambassadors, a student leadership organization that encourages students to pursue higher education and serves as a liaison between the college and the greater community. This week, we’re featuring Fatima Zubedi, a sophomore from Bakersfield, Calif.
What are you studying?
I’m majoring in Human Development.
Favorite Show/Movie:
Stand By Me
Favorite Cougar Tradition:
My favorite tradition as a Cougar would have to be rushing the field during victorious football games. I recall last year’s game against USC when the final seconds on the clock began to disappear and as the scoreboard came to a zero. My best friend and I, alongside tons of other Cougs, ran down to the field. Everywhere I turned it was pictures being captured in Coug gear, laughs, handshakes, etc. It was the most treasured memory I have thus far, and the best part was when we came together in harmony to sing Andy Grammar’s classic Back Home.
Favorite CAHNRS Commodity:
Throughout my entire life, I’ve always grown up not necessarily liking ice cream–it was just one of those things I’d never eat or, if I did choose to eat it, indulge in once every few months. Entering freshmen year at WSU, I went through the Alive orientation in which one of the locations we visited was Ferdinand’s ice cream. Let me just say, I fell back in love with ice cream again. The vanilla ice cream was the creamiest and most fresh flavor of vanilla I had ever had in my entire life. I knew from that day on it would always be my go-to on campus. The best part is that it’s a CAHNRS commodity made by students, just one more reason to love it.
Why be a CAHNRS Coug?
During Alive, I fell in love with the opportunities CAHNRS offered. While there wasn’t a Human Development representative, the other CAHNRS members were very inclusive which made it seem like I was going to be joining this family when I joined CAHNRS. When questioning whether to stay in CAHNRS, it was the people that made me stay. My classmates, friends, professors, and more have all become like a family to me. CAHNRS helped to get me involved with extracurriculars, research, and gave me a family away from home.
Best Student Experience:
Coming from California, I knew no one attending WSU. All of my friends were staying in state. I thought the icebreaker into meeting more people would be going through sorority recruitment, so I decided to register for it. I arrived at WSU one week earlier than most students for fall semester, and instantly bonded with the girls within my dorm hall who had come earlier to participate in recruitment. As the week went along, I finally got to run home to the sorority I fell in love with. The days that followed grew to become more enjoyable. Now as a sophomore, I can honestly say I found my home away from home, and strong friendships with sisters that will last me a lifetime.
CAHNRS Taught Me:
My freshmen spring semester I took HD 200, in which various professors from the Human Development field would come in and speak about their professions. One day, Dr. Weaver came in and gave her presentation on Gerontology. I was instantly interested with the field, even though it was the opposite of what I wanted to pursue. After meeting with Dr. Weaver, I became involved with undergraduate research and it has been a constant learning and growing experience. Without CAHNRS, I would have never come across this opportunity so early in my life.