By Noam Abrahams
Looking back at my three years with the Undergraduate Student Government, I can’t believe how far I’ve come and what we’ve been able to accomplish together as a community.
After COVID-19 cut my senior year of high school short in 2020, I lost contact with most of my high school friends. Deciding to take a gap year so that I wouldn’t start college online, I spent a lonely year working as a second-grade teaching assistant before finally starting at BC as the college transitioned back to in-person classes. Stepping onto the city bus that first day, I thought to myself: “Thank god I’m going to a commuter school where I can just go to class and then back home without talking to anybody”.
Around 3 weeks later, I had accidentally found my first role in student life on campus as treasurer of the Orthodox Club. Although I originally was just attending OC events as a way to get kosher food near campus, when the president of the club at the time asked me to be treasurer, I agreed to do it temporarily because they told me the club couldn’t run events without one. I had no idea what any of that meant, what a treasurer did, or that I’d end up spending a year and a half working to build a space on campus where students feel welcome. Working on the OC with that original team in my freshman year was when I first learned how to be a community leader, and it’s shaped who I am on such a basic level that I sometimes have trouble imagining who I was before.
Being part of the OC was how I first heard about the Undergraduate Student Government. As the campus struggled to handle some institutional COVID brain fog, I met a ragtag group of students doing everything they could to create an engaging campus that students could be proud to call their college. Although I was originally a little hesitant about getting involved, because I didn’t think I had anything to add to the conversation, people saw potential in me that I didn’t know I had.
A huge thank you to the original team that helped me get started: Aharon Grama, who saw my potential before I had even learned how to make a motion; Evie Barth, who taught me everything I know and everything I still don’t; Sadiya Hoque, who still makes her mark on this college every day; Mariam Alex, who set the standard for what USG can do for students; Robert Adler, who always pushed the boundary of what a student leader could do; and Flavia Shyti, who’s one of the most supportive people I’ve ever met.
When I was first approached about the possibility of becoming USG treasurer, I was confused. I was an art major, so what did I know about budgets, line items, or fiscal policy? The idea of managing finances for student government felt completely out of reach. But after some encouragement and a lot of patient mentorship, I took a chance.
That year taught me that leadership isn’t about having the perfect résumé; it’s about showing up, listening carefully, and being willing to learn. I owe a huge thank you to the 2023/2024 USG team for supporting me while I started making my niche in USG: Carrie Ebbin, my forever president and one of the smartest people I know; Huda Ayaz, whose care and love for the students at BC know no bounds; Joan Joseph, with her amazing creativity and dedication; Milada Sirota, for always keeping me humble; Ajadah Simms, the nicest person I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with; Royta Iftakher, who’s dedication to any task thrown at her has taught me what perseverance means; and Dylan Karlowski, who I met by chance but has become my closest friend during these last two years.
The next year, I made the leap to run for president of USG, a decision that felt both terrifying and exhilarating. It has been the greatest honor of my college career to serve as USG’s president, and double that to be USG’s first openly queer/asexual president. I couldn’t have done any of this without this year’s incredible executive team.
Thank you to Nitu Farhin, my partner-in-crime, for keeping me focused and sharp; Taseen Islam, a true genius and confidant; Haritha Lakshmanan, a better treasurer than I ever was; Naomi Hymowitz, for being a shoulder to lean on; Doha Nemr, for her forever willingness to learn and grow with the team; Jaia Jones, for being able to move anything across the finish line, no matter how tough a task; Anna Belenko, for pioneering how USG’s communicatiion with the student body; and Carmine Tepedino, for always being willing to work on my crazy new ideas.
Now, as I step away from student government, I’m filled with pride thinking about how much we’ve achieved over the past three years. From launching the new Bulldog Connection and supporting the best clubs in CUNY, to rising to the occasion and making sure BC was doing what it needed to support immigrant & international students, to holding amazing events, including BC @ Barclay’s and the campus’s first Spirit Week since COVID, every project has been a testament to what’s possible when students come together with a shared vision. The work wasn’t always easy, and the wins didn’t always come quickly, but together we’ve helped shape a campus culture that’s more inclusive, more responsive, and more connected.
Being a part of student government has completely changed my life. To everyone who has been part of this journey, to club leaders (the real heart of campus), to professors and staff, to campus administrators, thank you. Thank you for the conversations in hallways, the debates in meetings, the quiet encouragement, and the loud applause. Even if we’ve only spoken once, know that you’ve played an instrumental role in building not just the campus, but my life.
Thank you for trusting me, challenging me, and walking alongside me as we worked to build something better. BC has been more than just a school to me; it’s been a home full of people who care deeply and show up for each other. As I graduate and move on to whatever comes next, I leave with hope that the culture of compassion and accountability we’ve nurtured will only grow stronger, and that the next generation of student leaders will continue to dream boldly, speak honestly, and lead with heart. Every student can make a difference when they step up.
Like the BC motto says: Nothing Without Great Effort.
Sincerely,
Noam Abrahams