Courtesy of Sarah Rahimi
SMU is proud to be home to world changers, and it all starts with the moment a student decides to become a leader. We are proud here at Her Campus to present SMU’s Leading Ladies, taking charge and making a difference in the community.
Sarah Rahimi is one such leader, already on her final year with us. Graduating in three years, Sarah will be going out into student teaching in the fall with her studies in history and education, back at her old elementary school.
Until then, Sarah will continue leading SMU’s chapter of Circle K International, a worldwide service organization.
“The difference between CKI and a lot of other service organizations is that it is lifelong service. It doesn’t end after college. In fact, you can start long before, with Key Club in high school, move into CKI in college, and continue on to Kiwanis afterwards! We’re also not a group with a particular agenda for service projects. It’s not about us telling you what to do; a lot of it is you telling us! If you think there’s an opportunity to serve the community, we’re more than happy to hear it,” Rahimi says.
As if leading a chapter of one of the largest worldwide student organizations wasn’t enough, Sarah is also taking part in conducting an Engaged Learning Project.
“My mentor encouraged me to do this engaged learning project. The whole point is to work on something that interests you, and I chose oral histories of African immigrants who come to the Dallas area,” she says.
Sarah is also getting involved with the National Council on Teaching Quality, or NCTQ, working to better prepare teachers for the classroom.
“I’m inspired by the chance to make people happy, especially kids. To be a teacher, you have to love kids, but I’m really excited to share my experiences and knowledge,” she says. “Later on, I want to dedicate at least two years in an underdeveloped or third-world country, whether that be in Africa or a poorer part of India, and educate the children there.”
Her ambitions follow her mottos. The first, being “Nothing comes easy, but rather with hard work and dedication,” and the second being that of CKI, “Live to Serve, Love to Serve.”
“To be a leader and to physically serve is one thing, but to be a leader and serve from the heart is totally different. I like to serve in any capacity. I don’t wait to make a large impact, rather any chance I get to make even a small impact, I try to avail that chance. If you cannot change someone’s life then at least you can change a few moments of someone’s life. That is what’s important for me when I serve,” she says.
Sarah also believes in putting it all out there.
“Don’t hold back! We all have our strengths, don’t be afraid to show them! You will be challenged, that’s part of life, but with hard work and positivity, you will achieve your goal,” she says.
With Sarah’s passion, drive, and motivation to achieve her own goals and serve in the community and around the world, we are honored to have her as one of SMU’s Leading Ladies.