From being an undergraduate student studying Biological Sciences to now being a master’s student while teaching, this collegiate demonstrates her passion for science and impacting the lives of young people everyday. She focuses on teaching her students about plants and the importance of fresh produce at Robert Lindbolm Math and Science Academy while keeping up with her love of fashion and art. After meeting her at Chicago Sister Cities International’s Global Youth Summit this past summer as volunteer coordinators, I continue to be amazed at the work she does in the community.
This week’s Campus Profile is the beautfiul and inspiring, Ayesha Qazi!
Basics:
Year: 1st year – Master’s Student
Hometown: Wheeling, Illinois
Birthday: Feb 5th
Heritage: Pashtun
Fun Facts
HC: Favorite place to eat/drink?
El Habanero, Starbucks/Peet’s Coffee/Intellengensia Coffee
HC: Interesting Fact?
I worked at 3 different retail stores within Woodfield Mall during the end of high school until I finished my undergrad at UIC. They were Abercrombie & Fitch, Victoria’s Secret, and Nordstrom.
HC: Favorite hobbies?
Painting, working on any arts & crafts project, reading many books at once (currently reading 7 different books! Whatever mood I’m in, I’ll pick one of the seven and continue on).
HC: Favorite music?
Whatever is trending on Power 92 or WGCI or any jazz music.
HC: Pet peeves?
Any variation of a scenario where males prevent females from moving forward academically or professionally.
HC: What’s on your bucket list?
Mackinac Island (would love to go there again!), Yellowstone National Park, Santorini Islands, the Aurora Borealis, Switzerland, and Spain
HC: Favorite quote?
“Be the change you wish to see in the world”
HC: What would you like to change about yourself?
Better sleep habits. More chocolate. More coffee.
HC: Plans after graduation?
Hoping to become the next Ms. Frizzle. She has been always my favorite science teacher growing up and I hope to have a pet lizard in my future classroom.
HC: Celebrity crush?
BEYONCE AND RIHANNA! They both are uniquely beautiful.
HC: Tell us about your teaching experience so far.
So I am currently at Lindblom Math and Science Academy in Englewood. This school is a selective enrollment school, which means students have to have certain test scores and specified prerequisites completed to enter this school. With students coming from all around Chicago, selective enrollment schools will typically consist of a diverse student body. The students in the school are quite amazing and passionate about their interests. One quality I truly appreciate is that the students are very vocal and honest about their interests – which makes it easy for teachers and staff to help direct those dreams and interests into reality such as field trips, clubs, or after-school or in-school activities.
I will typically get a response from someone who is not fully aware of Chicago history or have “fear of south side” Chicago to be in shock that I am currently there. But as I wrote in my current paper for my master’s class, that place is heavily misunderstood. I coined the term “Misunderstoodwood”.
Misunderstoodwood (Englewood) has a rich history, where the racial demographics of people who were living in that area entirely changed within the years between 1990 and 2000. Additionally, the decline in investments during that time, the lasting effects of Great Depression, closing of major retailers contributed to many infrastructures that were left unfinished, neglected, or foreclosed. Englewood is currently considered a food dessert, which means those who are currently living in this community do not have many options for fresh produce within a few mile radius. A new Whole Foods was just opened on 63rd and Halsted last week in Englewood – and this will help bring more job opportunities and another option for fresh produce for current Englewood residents. This community, like any other community, needs resources and opportunities for their residents – and redirecting of resources back into this area helps the community overall. (Stockwell, 2005)
Stockwell, Clinton. Englewood. Encyclopedia of Chicago. 2005. http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/426.html
HC: Do you have advice for undergraduates at UIC?
I was in your shoes not too long ago. The distractions are everywhere. The amount of negativity and people who will slyly try to stop you from completing your dreams and goals are everywhere as well. Who cares what people think, do whatever you wish to accomplish today, tomorrow, or next year. Join an organization, get involved, or create your own! There are so many benefits of being actively involved on campus. The skills and interactions from your undergraduate year will not only contribute to who you are today, but help establish that experience and expertise that is heavily referenced to professionally. Enjoy every second of it. There are not too many professions where you will encounter this many diverse group of people in one setting everyday