Emily Assef is a junior at American University in Washington, DC, where she is studying Sociology and Education. Though not an immigrant herself, Emily comes from a family of immigrants from several different places like Egypt, Pakistan, and Germany. As a high school student, Emily participated in multiple mission trips led by her hometown church in Wilton, Connecticut, engaging in projects aimed at helping those in need. During her senior year internship in high school, she volunteered at DREAM Charter School in Harlem, New York, where she worked directly with kindergarten students from many different backgrounds. This experience helped her understand the ways that she can be a role-model for students who may otherwise not have one. After graduation, Emily aspires to work in an education-related field and become involved in eliminating barriers that prevent certain students from accessing an equitable education.