Bayan Jaber believes that equity comes from advocacy.

An international studies student, Jaber made it her mission to serve the Arab community on and off campus. Her most notable achievements? She served as president of the Social Justice League and became a two-time delegate winner of the Michigan Model Arab League competition.  

A leader in her community as well, Jaber worked as the Michigan campaign director of “Yallah Vote!,” a voter engagement campaign, during the 2016 presidential election.

Reflecting on what it means to be a Difference Maker, Jaber said, “If someone has the audacity to believe in themselves and in their visions for the world around them, then they have made a difference.”

In the classroom, Jaber maintained academic excellence, graduating with High Distinction with a 3.73 GPA. She earned University Honors five terms and was named a James B. Angell Scholar. She also cultivated her interest in language by earning the French Discipline Upper Level Excellence Certificate.

“Bayan is a true citizen of the world. She has always been willing to lend a hand whenever there has been a request for volunteers on any campus activity” said Lecturer Deborah Roundtree, who served as Jaber’s supervisor in the Supplemental Instruction program. “Her community involvement, scholarship, work ethic, curiosity, cooperative attitude and organization will help her meet whatever goals she establishes for herself.”

Following graduation, Jaber’s long-term goal is to become a human rights attorney.

“I am inspired by the bravery of my Arab ancestry,” she said, “but hope to help all people facing hardships, whether it be in the United States or abroad.”