Anyone who has met Mena Azzawi knows she is a community leader. She naturally finds herself in leadership positions, taking great interest and care of the people that surround her. “Throughout my time at UM-Dearborn, I’ve been fortunate to take on leadership roles that allowed me to make a tangible impact,” Mena said. In her time here, she’s founded multiple organizations, served as president of several student groups and contributed to research that earned state-wide recognition, all while balancing her job as a medical assistant at an urgent care.

An Honorary Member

Mena is a part of UM-Dearborn’s Honors Program, and one of her first initiatives at the university was creating community among her fellow honors students. Mena founded the Honors Program Student Organization (HPSO) to allow a space for students to connect not only with each other but with faculty and community organizations. Director of the honors program, Anna Muller, said that under Mena’s leadership, “HPSO became a vital part of the program, strengthening communication between students and faculty and fostering a strong sense of collective ownership.”

The idea of collective ownership is integral to Mena’s values. For her, it’s not about being the leading voice in the room; it’s about creating spaces where everyone’s voices are heard and where decisions are made as a group.

As part of her work with HPSO, Mena also co-founded the Community Volunteering Initiative, where students provide need-based services for community parents by directly asking them what they need and providing it, instead of assuming their needs. The Community Volunteering Initiative was a massive success on campus, garnering engagement from over 100 students.

“My involvement across student organizations and community partnered collaborations has shaped how I think about leadership, service and impact,” Mena said. “That experience taught me how to build something sustainable to create systems that last.”

Intentional Initiatives

During her junior year, she hosted monthly fundraisers for a high-impact school supply drive for an under-resourced elementary school in the area. Her goal was to provide students with high-quality school supply kits.

“As an immigrant who grew up understanding financial instability, I understood how stressful back-to-school shopping can be. I understand the pressure of wanting supplies that were ‘fun’ or ‘on-trend,’ while knowing they were often unaffordable for underserved families,” she said. “Now, as a college student with more resources and agency, I felt a responsibility to support those families navigating those challenges.”

To raise money, she hosted monthly bake sales and steadily raised enough to reach her goal. From there, Mena reached out to the school administrators in underserved communities to understand what tools were needed in their classrooms, which led to a collaboration with Hicks Elementary.

After some concerted team planning, HPSO decided on the idea of a “build-a-backpack station,” where students could have autonomy over what they received by choosing their own backpacks, hygiene products, pencil cases and supplies.

“Allowing space for the students to create identity and personalization of their bags was foundational for our setup,” Mena said. “By the end, we supplied over 400 students with brand-new, personalized school supplies. It was deeply fulfilling to watch a year of persistent effort translate into something tangible, dignified and joyful for an entire school community.”

A Compassionate Physician

In addition to her community work, Mena is pursuing a career in the medical field. Currently a biological sciences major, her focus is on the intersection between public health and health equity.

Her research experience with Michigan Medicine, specifically in radiation oncology, was a big eye-opener. “What stood out to me was how small inefficiencies in documentation could translate into real risks for patients,” Mena said. “It shifted my perspective. I began to see how data, when used well, becomes a form of advocacy.”

Mena says her goal is to become a physician who not only treats patients, but also works to address the upstream factors that determine health before someone ever enters a clinic.

Reflections on Leadership

Throughout her years as an undergraduate student, Mena has made her mark on the UM-Dearborn community. She created inclusive spaces, listened without judgment and provided resources for others. She has made and will continue to make a long-lasting difference.

“I’ve learned how to lead with intention,” Mena said. “Whether in research, service or student organizations, I’ve been given the space to try, fail, adjust and grow. That process has shaped me into someone who advocates without fear.”