Sara Alqaragholy is a dedicated activist, devoting her time to helping people. She seeks justice for those without a voice. And she stands in solidarity with individuals in need, working to amplify their plight.

For Alqaragholy, service is an integral part of life.

With NextGen America, a national organization dedicated to engaging young people in their communities and the civic process, Alqaragholy worked to register thousands of youth to vote and discussed their concerns and hopes for our political atmosphere. With Zaman International, a local nonprofit, she’s dedicated to help bring women and children out of poverty through social services and education.

And on campus — and beyond — she strives to help people who are food insecure. 

Alqaragholy is involved in the Food Recovery Network, Gleaners Food Bank of Michigan, the College & University Pantries (CUP) research project and the UM-Dearborn Student Food Pantry. She also serves on UM-Dearborn’s Civic Leadership Board as the Student Food Pantry lead.

“This has been an experience of a lifetime,” Alqaragholy said. “Representing the food pantry and working to feed students, educating my campus about the realities of food insecurity, traveling and meeting professionals and activists in the world of food justice — all while I am still a student.”

Alqaragholy, who plans to attend graduate school, said her dream job is more of a social idea than a corporate title — it’s something that incorporates food justice, learning about global food systems and practices, and engaging with local communities regarding equitable access to food and nutrition.

“We all need food; it should be a human right,” she said. “There are many ways that we can go out and make the world a better place. But not much can be accomplished if we are hungry. So first, we need to feed people.”