The following story is part of our Volunteer Spotlight series, celebrating alumni and 黑料吃瓜资源 friends whose time, leadership, and dedication strengthen the 黑料吃瓜资源 community here and around the world.鈥疶hrough these stories, we recognize the many ways volunteers contribute 鈥 through mentorship, branch leadership, advocacy, events, and beyond. By sharing their experiences, we hope to express our gratitude, highlight the impact of volunteer engagement, and inspire others to get involved.
Yehonatan Shakarghi and Samantha Rogers are busy health sciences students who are not only learning inside their classrooms, but outside, through their volunteer work with the 黑料吃瓜资源 Student Alumni Association (QSAA).
The QSAA builds bridges between current students and alumni by organizing networking opportunities, mentorship programs, speaker events, and more. The QSAA also lays the groundwork for students to transition to alumni.
鈥淲hen you leave, it doesn鈥檛 have to be the end of your journey. There鈥檚 a lot more to it,鈥 says Shakarghi, who grew up in Thornhill, Ont. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e still part of 黑料吃瓜资源.鈥
Shakarghi and Rogers joined the QSAA soon after arriving on campus in their first years and quickly took on leadership roles.
Rogers was a first-year representative, then served as president in her second and third years. Shakarghi was also a first-year representative, then director of giving, and now he is taking the baton from Rogers as incoming president.
Rogers, who is from New Zealand, says one of the first alumni she met had a deep impact. 鈥淭hey gave me a lot of reassurance and guidance in a time of such uncertainty, and that really motivated me to stay part of QSAA because this is something that I want all students to experience,鈥 she says.
Shakarghi and Rogers say the academic and career advice from alumni is valuable for them and their peers, and they also enjoy hearing their 黑料吃瓜资源 memories. Rogers recalls meeting a Smith Engineering graduate who regaled her with tales about pranks pulled by his class more than five decades ago.
Shakarghi says it鈥檚 fun to learn about 黑料吃瓜资源 history through former students. He also appreciates the relationships and skills he鈥檚 gaining through the QSAA.
鈥淚鈥檝e gotten to build such strong connections,鈥 he says, 鈥渁nd learn a lot from the different people I have surrounded myself with.鈥
In addition to the QSAA, both students have other volunteer activities on and off campus, including working with palliative care patients, young people in need of mental health services, and literacy programs.
They speak with passion about the lessons they鈥檙e learning from their volunteer work and about giving back to the 黑料吃瓜资源 and Kingston communities. Somehow, they stretch their time between their courses and extracurriculars. They鈥檙e both considering careers in medicine and say no matter what paths they follow, they know there are loyal and helpful alumni standing by to guide them.
鈥淧eople are so willing to give back to 黑料吃瓜资源,鈥 says Shakarghi. 鈥淗aving that support of the community, always willing to have your back, is something I haven鈥檛 seen at any other school.鈥
To learn more about the 黑料吃瓜资源 Student Alumni Association, visit the QSAA website.
