Graduate Student Inspires Fellow Chargers with Passion for Leadership

When Amina Almoustafa ’24 M.S. took a “Leadership and Team Building” class with Mo Cayer, Ph.D., last year, she had what she calls a “transformative” experience. She helped Dr. Cayer create a similarly impactful experience for students taking the course this semester.

A candidate in the University’s graduate program in human resources, Almoustafa recently returned to the class as a guest speaker. Dr. Cayer and Almoustafa used a powerful 60 Minutes video about SOLA – the School of Leadership Afghanistan – to teach a compelling and memorable lesson about leadership, courage, and the power of vision and purpose. The school is dedicated to educating Afghan girls and fostering gender equality.

“As a guest speaker in the class, I found that the experience was not just a moment of appreciation and empowerment but a testament to the ongoing learning and growth that commitment brings,” said Almoustafa. “It underscored the idea that dedication to one's goals opens doors for continuous impactful contributions.”

‘These skills…go beyond the classroom’

Almoustafa narrated the video about Shabana Basij-Rasikh, an Afghan educator and co-founder of SOLA. It shared Basij-Rasikh’s experiences in the country that was controlled by the Taliban and highlighted her resilience. As a former educator and the founder of a tutoring center in Lebanon, this mission was personal for Almoustafa. She was excited to share her experience, passion, and important lessons with her fellow Chargers.

Almoustafa asked students thought-provoking questions, encouraging them to reflect on SOLA’s vision. She also asked them how the challenges they’ve faced in their own lives enabled them to become more resilient, and to consider Basij-Rasikh’s leadership qualities – as well as their own.

“My message to students emphasized not only the power of participation but the courage to speak up, and the importance of dreaming big and being true to oneself,” said Almoustafa, a peer tutoring coordinator for the University’s Center for Learning Resources. “I also highlighted the significance of adaptability, critical thinking, and effective communication. These skills, cultivated in the University’s human resources program, go beyond the classroom, preparing me for the dynamic challenges of the professional world.”

‘A deep learning experience’

Almoustafa’s message, as well as Basij-Rasikh’s story, resonated with the students in the class. Logan Dumas ’24, a music and sound recording major, says he appreciated what Almoustafa brought to the discussion.

“This class session really made what we learned in class and in the textbook jump off the pages,” he said. “Because we connected it to real-life experiences, that helped my classmates and me understand key leadership topics. Learning through storytelling or having a fellow peer share their experiences helps a lot. Amina’s story especially added to our learning because she took this class before and some of her classmates were in my class. That made these leadership topics real.”

Dumas’s classmate Samreen Shakeel Ahmed Sonde ’25 M.S., says the story about SOLA, as well as Almoustafa’s own story, added an emotional layer to the narrative, fostering a deeper understanding of the complexities of leadership – in particular, during challenging situations.

“Amina's story served as a living example of how leadership is not confined to theories but is a lived experience,” said Sonde, a candidate in the University’s graduate program in human resources. “It is shaped by challenges, decisions, and the ability to rally others toward a common goal. In essence, Amina's comments added a practical, relatable, and inspiring layer to the theoretical concepts discussed in class, enriching the overall understanding of leadership among the students.”

Dr. Cayer was grateful that Almoustafa shared her story as part of the class. He says she was a “strong student” in the class last year.

“Amina shared her own leadership journey which included starting a tutoring educational program for disadvantaged youth while she was living in Lebanon,” said Dr. Cayer, coordinator of the M.S. in Human Resources program. “She was very credible. It was a deep learning experience for students in our leadership class.”

‘One can truly make a positive impact’

For Almoustafa, speaking to the class was an opportunity to give back to the program that has already given her so much. She says she’s grateful for the skillset she’s already developed, as well as for the unwavering support of faculty such as Dr. Cayer. She believes her experience in the program has been both emotionally and academically fulfilling.

“Dr. Cayer and the University faculty made me feel welcomed, heard, and included, creating an environment where learning transcended the syllabus,” Almoustafa said. “Their ability to facilitate materials in the best way possible not only enhanced my understanding but also fostered a genuine sense of gratitude for the quality of education provided.

“The program's emphasis on strategic thinking, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills has not only prepared me comprehensively for success but has also instilled the belief that, with dedication, one can truly make a positive impact,” she continued. “The diverse insights and stories shared in class are a testament to an inclusive and supportive academic community.”