During her time at Dunwoody, Halima Yassin has embraced the values of equity and inclusion, playing a pivotal role in bringing students together following the world -events impacting millions of people in Palestine, Congo, and Sudan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yassin worked with her peers to create a time and space for fellow students to come together and support each other, removing barriers of isolation and creating a sense of inclusion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt felt cathartic to express our pain and grief in a safe space, and I was deeply moved by the courage of my peers. We informed those who might not have known the full extent of the crises occurring worldwide, creating a ripple effect of awareness and understanding,\u201d Yassin wrote about the experience. \u201cThat gathering transformed into a beautiful healing circle \u2014 a moment of connection that my community desperately needed. I was filled with pride as I looked around and saw the support and solidarity among everyone present. We cried together, shared our truths, and forged new bonds over our shared sorrow, finding strength in our unity.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yassin, a Bachelor of Architecture student, received the 2025 Dunwoody Equity & Inclusion Award, which is presented to a student who has shown an exemplary commitment to equity and inclusion through their actions and work at Dunwoody and in the greater community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI had the opportunity to work with Halima a few different times this year,\u201d said Kelli Sattler, Dean of Student Affairs, during the Student Awards Ceremony. \u201cI cannot say enough about her commitment to building community. I appreciate her positive and caring nature and approach to pretty much everything. I believe Dunwoody is a better place because of students like her. Halima is deserving of this award.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The award was an affirmation of support from the college community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am genuinely thrilled that my hard work is being acknowledged in such a meaningful way, and I am inspired to continue striving for positive change in our community,\u201d Yassin said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI’ve come to realize that my feelings and experiences are not isolated; they resonate with those of my peers. By sharing our journeys and supporting each other along the way, we strengthen our bonds.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yassin credits her mother for nurturing her concern for community and inclusivity: \u201cShe instills in me the importance of not just taking up space in the world but also filling it with love and warmth for those around me.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
From a young age, Yassin was creative and especially enjoyed hand-crafting jewelry and sewing her own clothes. A high school arts teacher encouraged her artistic goals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMs. Slice introduced me to the intricate world of jewelry-making and sculpturing, guiding me to express my thoughts and emotions through my hands and craft,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After graduating from Blaine (Minnesota) High School, Yassin looked for a way to use her creative passion to help others. After hearing stories of people of people who immigrated to the U.S., and their struggle to maintain a cultural identity while learning a new language and customs, she came to understand the importance of safe spaces and connection. Intrigued by the concept of the \u201cthird place\u201d \u2014 a public space outside of home and work where people can meet and share traditions \u2014 she recognized that architecture could be a means of creating that environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Working toward this intention in a studio project last fall called \u201cTraditions at the Intersections,\u201d Yassin realized that research and cultural awareness were vital elements of her design process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI envisioned myself as a gatherer, immersing myself in my audience’s world to collect diverse insights and perspectives that would inform my designs,\u201d she said. \u201cI became increasingly aware of the importance of community advocacy, recognizing that my work could be a powerful tool for amplifying the voices and needs of the people around me. My goal is to design spaces that authentically reflect the stories and experiences of the individuals I will serve. I want to create a deep connection and sense of belonging for everyone involved.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yassin is currently the president of the Dunwoody chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS), helping to foster connections with the professional community and provide additional educational opportunities for Dunwoody students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In her free time, Yassin enjoys grabbing matcha with friends, cooking, and working on sewing projects. \u201cI\u2019m also a passionate perfume connoisseur who enjoys immersing myself in different cultures during my travels,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For anyone who is considering a technical education at Dunwoody, \u201cI would encourage them to bet on themselves,\u201d she said. \u201cA significant part of the journey is believing you can succeed and consistently putting in the effort. It’s also crucial to build a solid support system, which isn\u2019t hard to find at Dunwoody.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
During her time at Dunwoody, Halima Yassin has embraced the values of equity and inclusion, playing a pivotal role in bringing students together following the world -events impacting millions of people in Palestine, Congo, and Sudan. Yassin worked with her peers to create a time and space for fellow students to come together and support […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":7427,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[178],"tags":[223,314],"class_list":["post-7424","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-student-news","tag-architecture","tag-dunwoody-college-of-technology"],"yoast_head":"\n