Maize & Blue Distinguished Scholar Azeim learned to get comfortable with being uncomfortable

Like many high school students during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lina Azeim felt somewhat isolated upon graduation.

"High school during COVID felt like a blur — disconnected and uncertain. It left me struggling to find direction or a clear sense of purpose, but that uncertainty eventually pushed me to think more deeply about what I really wanted in the next chapter of my life," said the Maize & Blue Distinguished Scholar and political science major from Flint. "My sister was at the Ann Arbor campus, so I applied there and at a few other colleges. However, when I toured the University of Michigan-Flint, I resonated strongly with the campus culture, particularly its smaller class sizes and tight-knit community. I knew I needed that kind of support to be successful."

Azeim had experienced many restrictions and limitations previously in education, as much of her high school experience was conducted online. 

"I wanted to do everything that I could to challenge myself, because I knew that would help me grow. I wanted to truly maximize my experience at UM-Flint," Azeim said. "I got involved in Student Government not just because I had an interest in it, but because I simply wanted to be involved in something, to see how far the experience could take me. I served in various roles throughout the year, including senator, chief of staff, and ultimately as the 2023-24 president. That experience showed me how advocacy can shape your environment and how it impacts those around you. Seeing the improvements we've made on campus throughout the past four years has helped me build a lot of confidence, and it's been a special opportunity to make my mark on this place that has become a second home to me."

Working with Julie Snyder, associate vice chancellor and dean of students, was a highlight of Azeim's experience in Student Government. "Julie is the advisor for Student Government, and even though she's extremely busy, she was always there for us," said Azeim. "She truly values the student voice on campus, and you know that she is someone who is dedicated to your growth as a leader. She helped me thrive."

"Lina embodies the values and qualities we aspire to see in a UM-Flint graduate. She consistently exceeded every expectation I had for her, going above and beyond in her service to our campus. She is a transformative leader committed to making a positive impact in the world. Her dedication, resilience, and passion have significantly shaped the student experience at UM-Flint," Snyder said. "In essence, Lina is the embodiment of the Maize & Blue Distinguished Scholar Award. She is a leader who is destined to uplift and inspire others. I do not doubt that she will continue to display the values of servant leadership for the betterment of us all."

As Azeim explored opportunities at UM-Flint and took general studies classes, she took a political science class that crystallized her focus.

"When I was younger, I enjoyed social studies and government classes, but I didn't know how learning about that type of subject could become a career," said Azeim. "That changed when I took a comparative politics class with Derwin Munroe, followed by civil liberties in my sophomore year. Those classes helped me realize that there are entire fields — law, policy, advocacy — in which I could apply what I was learning. That's when it all came together for me."

Azeim expanded her extracurricular activities to include Moot Court, the Pre-Law Society, and the African Student Association. "Being part of these organizations lets you grow different parts of yourself. In Student Government, I gained a deeper understanding of advocacy. In pre-law and Moot Court, I learned how to become a resource for other students and how to develop myself into a more competitive law school applicant. With the ASA, I was able to not only connect with my Sudanese culture but also share that knowledge about African culture with other students, and through that, engage more deeply with my roots. UM-Flint enabled me to nurture different parts of myself," Azeim said.

Another faculty member who has helped shape Azeim's journey is Kimberly Saks, assistant professor of political science and Moot Court advisor. "Professor Saks is dedicated to making sure her students are engaged outside of the classroom, and to our growth as individual students. I loved that she approaches her work with us from a mentoring or coaching perspective, so that when one of us might present an argument we were struggling with, she'd bring us all into the discussion, basically curating the content for us, so that we could each connect with what the one student might be struggling with. So it always felt very inclusive," said Azeim. "She's also heavily involved in the community herself, so you can see how what we're studying and the work we're interested in can be applied in the real world. She showed us how to be citizens and encouraged us to engage too."

"Having Lina as a student has been a joy for me and my colleagues. She's the kind of person who comes in with strong values and a solid intellect, building her knowledge piece by piece through intentional experiences and coursework," Saks said. "She has pushed herself in a variety of courses and activities such as Moot Court. She is a principled individual with a curious mind that will take her to amazing places."

In terms of her future after UM-Flint? Azeim is eyeing law school — but not quite yet. "I'm working as an advocacy specialist at the Arab American Heritage Council, and it's given me insight into how the law intersects with so many areas of our lives. I'm focused on policy priorities for underrepresented groups, and being able to do this kind of work would not have been possible without my experiences at UM-Flint," said Azeim. "I built all my skills — communication, collaboration, mentorship, leadership, and problem solving — by being involved on campus. I also had the opportunity to conduct research with the Urban Institute for Racial, Environmental, and Economic Justice while participating in mentorship programs for middle school girls with the YWCA in Flint, which helped me develop my research, community-building and public speaking skills, all of which give me the confidence to do the work I'm doing at the AAHC each day."

Azeim doesn't just see her Maize & Blue Distinguished Scholar award as a resume builder. Though she does consider it an honor, Azeim ultimately views the recognition as "a reflection of her college journey."

"I see the award as a reminder that I challenged myself to get the most out of my time here. College is where you can experiment, explore, and fail, learning from each experience and emerging stronger with more knowledge and a deeper understanding of yourself. The accolades I've received are just a testament to the incredible opportunities I've had to grow through serving my community," Azeim said. "I learned how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, and if I have any advice, it's this: The grass may look greener somewhere else, but it's truly greener where you water it."