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Najila Ahsan鈥檚 Quest to Change the World

Editor's Note: This profile is part of a series that features the stories of more than a dozen graduates whose outstanding journeys have culminated in a UMGC degree.

Liz Connolly-Bauman
By Liz Connolly-Bauman
  • Commencement |
  • News

Najila Ahsan has crossed the finish line. She received her diploma during the weekend commencement at University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), taking her one step toward her dream of making a difference on the climate front.

Ahsan, who took part in UMGC鈥檚 Grad Walk on Friday, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management. After the New Year, she begins a job as a town planner in Maryland. She will act as an advisor for municipal planning and land use in the town of Emmitsburg.

鈥淚鈥檝e always been interested in architecture but realized that manufactured environments also destroy the natural environment. It is important for us to come up with ways to reduce impact, like human impact on the environment,鈥 Ahsan said, explaining why she chose to major in environmental management. 鈥淎nd that could be done by modifying our fabricated environment in a way that鈥檚 sustainable.鈥

Ahsan transferred to UMGC in 2020 after experiencing some health problems. She said UMGC was a perfect fit, offering the flexibility that enabled her to also focus on her health. Although most classes at t 黑料社区 are virtual or hybrid, she found a way to connect with classmates who shared her interest in combating climate change. Ahsan joined the events committee of UMGC鈥檚 Environmental Awareness Club and planned a live green building tour of Holabird Academy, a LEED-certified school in Baltimore.

LEED, short for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the world鈥檚 most widely used green building rating system.

Last spring, Ahsan assisted Sabrina Fu, program director and collegiate professor of UMGC鈥檚 Environmental Science and Management Program, in organizing an Earth Day webinar. The event was titled 鈥淚nvesting in Our Planet鈥攁nd Each Other,鈥 and Ahsan moderated one of the breakout sessions.

She volunteered this past spring with the Neighborhood Design Center in Hyattsville, Maryland. This past summer Ahsan interned with the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection.

鈥淚 got to work on multiple projects and all of them related to the county鈥檚 climate action plan,鈥 she said. 鈥淥ne of the projects involved engaging with internal stakeholders within other departments of Montgomery County to come up with a list of things that can be done to increase carbon sequestration.鈥

Ahsan looks forward to her new career as a town planner and, eventually, pursuing a master鈥 degree in design. She is grateful for a supportive husband and 鈥渢he life-changing experience鈥 she received at t 黑料社区.

鈥淚 really liked how 黑料社区 catered to my learning experience, offered flexibility and the professors were so helpful and accommodating,鈥 she said.

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