MIW alum Ghada Alkiek (Fall 2011 Cohort) was selected as the commencement speaker for the December 16 ceremony at the University of Michigan Flint Campus.  Her internship was at the Women's National Democratic Club, and she did a research paper on Women in Lobbying.  

Ghada stressed the importance of connections and community in her speech.  As an Arab American, she told the story of her grandparents coming to the United States and how they taught their children and grandchildren that being American means being involved in every issue. She talked about the blossoming of the Flint campus since she enrolled as a freshman and stressed the importance of community involvement as a student and throughout life.  Ghada closed with a tribute to the Wolverine family, stressing that graduating students will find Michigan colleagues to share their journey in every corner of the globe.  

Ghada is currently working for Congressman Dan Kildee (MI 5) in the DC office, and plans to pursue a Master's in Public Policy.