By Ava Burchell, Staff Writer
Nosimat Salami ’24 is currently studying abroad in Egypt, yet her presence on campus remains felt. Salami is a health sciences and public policy double major from Queens, New York. She is passionate about giving back to the community and hopes to incorporate that in her work after graduation. Her double major will allow her to work in global health or public health.
“Taking health science courses has taught me that determination and hard effort are essential if I want to succeed in this profession, and public policy has helped me become a better critical thinker and more open to other perspectives in the politics world,” said Salami.
Salami now calls Gettysburg College her home. In high school, she knew she wanted to attend a small liberal arts institution. Darryl Jones, who used to work as the Senior Associate Director of Admissions, gave a presentation at her summer advising program that piqued Salami’s interest. She appreciated hearing how Gettysburg had become a home for Darryl, as well as the rest of the faculty, staff and students.
“That was most important to me, being able to attend an institution where I can thrive in my academics and extracurricular activities, meet new people and be home for the next four years,” said Salami.
Salami is heavily involved on campus and appreciates how these activities have helped her meet her friends. Salami works as a Career Ambassador at the Center for Career Engagement, as a Multicultural Ambassador for Admissions and as a Residence Assistant and Community Advisor for Residential Education. Additionally, she works as the Mosaic Pre-Orientation Program Coordinator and is a member of the CUB information desk staff.
Nosimat Salami ’24 (Photo Courtesy of Nosimat Salami)
Salami has leadership positions in many clubs across campus. She is the Vice President of the Gettysburg African Student Association and the Program Coordinator for the Muslim Student Association. She also was a track and field athlete during her first year.
Volunteering is integral to Salami’s identity, and she has become involved in the Gettysburg community through her work at the Center for Public Service (CPS) as the “Casa de la Cultura: Healthy Futures” Program Coordinator. Additionally, she taught English as a second language to an Afghan refugee family through a program with public policy professor Dr. Anne Douds.
“Professor Douds is the director of the Gettysburg Refugee Resettlement Partnership, and through this program, local churches, interfaith organizations and community partners collaborate to provide refugee families from all over the world with a new home in the Gettysburg region,” said Salami.
Salami speaks highly of Douds, and she credited her Introduction to Public Policy course as the inspiration to pursue a second major in public policy. She considers Douds a mentor and is immensely grateful for her guidance and support of students’ involvement on campus.
Through CPS, Salami also participated in an immersion trip called Health Care and Education in Costa Rica. It was a natural decision for her to partake in this trip as Salami wants to work as a public health director to provide healthcare to people worldwide and, more specifically, to those with barriers to healthcare access. She said this trip was unforgettable and a great first step into the field she hopes to work in.
“By listening to first-hand stories, engaging our hosts and talking to guides from the region, I found myself encouraged to advocate for policies that improve patients’ general well-being and access to health care,” said Salami.
Salami is studying abroad in Egypt to further her knowledge about global health. She has learned about Egypt’s public health policies and is engaging in the work she is passionate about. Salami said that she is having a fantastic experience abroad and encouraged other students to take advantage of the study abroad opportunities that Gettysburg offers. She praised the Center for Global Education for providing her with resources on what to expect while studying abroad and for helping her with the application process.
Salami is a standout student at Gettysburg College, and her passion for global health shows through her work, immersion projects and study abroad experiences. Her involvement on campus inspires students to join the clubs, activities and employment opportunities that Gettysburg College has to offer.
