Student Spotlight | Ansha Khan
Ansha Khan, from Whitinsville, is a junior majoring in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences. Ansha is the President of the Muslim Student Association and a member of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA).
Ansha Khan
How did you get involved in campus life? What advice would you give to students who haven’t yet found their place on campus?
The way I got involved was I just quite literally showed up to different club meetings. I started getting involved in NSSLHA when I heard students in class talking about going to the meetings. I got involved in MSA because I am passionate about it. I did go to other club meetings but they just weren’t for me and that’s okay.
My best recommendation would be to check through all of the clubs/ organizations available on campus and choose which ones pique your interest. These clubs may relate to your major, your passions, or could be random and you found them curious. Just make it apparent to go to the meeting and try it out. I took a defense class my freshman year and it was so much fun. Choose different interests and step out of your comfort zone.
How do you think you’ve changed as a leader throughout your time at WSU, and what aspects of your experience most influenced this change?
Without a doubt, my trust in myself and my self-confidence have grown tremendously. I used to believe that I wouldn’t succeed, that everything would fail, that I wouldn’t be able to do it, etc., when I initially started in my leadership role. But as time went on I started to change and realize my abilities and skills. My e-board definitely helped influence this change by lifting me up and continuously encouraging me to keep going.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned when it comes to leadership?
The most important thing I’ve learned about leadership is that asking questions is better than assuming. Help is always there if you need it. Another big lesson I learned was to have faith in myself and be proud of my accomplishments.
What would you say has been your best experience here at WSU?
My first Ramadan Iftar Dinner was the highlight of my time at WSU at this point. I genuinely wouldn’t have known my best friends the way I do now if it weren’t for that night, when I first met and grew close to them. That night held an abundance of memories as we, a Muslim community, got to come together like this in faith.
What advice would you give to students who are just beginning to explore the type of leader, or the type of person, they hope to become?
Not giving up is the most important piece of advice I would tell students who are just starting to consider their leadership role. I know it sounds cliche, but if you want to be a leader or it’s who you are, don’t give up on it. There will be moments when you feel overburdened but don’t shy away from asking for help, it will always be there. One step at a time is the best approach.
What are your current plans for the next few years?
I hope to continue my education here at Worcester State and get into the 4+1 Speech-Language Pathology Master’s program this upcoming April. After that, I plan to take my board examinations and obtain clinical certification in order to work as a registered speech-language pathologist.
Members of MSA at their annual Iftar dinner.
