Student Spotlight | Jamilah Namaganda
Jamilah Namaganda, from Lawrence, MA, is a senior majoring in Nursing with a minor in Public Health. Jamilah is a co-founder of the Black Student Union and a senior RA with Residence Life.
Jamilah Namaganda and other members of BSU
How did you get involved in campus life? What advice would you give to students who haven’t yet found their place on campus?
I got involved with campus life by starting a club I wanted to see on campus and through being a part of Res Life. The advice I would give to students who have not found their place on campus is to go to different events to explore their interests and to be open to learning new things. If you do not find what you like, start it, people who enjoy the same will join you.
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?
I have changed as a leader throughout my time at WSU because I have stepped out of my comfort zone and seen things from different perspectives.
The aspects of my experience that influenced this change the most are the support and always being open to learning.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned when it comes to leadership?
The biggest lesson I have learned about leadership is the importance of empathy. It takes listening to the needs of others, recognizing strengths, and creating a safe space.
What would you say has been your best experience here at WSU?
The best experience I have had at WSU is making lifelong friendships and memories. I will leave knowing that students of color have a space to create memories.
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?
The advice I would give to students who are just beginning to explore the type of leader they are is to gain self-awareness and embrace failure because that is how you grow.
What are your current plans for the next few years?
My plans after graduation are to gain experience as a nurse and travel as much as possible.
