From the president
Salma Rashwan, a fourth year student at the University of Washington in Seattle, is committed to advancing educational equity in rural and tribal communities throughout Washington state. Over the last few years, Salma has developed her own comfort with challenging STEM coursework--and translated that to equitable access work for young people across the state through the Riverways STEM Alternative Spring Break program. She is currently interning to improve this program for future generations of students--both the UW students that lead the programs and the K-12 students that benefit from engaging science education programming! She balances community building, resource sharing, a spirit of service, and deep reflection in her leadership practice!
Personal Statement
I never thought STEM was for someone like me. Growing up, science felt unreachable like something meant for other people. It wasn’t until I was in college, teaching about rockets to a class full of 4th graders in Forks, WA that something clicked. One student came up to me and said, “I didn’t think I could ever be good at this, but I want to learn more.” I saw myself in them. Through Riverways Education Partnerships and STEM ASB, I’ve worked to make education more accessible and joyful for students in rural and underserved communities. I’ve led lessons on rockets and robotics and helped shape inclusive curriculum as an intern. I’ve also seen firsthand how access and belief can transform how a student sees their future. Service has never been a one-way street. It’s changed the way I think about leadership, equity, and who education is really for. I’ve learned that showing up fully, consistently, and with care can shift what’s possible, not just for students, but for me too. As a future educator, I want to continue building those bridges because every student deserves to feel like STEM, college, and their dreams are within reach.