RIT Student Government president outlines ambitious plans to improve student health, dining, academics and campus life

Rochester, New York – Yasmine Ibrahim entered her new role as president of Rochester Institute of Technology’s Student Government with a clear idea of what she wants to accomplish. After serving as the organization’s director of finance last year, she saw firsthand some of the challenges students face and learned how student leaders can work with the university to address them.

That experience helped push Ibrahim toward a larger leadership role. Rather than simply observing problems, she wanted to have a stronger voice in finding solutions and making changes that students could see in their daily lives.

“It motivated me to pursue a larger leadership role where I can help drive broader improvements across campus,” she said.

Ibrahim, a fourth-year health sciences, innovation and management major in RIT’s School of Individualized Study, ran for president with the goal of making student concerns a central part of the organization’s work. She was elected alongside Vice President Nkodia Ndongala, and the two are now preparing to focus on issues ranging from health and dining to career opportunities, transportation and student organizations.

“I want to improve dining by expanding nutritious options, increasing accommodations for students with dietary restrictions, and improving food accessibility to fruits and vegetables and expanding options for vegan/kosher/halal/gluten-free students,” Ibrahim said. “I want to expand access to health and wellness resources, including mental health services and disability accommodations, while improving communication between students and administration.”

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Student Government represents more than 16,000 undergraduate and graduate students at RIT’s Henrietta campus. Its responsibilities include advocating for students, working with university leaders and helping improve campus services and the experience of student organizations.

For Ibrahim, improving student well-being is one of the most important parts of that mission.

Dining is one area where she hopes students will notice progress. Her priorities include making nutritious food easier to find, improving accommodations for students with dietary restrictions and expanding access to fruits and vegetables. She also wants to see more choices for students who follow vegan, kosher, halal or gluten-free diets.

Health and wellness are another major part of her platform. Ibrahim wants students to have better access to mental health resources and disability accommodations. She also sees communication between students and university administrators as an area that can be strengthened, particularly when students have concerns that require institutional action.

Her agenda extends beyond basic campus services. Ibrahim wants RIT colleges to do more to showcase student accomplishments, including projects, research and exceptional class work. She has proposed creating summaries of this work that could be printed and promoted in academic journals.

Career opportunities are also a priority, especially for international students. Ibrahim wants to increase their access to career fairs and expand academic and co-op opportunities for students who may be looking beyond traditional paths.

“I plan to advocate for academic and co-op opportunities, particularly for international students and students seeking interdisciplinary or entrepreneurial experiences,” she said.

Another issue she wants to address is access to testing accommodations. Ibrahim has called for an expansion of the Disabilities Services Office test center, with the goal of reducing wait times and providing better accommodations for students who need them.

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Transportation is part of her broader vision as well. She wants to strengthen connections between RIT and the greater Rochester area by improving the shuttle system and continuing ROC-the-Block weekend shuttles. The goal is to make it easier for students to participate in activities and access opportunities beyond campus.

Student life will remain a central part of the administration Ibrahim and Ndongala hope to build. The pair plans to increase cooperation between colleges, promote student achievements and create more opportunities for students to connect with campus resources and funding.

They also want to improve support for intramural sports and the more than 300 student clubs and organizations at RIT. For Ibrahim, those groups are not simply extracurricular activities. They are an important way for students to find friends, develop interests and become part of the larger university community.

“One of the things I value most about RIT is its vibrant club environment and the opportunities students have to build communities around their niche interests,” she said.

Ibrahim’s own experience reflects that belief. Outside Student Government, she has participated in the Beekeepers Club, the School of Individualized Study Student Advisory Board, the RIT Association of Middle Eastern and North African Students, the RIT Muslim Students Association, the Pre-Health Society, the Plant and Soil Club and Tennis Club.

Her involvement in such a wide range of organizations has given her an opportunity to interact with students from different backgrounds and understand that campus priorities can vary significantly from one community to another.

“Being involved in campus organizations has been one of the most rewarding parts of my RIT experience,” she said. “They have allowed me to meet students from different backgrounds, understand the unique needs of different communities on campus, and appreciate how important student organizations are to the overall RIT experience.”

Ibrahim will not be entering the new administration without a familiar partner by her side. She and Ndongala have known each other since elementary school and grew up on the same street in Irondequoit, a Rochester suburb.

Their long friendship is something Ibrahim believes will help them navigate the demands of student leadership. They have already shared many stages of life, from school lunches and proms to difficult classes and graduations.

“We’ve both survived and outlived school lunches, proms and balls, evil exes, messy friend group drama, hard classes, and both of our eventual graduations,” she said. “No different from the rest of life, high school and university are tough, and each stage has offered a unique set of difficulties as well as opportunities for growth. I’m fortunate to have someone that’s seen and been there through all the growing pains, and has encouraged, believed in, and challenged me into the person I am today.”

With that history behind them, Ibrahim and Ndongala are beginning their year with a broad list of priorities. Their plans touch many parts of campus life, from food and health services to transportation, academics, careers, clubs and student activities.

The challenge now will be turning those priorities into measurable improvements. For Ibrahim, the central goal is straightforward: students should be heard, and their concerns should lead to changes they can actually experience across campus.