Shaza Alzaim, University of Massachusetts Boston

Shaza Alzaim, a junior in the Honors Program and a political science and philosophy double major at the University of Massachusetts Boston, is passionate about approaching root causes of social inequities through policy change and legal aid. She has focused on health care and education issues in many political and community capacities because of her belief that these are universal rights affecting all people. Shaza’s consistent commitment has flourished through her initial volunteer work with Best Buddies, and onto several internships at the Mayor’s Office in Braintree, the Massachusetts State House, and in the Office of former Senator John Kerry. Perhaps the most courageous civic commitment that Shaza made was to run for school committee in Braintree in 2011. She also believes that a strong academic record obligates one to serve the needs of others, organizing a group to participate in American Cancer Society’s fundraisers, and most recently establishing a group of honors students to fundraise for and participate in a local Hospice Walk. Grounded in her belief that any person can make change happen, Shaza will undoubtedly carry this into her career in politics or law and find significant ways to contribute to solving society’s most pressing problems.