Saphira Augustin

Government & Sociology

College of Arts and Sciences

Class of 2029

I am a first-generation, low-income student from an immigrant family. Like so many of us, I arrived at Cornell without a blueprint, but the FGLI community caught me, guided me, and reminded me that our presence here is worth fighting for. At a moment when that community is under pressure, first-gen students need a representative who understands what is at stake. As a First at Cornell cohort member, my commitment has grown through OADI, QuestBridge, and the FGLI Office. When I am not in class or working, you will find me at Tuesday lunches in OADI, in the FGLI Office, or at our mixers. This community is not just something I advocate for. It is where I live. Beyond campus, I serve through the Ithaca Youth Bureau, Teach for America, NextStep Mental Health, and Beechtree Nursing Home. As your representative, I will fight for access fund expansion, grant alternatives to loans, financial aid and administrative transparency, equitable career support, transportation and move-out assistance, summer storage and housing, a First-Gen Alumni Mentorship Network, and FGLI mental health programming. I will also release weekly feedback forms to bring your concerns to Cornell administration, because representation should be a two-way street.

Shabana Mahdis

Global Development

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Class of 2029

I am running to serve as First-Generation Student Representative because I understand how difficult it can be to navigate Cornell without a clear roadmap. As a first-generation college student and a refugee, I came to the United States with limited guidance about higher education, and I know what it feels like to face unfamiliar systems, search for opportunities, and try to find belonging all at once. At Cornell, I have worked to turn those challenges into service. I have spent long hours volunteering to support refugee families, advocated for girls’ education, and done my best to guide and encourage other first-generation students as they navigate college life. As a CALS Ambassador, I have also represented Cornell, connected with students and families, and helped make the university feel more welcoming and accessible. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to advocacy, community-building, and making sure others do not have to figure everything out alone.

If elected, one of my main priorities will be expanding access to support for first-generation students. Too often, some of the most meaningful early transition, orientation, and community-building opportunities are only available to a limited group of students. While these programs are valuable, support should not feel selective. Many first-generation students, especially international students, are left to navigate Cornell’s academic, social, and professional environment without the same early foundation of guidance and connection. I want to advocate for more inclusive access to first-generation support programs, clearer and more visible information about resources, and stronger spaces for first-gen students to build community and share their experiences. I also want to make sure international first-generation students are included in these conversations, because being first-gen does not look only one way, and our support systems should reflect that.

My goal is to help build a community where first-generation students feel seen, heard, and supported from the moment they arrive on campus. I will listen carefully, represent honestly, and take action on the issues that matter most to our community.