From the president
Berhan Hagezom, a rising sophomore at Saint Mary’s College, demonstrates an unwavering commitment to the public good and a dedication to leading through service, reflection, and action. At Saint Mary’s, Berhan has emerged as a powerful advocate for community health, food justice, and marginalized populations. As a Beyond the Belle Site Leader at Dismas House, a residential
reentry program for formerly incarcerated individuals, she organized weekly volunteer groups and collaborated with program leadership to support resident safety and well-being. On campus, Berhan has served as Food Pantry Manager for the Mother Pauline Food Pantry, ensuring consistent access to essential resources for students experiencing economic hardship. She has also helped uplift the voices of many as a leader on the Student Diversity Board.
Personal Statement
Healthcare and wellness is often not seen on the same level with civic advocacy, however, they are both interconnected when systemic health inequities impact the physical, mental, and social welfare of individuals within marginalized communities. Entering Saint Mary’s College, I was determined to use my experiences to promote underrepresented voices and work with different groups within and outside of the student body campus. Through my position as a Beyond the Belle Site Leader at Dismas House of Indiana, a transition home for returning citizens, I led a group of volunteers to help facilitate meaningful change, whether through cooking dinners or participating in educational events. As a previous Food Pantry Manager at the Mother Pauline Food Pantry, I witnessed the impact of food and toiletry accessibility for students to feel comfortable in taking advantage of, regardless of socioeconomic background. Through being an Inclusivity Committee Chair on the college’s Student Diversity Board, I highlighted different perspectives and backgrounds through leading an international student panel and a lecture on recognizing indigeneity within South Bend. As an aspiring physician-scientist, I hope to create community-led initiatives on making medical devices more accessible to reduce health disparities within underserved communities.