Bridging the gap: Student Guild helps students and administration connect
Hope Reveche
Feb 29, 2024
With a community of over 300 students, Carnegie Mellon University Africa utilizes the Student Guild as a communication channel between the student body and the administration, strengthening CMU-Africa's diverse community through projects including multi-cultural events and understanding the history of Rwanda. Through their work in the Guild, the group of nine students represent the African melting pot at CMU-Africa and serve as ambassadors of diversity.
With a variety of roles included on the team, the Guild builds a collaborative and welcoming community by relaying information to the student population about the administration’s goals and activities outside of the academic calendar while also acting as an everyday go-to contact for their peers. Additionally, they address issues brought to them by other students pertaining to academic and emotional well-being and work closely with the administration to solve them. Between a combination of WhatsApp, email, and open office hours, the Guild keeps both their doors and ears open to everyone.
Through their work in the Guild, the group represent the African melting pot at CMU-Africa and serve as ambassadors of diversity.
"It's an important tool for the students that makes the community environment feel safe. You're allowed to ask questions and have individual views, and you know that there will always be a follow up that ensures you receive a response to what you've asked," says student services officer Mika Inamahoro.
This opportunity also serves as leadership experience for the Guild members. Although the members work closely with the administration, "there are no personal incentives that come with being a member of the Guild," Inamahoro says. "It's a lot of service and sacrifice for the community. The role teaches you how difficult it is to lead a group of people and shows how much patience, time, and repeated explanations you need to be willing to provide."
Every January, a new Guild is sworn in following nominations from their peers and an official election. This year, the recently elected group hopes to "empower Tartans through a supportive environment, creating opportunities for research and a lifelong fellowship that enriches the entire CMU Africa community," says Guild President, Ulrich Ndjodzeka Ndzerem.
"It's an important tool for the students that makes the community environment feel safe," says student services officer Mika Inamahoro.
Some other initiatives the team hopes to carry out include creating a monthly-round up video that summarizes activities on campus, holding a sports tournament with other institutions in Rwanda, and organizing a mentor-mentee program between current and incoming cohorts and alumni.
The full list of the newly-appointed Guild are as follows:
Guild President - Ulrich Ndjodzeka Ndzerem
Guild Vice President - Abdallah Bitunguramye
Auditor General - Samalie Piwan
Academic & Research Minister - Ian Akotey
Communication Minister - Diane Mugunga
International Affairs Minister - Lyria Keriane Nzabampema
