Little did Jean Phillip (J.P.) Shami ‘11 know how insightful his service as a University Housing resident assistant would be. “I learned so much about how people who don’t know each other come together and form friendships,” said Shami, the Board’s student representative and a former Leadership Award Scholar. “And I had to think, ‘how do I get them involved elsewhere on campus?’”

Shami has also served as treasurer of the Lebanese Student Association, as American Red Cross Blood Services co-coordinator on campus, and as student body senator. “Each of these experiences has taught me valuable lessons about the impact a smaller group can have on a larger group,” he said.

Shami, a 21-year-old from Texas, says he’d like to get more students involved in CAA’s programs. He plans to graduate next fall with degrees in political economy and Near Eastern studies, and hopes to go to law school.