Spring — 2005

Tasneem Noor

Associated Students Director of Student Services

“Coming to SMC opened so many doors and opportunities. I mean, I never imagined I would become an elected officer. It was shocking!”

In her third year at SMC, Tasneem Noor was feeling the rosy glow of satisfaction over an event she’d just helped to produce. “We put on a Campus Resource Fair to get the word out to everyone about all the incredible resources and programs at SMC. I had a great team from the AS working with me, and it was a huge success that made me very happy,” says Tasneem. But for her, making success happen for other SMC students is all in a day’s work.

“I’m the liaison between various organizations—ranging from the bookstore to the African American Coalition to the Women’s Center—so I’m all over the place!” she says with a laugh. “The American system—and SMC in particular—is very encouraging about education,” says Tasneem, who is from Pakistan. “I say ‘encouraging’ because you’re allowed to explore, find yourself, and take advantage of as many opportunities as you can. And I’m very much a ‘people person,’” she adds. “I avoid politics and just look at people’s hearts and minds. So my position in the AS is a beautiful fit.”

Tasneem reports that there are stark differences—and similarities—between her native land and America. “So many people seem to think that Pakistan is some religiously backward country, and they’re surprised to learn that we have cinemas and theaters, and everything’s modern,” she says. “But what I love most about it is the people. You’ll see a lady covered head to toe in a veil walking with a young girl in jeans and a T-shirt. And there’s a lot of religious freedom,” she adds. “The Muslim religion doesn’t put women down. It protects them. And it gives you a strong basis on which to make decisions. All religions, I think, only want to teach the basic values that humanity needs to live by.”

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