Najmo Ahmed has a lot going on. She’s finishing her bachelor’s degree in social and behavioral sciences at the University of Southern Maine, interning at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, and working towards a master’s in public health — all while preparing a commencement address her mother doesn’t even know about. We sat down with the Lewiston native to talk about how she got here, what drives her, and what she wants people to take away from her story.
Dear USM,
Before she takes the stage at commencement, Najmo put pen to paper. Watch her read a letter to the university — in her own words.
Q:
How did you figure out what you wanted to study and what you wanted to do with it?
A:
I came in ready to do political science, but pretty quickly I realized it just wasn’t for me. I wanted something more hands-on — more direct, more personal. I knew I wanted to work with people, especially children. A friend of mine was actually the one who said it first.
She pulled me aside and told me, “I think you’d be really good at social work — you already know how to connect with children, and you’re really good with them.” So I looked into social work — and I seriously considered it. But then I was like, why just look at one career when I can study social sciences and explore multiple different fields? Social and behavioral sciences felt like a broader lens. It would let me go in different directions and figure out where I could really make an impact.
I started interning at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services in September 2025, in the child protective services unit. That internship is really what made everything click for me. I feel like a lot of people think social workers just take children away from their families — but that’s not their goal at all. Their goal is to reunify families. Being part of that work confirmed it for me. I knew I needed to be part of something that was actually working toward change.
Q:
What experiences here at USM have meant the most to you?
A:
At USM specifically, my capstone research project stands out. I spent a lot of time looking at Black maternal health mortality rates, and what I found was really alarming. The rates were significantly higher for Black women. It motivated me to want to do something within policy, to actually advocate for change. That research is a big part of why I decided to pursue a master’s in public health.
Being part of the TRIO program also meant a lot to me. I went to a first-generation student leadership conference at Wellesley College in September 2025, and being in a room full of students who came from similar backgrounds — who didn’t have everything handed to them, but were still so ambitious — that really pushed me. I came back wanting more for myself.
Q:
You were selected as this year’s student commencement speaker — how does it feel, and what’s the message you want to leave people with?
A:
Honestly, I was shocked when I found out. I started writing the speech back in January, just editing and refining it, but I never really thought I’d be chosen. When I found out, I texted my friend immediately — she was screaming. And my mom still doesn’t know. She won’t find out until graduation day.
But the message in my speech is something I really feel like people need to hear right now. I talk about belonging — about what it means to have your place questioned. Growing up in Maine as a Muslim woman, navigating my religion and my culture here, it hasn’t always been easy. People would say things to me thinking they were being kind — like telling me I speak English very well, as if that’s a compliment. But it’s not. You wouldn’t say that to someone who isn’t a minority. It’s the kind of thing that reminds you that some people see you as an outsider, even if this is the only home you’ve ever known.
What I want people to take away is simple: everybody has their own journey, their own struggles. Before you assume anything about someone, take the time to understand them. Talk to them. Try to be kind.
Q:
What’s next for you — and what advice would you give to students who are just getting started?
A:
I’m currently enrolled in a master’s program in public health through USM’s Muskie School of Public Service, which I expect to finish in spring 2027. After that, I plan to continue my work at DHHS for a while, and then eventually move into healthcare administration. Hospitals are really struggling right now, and I feel like there’s a real need for good people in those roles. Wherever I end up, I know I want to be somewhere I can make a difference for communities that need it.
As for advice — I would say, take it one day at a time. You don’t have to rush. Enjoy college, be with your friends, find the balance. And don’t let a bad midterm ruin the rest of your day! Go outside. Get off social media — I’m kidding, sort of. Do something for yourself. Your education matters, but so does everything else happening around it.
Bonus: What have you had on repeat lately?
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