Junior Sayidcali Ahmed Accepted to Prestigious Junior Summer Institute at Princeton University

Westminster College is pleased to announce that Sayidcali Ahmed, ’23 ΦΔΘ, has been accepted to the Junior Summer Institute with Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs in Princeton, NJ.

Established in 1985, the Junior Summer Institute is designed to promote democracy by accepting the brightest students worldwide from diverse backgrounds and a wide range of interests, with the ultimate goal of encouraging careers in public policy.

Ahmed is a Political Science and Global & Transnational Studies double major from Hargeisa, Somaliland. He says he is honored to be accepted into the Junior Summer Institute.

“Being accepted was a memorable and exciting moment during which I felt happy and proud of myself,” Ahmed reflects, “especially considering the fact that many junior college students from all over the world were applying to the program.”

Dr. Tobias T. Gibson, the Dr. John Langton Professor of Legal Studies and Political Science, says Ahmed will excel at the Summer Institute.

“Sayidcali is a wonderful student whose work ethic is noteworthy,” Gibson says. “He is curious, asks great questions, and other students benefit from his insights. He will fit well with other students this summer at Princeton.”

Gibson adds that Ahmed’s acceptance also reflects well on Westminster College. “Sayidcali has taken advantage of everything that Westminster offers. The collection of classes that he has taken thus far are rigorous, wide ranging, and have provided a foundation that will help to ensure his success well into his future,” he says.

The Summer Institute is a rigorous academic program that takes place May 27 through July 8. The program focuses on critical thinking, quantitative analysis, and written and oral communication while exposing students to domestic and international public policy.

Students are connected with public policy makers and managers in leadership positions throughout government, non-profit organizations, international organizations, and other institutions.

After attending the institute and graduating from Westminster, Ahmed plans to pursue a career in public policy or practice international law and diplomacy.

He says he hopes the Summer Institute will help him connect with the program’s alumni network of more than 4,000 leaders who provide mentoring, career development opportunities, and graduate school connections.

Leading up to the Summer Institute, Ahmed will remain extremely busy on campus. He works for the senate of the Student Government Association and as treasurer of the Global Development and Progress Club. He also is a member of the Black Student Association, International Students Club, and Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Additionally, Ahmed serves as a resident advisor and math tutor.

“I am so appreciative of all my professors who helped me every step of the way, and I would like to thank personally Dr. Jeremy Straughn and Dr. Holzer for their support and in writing me a letter of recommendation during my application process,” Ahmed says. “I firmly believe many of the skills I gained here at Westminster College helped me be received in this competitive and rigorous program.”