University of Minnesota Morris student Asiyah Noujdi ‘26, Minneapolis, has received a 2024 Undergraduate Scholarly Excellence in Equity and Diversity (SEED) Award.
The SEED Awards honor underrepresented undergraduate, graduate, and professional students for their outstanding work in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion while at the University of Minnesota and in the community.
Noujdi was among 10 undergraduate students from throughout the University of Minnesota who received the Sue W. Hancock SEEDs of Change Award at the annual University of Minnesota Equity and Diversity Breakfast on Thursday, Nov. 14. These awards are given to undergraduate students who are committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion through their academic achievement, community outreach and engagement, and leadership. These awards are named in honor of Sue W. Hancock, whose 27-year career of service at the U of M inspired her colleagues and students. Recipients are full-time juniors or seniors pursuing active community engagement while maintaining a minimum 3.0 cumulative G.P.A.
Noujdi also received the Andrews SEED award, which was created by Milton and Danae Andrews to support students demonstrating impressive engagement with and commitment to issues of equity and diversity through outstanding academic achievement and activism. As the recipient of this award, Noujdi was the featured student speaker at the award breakfast.
Noujdi is double majoring in English and French. Her equity and diversity involvement on campus includes community outreach and campus engagement. Noujdi is employed as a Gender/Sexuality Advocate under the LGBTQIA2S+ Program, and serves as the DEI officer for the Morris Campus Student Association (MCSA). Previously, Noujdi served in leadership for MoQSIE (Morris Queer Student Initiative for Equality). As a Muslim student, she planned an Eid celebration to celebrate the Muslim population and advocated for dining services to change the way they organize food.
SEED Award recipients receive an honorarium for their achievements ranging from $3,000 to $5,000.