Featured Friar: Fartun Abdulle ’19

by The Cowl Editor on September 4, 2018


Features


by Hannah Langley ’21

Assistant News Editor

One of the defining elements of Providence College student life is involvement in various organizations, clubs, and programs on campus. Fartun Abdulle ’19 is a perfect example, as she has been given the responsibility and privilege of becoming president of the Board of Multi-Cultural Student Affairs (BMSA).

Abdulle joined BMSA at the end of her sophomore year, and she initially did not see herself becoming BMSA president in the future. As her junior year came to a close, Abdulle said, “I saw the rest of my exec board getting ready to transition out, and I knew I was more than ready to take on the responsibility.”

Abdulle is also a leader for Friar Foundations, a five-week summer program designed to make the transition from high school to college life easier for students coming into PC. These weeks consist of classes, workshops, community service opportunities, and social programming, all with the goal of learning “academic responsibility and social assimilation.” 

As a mentor of Friar Foundations, Abdulle works as not only as a tutor, but also a friend to each freshman involved in the program. “The experience is one that I would never give up,” said Abdulle. “I had the pleasure to build such meaningful relationships, and my plan is to still be a resource and friend for all my mentees for the rest of their time here.”

Among other things, Abdulle is a Resident Assistant in Suites Hall and an Orientation Leader. She joined the orientation staff her sophomore year and says that the position is “one of the most memorable and rewarding jobs during [her] time at PC.” Abdulle emphasized her enthusiasm for this role, stating, “the chance to be the first smiling face to a crowd of incoming students is a memory that stays with you forever.” She is also a member of the Motherland Dance Group and the Black Studies Executive Committee.

Abdulle talked about her love for the college and how being involved has “created a new definition of family for [her].” She mentioned how, at the beginning of her freshman year, she was not sure what her future would hold. “I was super aware of my identity as one of the few black Muslim women in my year,” Abdulle stated. 

She also talked about how she is from Lawrence, Massachusetts, where she had little opportunity to receive a higher education. “Coming out to Rhode Island to go to college was a huge stretch for me,” Abdulle said, “[but] I’ve found a home in so many of the professors here.”

As a health policy and management major, Abdulle aspires to receive her Master’s degree in Public Health in Epidemiology once leaving PC. “My hope is that I am going to change the world,” Abdulle stated, “I’m not sure exactly how but all I know is that’s the path I’m going to take.”

Abdulle mentioned her gratitude for all of her experiences at the College. “Having the relationships of my Friar Foundations mentors and future BMSA relationships is what I can wholeheartedly say have kept me here,” she explained.

“Getting involved on campus is a beautiful thing,” Abdulle said, “in the sense that the people you meet aren’t temporary. You still see your OL in Raymond Dining Hall, your spin instructor in class, and even your old civ professor.” Abdulle is looking forward to enjoying her last year at PC and continuing to grow both on an academic and personal level.