From Mauritius to Harlem to Oxford

The Story of Colin Powell Fellow Humaira Hansrod


Humaira HansrodFrom Mauritius to Harlem to Oxford: the Story of Colin Powell Fellow Humaira Hansrod

Born in Mauritius, Humaira Hansrod moved to New York City with her family at a young age. In the midst of such a big change, she welcomed the diversity of the city and the opportunities it offered her to learn about cultures, people, and local and global issues. It was precisely its richly diverse student body that drew Humaira to City College, where she was offered a spot in the Macaulay Honors College. She started as a pre-med student but decided to declare a double major in Economics and Political Science.

“I have long been committed to understanding the causes of poverty and identifying solutions to some of the most pressing issues people face often as a result of poverty,” said Hansrod. “I believe in my responsibility to help shape a different and better world and future.”

Driven by this purpose, Hansrod became a Colin Powell Fellow. After graduation, she won a Fulbright scholarship and is now completing a PhD in International Development at Oxford. She advises future students to reach out to advisors and professors at the Colin Powell School early and often for advice and guidance.
 
Tell us about your background - what’s your story?

I was born in Mauritius, a small tropical island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. After primary school, I moved with my parents to Queens, New York. The diversity of NYC baffled me—it was the first time I had ever been in a place where there were people from almost any corner of the world. But being in a diverse place like NYC was also exhilarating, because it encouraged me to learn about cultures, people, and local and global issues. This upbringing deeply shaped my worldview and helped me find my own story.

Why did you choose CCNY? What brought you to City College?

How I ended up at CCNY was the result of a combination of events. I received a full scholarship, and also the college was not too far from home, which for someone who had never before ventured far meant that I could step out into the world at a slower pace while trying to find my footing and identity as an individual. I knew CCNY was the right place for me when I attended a freshman orientation the summer before starting my undergrad and saw the diversity around me. It was only after leaving CCNY that I realized how much having people who share similar backgrounds and experiences—as minorities and immigrants—was important for me to personally thrive at CCNY.

What is your passion or purpose behind pursuing what you did at City College?

I have long been committed to understanding the causes of poverty and identifying solutions to some of the most pressing issues people face often as a result of poverty. Whether those issues are in job markets, health, education, environment, and so on, I believe in my responsibility to help shape a different and better world and future. My double majors in Economics and Political Science at CCNY provided me with the tools and foundational knowledge to pursue this purpose.  

Briefly, how has your career unfolded? How did City College and/or the Colin Powell School help you to get where you are at in your career?

Like so many new college students, I started out in the premed program because I wanted to go to medical school later. I was however enrolled in the Economics department because that is what I wanted to major in. Somehow, I knew Economics would be my path because I dropped out of the premed program in the first semester. I was part of the Macaulay Honors College, which to me meant there was an added pressure to maintain a high GPA to remain in the program. But without Macaulay, I would not have been able to even afford college. When I applied to the Colin Powell Fellowship Program in my sophomore year, it was because I knew from former Powell fellows that this program would help me better understand how public policy matters. As it turned out, the Powell Program was foundational to not only helping me get a grasp of the significance of public policy but providing me with further financial support and guidance to pursue my own path. 

Do you have any significant memories or accomplishments from your career or time at City College that you would like to talk about?

I used to love going to see Robin Villa, the former director of the Honors Program, to talk about how classes were going and get advice on what to do. Jennifer Lutton was always available to have a quick look at any written piece of an application. Linda Carlson convinced me that I was good enough to apply to national fellowships, and she was the backbone as I applied to and landed a Fulbright research fellowship upon graduating. I am now completing a PhD in International Development at the University of Oxford. Kevin Foster and Daniel DiSalvo, then chairs of the Economics and Political Science Departments, were always there to give me advice and support. While at CCNY, I was part of the Model United Nations course, which I stayed on for four years in various capacities. In Model UN, I was able to channel my passion for international affairs, learn about global issues, and meet people with similar and varied interests from all over the world at conferences. And without the support of Dr. Marina Fernando, former director of the International Studies program, I would have given up very early on Model UN. I also participated in a number of study abroad programs—in Jordan, Morocco, and Egypt—learning Arabic and doing internships. I think it is very important as college students to use this college experience—whether it is studying abroad, learning a new language, doing internships, taking a variety of classes—to build a worldview that aligns with what we want to pursue professionally and personally. My experience at CCNY helped me build that worldview.

Do you have any advice you could give to current or future students?

Take a variety of classes and widen your horizon. You might end up pursuing a field you never thought about because you did not know you would like it. Do an internship and study abroad. Most of us at CCNY (myself included) do not come from privileged backgrounds, or even have close relatives who can advise us on career paths. This is why it is important to ask the people at CCNY for guidance. The professors and mentors I have had at CCNY and the Colin Powell program are the most committed people I have met in higher education—they have a vision for a better society, and because of that they want to see you succeed. Ask for help from your advisors. There may be opportunities you don’t know about that could be the ticket to a breakthrough for you. 

How would you describe CPS in three words?

Life-changing, dedicated, expansive.
 

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