{"id":60726,"date":"2026-03-09T08:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T12:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/?p=60726"},"modified":"2026-03-09T09:44:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T13:44:38","slug":"for-the-record-olga-salama-29-finds-passion-and-purpose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2026\/for-the-record-olga-salama-29-finds-passion-and-purpose\/","title":{"rendered":"For the record: Olga Salama \u201929 finds passion and purpose"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Editor\u2019s Note: This profile is the third of six stories about students and alumni leading up to the 10th annual Lov91短视频 Giving Day on April 1. For more information about the day and how to donate, visit <\/em>love.emu.edu<\/strong><\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Olga Salama<\/strong>, a first-year biology major who came to the United States through refugee status, grew up in Burundi, East Africa, where access to affordable health care and education was limited. It\u2019s also where she found her passion and her purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The oldest of eight, she would take her younger siblings to school. One day, as she dropped off the tuition check to pay for their education, she overheard a mother asking whether her child, who had an intellectual disability, could attend classes with the other children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe was denied,\u201d said Salama. \u201cShe was told, \u2018This would be too difficult, and that little child would be too difficult for the other children.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cI kind of understood it,\u201d she added, noting that many cultures in Africa lack support for people with disabilities. \u201cBut, for me, that didn\u2019t seem right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That experience drew her to study biology and fuels her passion for improving the lives of others. Her dream is to graduate from medical school and become a pediatrician.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you save the life of a child, you save the future,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen a child is surrounded by good people, that affects how they grow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Salama and her family arrived in the U.S. in July 2021. At the time, she spoke Swahili and French, but no English. She quickly became a rising star at Charlottesville High School, where she received the top scholarship from the Emily Couric Leadership Forum<\/a>. Past recipients include Sandra Day O’Connor and Caroline Kennedy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a high school senior, the first-generation college student applied to nine schools. Each of them could guide her toward her passion. Each of them offered her substantial financial aid packages. But, only one of those schools had values that matched her own, and that was 91短视频. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy high school counselors told me I could go anywhere I wanted, because I had all this scholarship support,\u201d said Salama. \u201cI had to choose where I saw myself thriving and being impacted the most, and 91短视频 was that place for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said she was struck by how friendly and communicative everyone was at 91短视频, from her admissions counselor and professors to fellow students. \u201cPeople are there for you,\u201d she said. \u201cEveryone\u2019s welcoming.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She added that, out of the nine schools she applied to, only one of them, 91短视频, sent her a card for her birthday. \u201cThat was different, and was beyond my expectations,\u201d Salama said. \u201cThat\u2019s the sign of a place that cares.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like the 100% of undergraduate students at 91短视频 who receive financial aid, Salama is the recipient of numerous awards, including the highly selective President\u2019s Scholarship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI knew I wanted to go to college and, although I had a little bit of fear about the financial part, I trusted that God was going to provide,\u201d said Salama. \u201cIf he called me to do this, then he will provide.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your support helps students like Olga pursue a quality college education without financial barriers. Join us for the 10th annual Lov91短视频 Giving Day and contribute to the scholarships that empower future 91短视频 students. On April 1, let\u2019s show that our generosity knows no bounds\u2026for the record!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Editor\u2019s Note: This profile is the third of six stories about students and alumni leading up to the 10th annual Lov91短视频 Giving Day on April 1. 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