Our Mentors

mentor profiles

Meet the people behind everything we do!

kawsar

Harvard

Class of 2026

History

Co-Founder

What I do for fun:

Thrift, flip through old and used books, spend time with friends, and travel

I’m serious about:

Human rights organizing & activism

My favorite maqal temsil:

At tapquche éshek min.

I feel most Uyghur when...

I listen to stories of my parents’ childhoods; Uyghur children share their ambitions, dreams, and aspirations with me; I plan demonstrations and events with other Uyghur youth.

zilala

Cornell

Class of 2026

Government

Co-Founder

What I do for fun:

I love travel, hiking, art, and creative writing!

I’m serious about:

East Turkestan independence. I dream of one day returning back to the land of our people and of our culture. Free the Uyghurs!!!

My favorite maqal temsil:

Ishligen chishleydu.

I feel most Uyghur when...

I’m dancing! I find so much joy in indulging in Uyghur traditional dance and being able to truly immerse myself in the cultural music with other Uyghurs. It’s a feeling I hold close to my heart.

nigara

MIT

Class of 2023

Chemical Engineering

Co-Founder

What I do for fun:

Tennis and cross-stitch!

I’m serious about:

Combining my interests in STEM and Business to become an entrepreneur. I majored in chemical engineering and will be getting my MBA in a couple of years. I hope to one day be able to be an entrepreneur and have my own clean tech startup or join one early one.

My favorite maqal temsil:

Qagha balam apaq; kirpe balam yumshaq.

I feel most Uyghur when...

I talk with other Uyghurs and relatable shared Uyghur experience and identity are brought up ~ food, music, language.

michael

University of Washington

Class of 2026

Computer Science

Mentor

What I do for fun:

I love hiking, working out, playing basketball, spending time with friends and family, and making cool robots.

I’m serious about:

Fighting against genocide through the means of technology.

My favorite maqal temsil:

Uyquda uyat yoq.

I feel most Uyghur when...

Enjoying a plate full of my mom’s homemade laghman.

iltikin

Carnegie Mellon

Class of 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Co-Founder

What I do for fun:

I love the outdoors: mountain biking, hiking, running, or simply enjoying a nice view.

I’m serious about:

Using technology to preserve Uyghur culture and language.

My favorite maqal temsil:

Awwal oyla andin sözle.

I feel most Uyghur when...

I’m taking steps towards the collective freedom of our Uyghur people with my inspiring peers.

mahliya

Rice

Class of 2026

CogSci, Applied Math

Co-Founder

What I do for fun:

I love reading, listening to music, and yoga!

I’m serious about:

I hope to attend grad school for Cognitive Science (or something adjacent) and potentially go into industry or academia afterward! I still haven't decided so I'm open to anything (except for med school).

My favorite maqal temsil:

Eqil yashta emes, bashta.

I feel most Uyghur when...

I listen to music in Uyghurche with my family; I visit home during the semester and get to taste my mother's cooking; I find myself working with the Rawan team toward our goal of empowering and encouraging Uyghur youth to dream big.

mohammad