Aaliyah: Making the Most of LINK

For LINK Scholar Aaliyah, being part of LINK means more than attending programs, it means taking every opportunity she can to learn, connect, and put herself out there.

“I was looking for a program that challenged me academically and had a community of people who were like me and looking for the same things.”

Since joining LINK, Aaliyah has become a familiar face at events and opportunities throughout the organization. Whether she is participating in programming, volunteering, or meeting members of the broader LINK community, she continues to look for ways to become more involved.

One experience that especially stood out was LINK’s annual Golf Outing. For Aaliyah, the event gave her the chance to meet donors and better understand the people who invest in LINK. “I got to meet some of the people who fund LINK, talk to them, and understand what they see when they choose to donate to a nonprofit organization.”

Those conversations have also helped Aaliyah think differently about her own future. Through LINK, she says she has gained a stronger sense of what is possible for her academically and professionally. “LINK has shown me that yes, I’m Black and yes, I’m smart, but I also have the same opportunities as anyone else. I can go to college with minimal debt, or none at all, and build a career doing something I’m passionate about.”

Aaliyah has also found inspiration in the relationships she has built with other Scholars. Conversations with friends have helped her recognize the significance of being part of the LINK community and the potential others see in her. “My friends helped me see the bigger picture of LINK. Out of so many students, they chose me and saw the great things I can do.”

That realization continues to motivate her to say yes to new opportunities. A self-described “people person” and fast learner, Aaliyah wants to keep meeting new people, asking questions, and taking advantage of experiences that may only come around once.

Her advice to other Scholars considering getting more involved is simple: “Do it. It may be hard, and you will get busy, but just know this is only the beginning for you and your future career.”

Aaliyah’s involvement is a reminder that sometimes the greatest value of an opportunity comes from simply choosing to show up. By continuing to participate, connect, and challenge herself, she is building experiences and relationships that will help shape where she goes next.