Sirazam Munira, a Chemistry concentrator and Course Assistant in LPSA and PS11, has received the Spirit of Harvard College Award from the Harvard College Dean of Students Office Leadership Awards.
In partnership with students and colleagues, the Dean of Students Office (DSO) cultivates engagement, belonging, and respect; fosters an integrated living and learning community; and inspires self-discovery among Harvard College students. The awarded students exemplify the core pillars of the Dean of Students Office – inclusion, collaboration, integrity, and excellence – in their leadership and engagement within our community and the world.
Below is the text of her recognition and a few photos from the ceremony, courtesy of Wyatt Hurt:
As a junior whose campus leadership has transformed both individuals and communities, Sirazam embodies The Spirit of Harvard College. She brings together intellectual rigor (as an AB/SM candidate in Chemistry), empathy, and a deep commitment to making others feel comfortable in communal spaces on this campus. Her work consistently uplifts others, and her example inspires those around her to do the same. As a director of Indigo Peer Counseling, she leads and constantly cultivates a community of peer counselors who can help students on campus that need it most. Her care for others is also showcased in her work as a Wellness Educator at the Center for Wellness and Health Promotion. At the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter, she engages in conversations with homeless individuals, providing the presence, care, and strategies that shelter inhabitants can benefit from. Even in academic spaces, Sirazam finds ways to make students feel like they belong. Whether she’s guiding students through LPSA as a course assistant, tutoring students through organic chemistry at the ARC, or mentoring other peer tutors, she adapts her teaching style to meet each student where they are, always with the belief that everyone deserves to thrive. Sirazam exemplifies the values of the Mission of Harvard College—transformative education, inclusive leadership, and service to others. She doesn’t just talk about her vision of making Harvard a more compassionate place; she acts upon it. Her impact is wide, but the depth of care she brings to each student, guest, or mentee is what sets her apart.
