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Like so many community builders, Mariam Sharaf’s most powerful tool is empathy. Her ability to see the needs of others and take action has empowered many and opened spaces for those who may not have previously felt welcomed. 

This willingness to step up was forged by Mariam’s own experiences as a person who had to fight for visibility on every front.

“I know what it feels like to be on the outside of a space that wasn’t built with you in mind,” says the fourth-year chemical engineering student. “Whether it’s being a visible Muslim woman in engineering, a francophone student in a minority-language context, or a newcomer navigating unfamiliar systems, I’ve often found myself in spaces where I had to carve out room for myself — and for others. That experience is why I speak up, why I get involved and why I keep showing up.”

To facilitate the change that Mariam envisions, she has taken on a number of leadership roles, serving as vice president finance and later, vice president external for the (ESS). In these roles, she has supported student-led initiatives, mentored new students and represented the U of A nationally at the Engineers Canada Conference on Sustainability in Engineering, the Conference on Diversity in Engineering and the Canadian at Sea program with the Canadian Navy. 

Mariam is the co-initiator and previous director of finance of the and volunteers with , preparing and distributing warm meals for unhoused individuals in Edmonton. She is also a dedicated Francophone community advocate, and has served on the board of directors for , among other initiatives, and was the first woman to commentate live at the U SPORTS Women’s Nationals.

Mentoring young people is one of Mariam’s top priorities. She supports high school and first-year students, helping them with discipline selection, academics and the transition to university life. She also coaches basketball to junior high school students, many of whom are from underserved communities. This experience has led to her involvement with #ElleBougeAdos, a campaign encouraging girls to participate in athletics.

“As an ambassador, I advocate for visibility, representation and hijab inclusion in sports, ensuring that girls of all backgrounds feel welcome,” she says. “Representation matters, and I’ve learned that simply showing up as yourself can shift someone else’s sense of where they belong.”

Keenly aware of the many challenges that students face both on and off campus, Mariam is developing a student-centred podcast on mental health, academic life and career navigation. It’s her hope, she says, that the podcast will become a space where students, especially those who feel underrepresented, can feel seen, supported and encouraged.

In her many advocacy roles and community initiatives, Mariam has learned what it means to be an engaged and active citizen. It isn’t always about big speeches or perfect plans, she explains, sometimes it’s about the everyday moments, the quiet encouragement, the deep listening, the behind-the-scenes organizing — or in something as simple as showing someone they belong before they’re convinced of it themselves — that can have the most meaningful impact. 

Looking ahead, Mariam plans to pursue a career that blends engineering with community building — especially in areas like sustainability, accessibility and equitable infrastructure.

“I want to be part of a generation of engineers who aren’t just designing systems, but who are reimagining how those systems serve people,” says Mariam. “For me, citizenship also means asking hard questions about the systems we live in — and finding ways to make them more fair, more compassionate and more human. For people, for the planet, and for futures we may never see.”

Named in honour of the Faculty of Engineering’s founding professor, the William Muir Edwards Citizenship Award recognizes Engineering at �������� undergraduate students who have made exceptional contributions to society. It’s a celebration of citizenship and of engineering students who go to extraordinary lengths to make our world a better place. Special thanks to the David Morris Family Foundation for supporting our students and making the William Muir Edwards Citizenship Awards possible. 

Do you know an undergraduate student whose volunteerism, contributions, and efforts, both on-campus and off-campus, work to make the world a better place? Learn more about the nomination process »