Tahmina Rahman loves helping students realize their full potential.
Rahman is one of the newest administrative members of the Honors College, working as an academic advisor for Honors College students in the College of Science. Rahman helped others through her previous jobs before coming to Mason. 
“I worked for the TRIO programs, which are federally funded programs that help first-generation and low-income students pursue and obtain post-secondary education,” Rahman explains. She moved to the northern Virginia area from Kansas about two years ago, working at the Art Institute of Washington as a career services advisor prior to joining Mason’s Honors College advising team.
Rahman enjoys helping first-generation and low-income students because she recognizes the disadvantages they face when entering college.
“A lot of times, [first-generation and low-income students] don’t know about a lot of opportunities simply because of lack of exposure,” Rahman said. She loves seeing students take the initiative despite obstacles and pursue opportunities that benefit their personal and professional success.
“It is a genuine reward for me to see my students grow, evolve, achieve and become their own individuals,” said Rahman.
Rahman is a perfect fit for the Honors College staff. She loves how her fellow faculty members are “genuinely interested in helping students and seeing them succeed.”
“I haven’t been in an environment like this before,” Rahman said. “That’s refreshing.”
Rahman describes the beginning of her first semester advising at Mason as busy.
“In October, […] I would have nine advising appointments back to back,” says Rahman. Now, most of her communication with students involves emailed questions about the waitlist or alternative course options.
Rahman reflects positively on her interactions with Honors College students. Despite being new to the Honor College team, Rahman has already received positive feedback about her advising. She builds strong relationships with her students to make a lasting impact.
Rahman has high hopes for her future at Mason.
“My hope and prayer, wherever I go and whatever space I find myself in, is to make sure that I am truly beneficial [to students] in every aspect of the word,” Rahman said. She wants to continue helping students find those resources and opportunities they need to achieve their own versions of success. Rahman also wants students to know that she is there to support them through anything.
“I want [students] to know that I genuinely care,” Rahman said. “I want the best for them."
Original reporting by Zaria Talley. Photograph courtesy of Tahmina Rahman.