Political science grad eyes future in advocacy for refugees, immigrants
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—From crossing the border to flee war-torn Afghanistan to crossing the stage at Western Michigan University’s Miller Auditorium to receive his bachelor’s degree, Mehran (Zabi) Najafi has overcome a lot over the past 10 years.
“It’s been quite a journey. There have been ups and downs, but it’s been beautiful,” he says. “There have been a lot of things learned, a lot of things experienced, but it’s been a journey that many people would only wish to have.”
With a degree in political science and an impressive list of Experience-Driven Learning opportunities lining his resume—from interning with a state lawmaker to learning from education advocates in Dominican Republic—he feels prepared to take the next step toward his ultimate goal of advocating for immigrants and refugees at an international level.
“WMU gave me a home when I needed it most. It’s the place where I grew from a student trying to find his footing into an advocate and scholar with a clear vision for the future,” he says. “Being a Bronco means being resilient, compassionate and courageous—values that I will carry with me long after graduation.”
Finding support to thrive
When Najafi first arrived in the United States in 2019, he was placed in an independent living program with other teenage refugees through Bethany Christian Services in Grand Rapids. While the program offered freedom and a sense of stability, he spent long hours catching up with his peers at school while also working second shift on the packaging line at Amway to support himself and his family in Afghanistan.
A quick study, Najafi soon became a standout student. His hard work paid off when he learned he’d won the Medallion Scholarship to continue his education at Western. The University’s most prestigious merit-based scholarship for undergraduate students, the Medallion Scholarship covers tuition and room and board as well as funding to study abroad or engage in research.
“The program challenged me intellectually and allowed me to engage with peers who were passionate, driven and committed to excellence,” he says. “Through service projects, leadership workshops and community engagement, I learned how to lead with humility and purpose.”
Najafi also became part of the Seita Scholars Program, which provides holistic support—from peer and career mentorship to financial aid and campus coaching—for students who have lived in foster care. He says it played a pivotal role in his success at Western.
“As someone who grew up navigating instability, displacement and hardship, the Seita community provided the stability and emotional support that I had never experienced in an educational environment,” Najafi recalls. “The staff, coaches and mentors went above and beyond helping me academically, professionally and sometimes simply by reminding me I wasn’t alone. Through Seita, I gained resilience, leadership skills and lifelong friends; it shaped me into a stronger advocate and motivated me to lift others up whenever I could.”
As Najafi was finding his family at Western, his family back home was in turmoil—forced to flee Taliban control and become refugees themselves. Najafi found a mentor and motivation to persevere in Peter Thompson, Seita Scholars senior campus coach.
“Peter was there for me from the very beginning, during one of the hardest parts of my life. When my family was going through serious challenges and I was overwhelmed to the point of considering dropping out, Peter was the person who kept me grounded,” says Najafi. “He listened without judgment, helped me navigate complicated situations and reminded me I wasn’t alone.”
Gaining unmatched experience
A world of opportunity opened for Najafi at Western, and he took full advantage of everything that presented itself.
As a political science student with a focus on comparative international politics, he enjoyed a diverse array of courses that explored political landscapes around the world. At the same time, he was able to experience politics at the state level through Western’s Capital Intern Program. Working in Sen. Stephanie Chang’s office, Najafi gained firsthand exposure to legislative work, policy research and constituent advocacy.
“[It] was one of the most transformative academic and professional experiences of my time at Western,” he says, pointing out the work was “deeply connected to my long-term goals of serving immigrant and refugee communities.”
With a potential future in law school, Najafi honed his debate and public speaking skills with the WMU Mock Trial team. He also became an advocate for fellow students as a member of the Western Student Association.
“I learned how to analyze cases, craft arguments and think on my feet—skills that will support my future goals,” he says.
Getting a cross-country education
Najafi’s resume-building experiences stretched far beyond Western’s campus. He traveled to Los Angeles for the Circle of Change Leadership Conference, which put him shoulder to shoulder with student leaders from around the country to network and share different perspectives. He also had the opportunity to travel to New York and visit the United Nations.
“I went to the General Assembly, to the Security Council, and it was an amazing experience—inspiring,” he says. “It’s a place where you go and you see all of the amazing things that people are doing, working constantly for the safety of other human beings.”
A Study in the States trip with Lee Honors College to the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas gave Najafi an even deeper understanding of humanitarian work.
“It connected my academic study of migration and security with the real human stories unfolding,” he says. “Meeting families, community workers and border officials helped me see the complexity of immigration policy from multiple perspectives.”
Several study abroad experiences allowed Najafi to immerse himself in other cultures while also exploring important issues. On a trip to the Dominican Republic focused on educational justice, Najafi and his classmates visited the U.S. Embassy, two universities and the nonprofit Children International, expanding their perspectives on local and international approaches to development. A trip to Iceland challenged him to examine environmental ethics and sustainability.
“Seeing volcanoes, waterfalls and geothermal sites in person made those ideas feel real and meaningful,” Najafi says. “The trip gave me time to reflect, learn and appreciate the connection between people and nature.”
Crossing the graduation stage
Isolated in a refugee camp as a teenager thousands of miles from the life he knew, Najafi could only dream of a future where he felt safe and free to pursue an education. The support he found at Western gave him the space to turn those dreams into a reality and persevere against all odds.
“I’ve been living my life under one of the quotes that I heard, which was, ‘When you are at rock bottom, remember that rock bottom can be a great foundation on which to build and in which to grow,’” he says. “I’ve been at rock bottom many times, but you’re building on that. You learn how to navigate the challenges and complicated ways of life—even if it is across borders. You’re learning to be strong in times of uncertainty. You’re learning not to give up.”
Now, as he prepares to graduate, he’s thinking about everything he’s overcome to achieve this milestone, the people who supported him along the way and the family he was forced to leave in pursuit of a better life for all of them.
“I wish they could be here to see me walk across that stage. Everything I’ve achieved is tied to their sacrifices, their love and the strength they gave me during the hardest moments of my life,” says Najafi. “Crossing that stage will be emotional, because this diploma represents more than academic success; it symbolizes survival, resilience, hope and the journey that brought me from a small village in Afghanistan to a university graduation in America. It will be one of the proudest moments of my life for me and for them.”
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