Simret Habte '24

Simret Habte '24

Simret Habte is a sociology major and Spanish minor and an inaugural recipient of the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service, which supports future leaders with a passion for building community and helping others.

During the summer, she visited Mexico and Amsterdam, where she engaged in participatory research. In addition to this summer research trip, the Obama Foundation-funded scholarship offers a travel stipend every year for 10 years.

Simret’s path to public service and social justice began in high school, where she worked with the Women’s Fund of Omaha to help women access various health resources. She has also been a research assistant to different LMU professors and is part of the McNair Scholars program.

“I am very interested in race and culture in different parts of the world, particularly in black and brown communities,” Habte shared. “I plan to attend graduate school and pursue a Ph.D. in sociology and a research career. It is very impactful work.”