Filling the Gaps for Afghan Students in Hayward

Before moving to the United States in search of a brighter future and attending Tennyson High School in Hayward for her senior year, Spozhmey Munir was born and raised in Afghanistan. The youngest of six children, she comes from a family that prioritizes education and was determined to earn her bachelor’s degree just like her siblings. Munir remembers visiting her counselor at Tennyson frequently in pursuit of her goal. Her perseverance paid off — she was accepted to Cal State East Bay and is currently in her senior year studying biological science. 

Munir joined the College Corps program at CSUEB, a statewide service learning program that helps students pay for college while building leadership skills. College Corps connected Munir to Hayward Promise Neighborhoods (HPNs). The partnership between CSUEB and HPNs aims to support educational success in the Hayward community.

Munir’s College Corps assignment took her back to Tennyson High School where she worked with the World House program, which supports students who have arrived in the U.S. in the last few years and have varying English language skills. Her mastery of multiple languages made Munir a perfect fit for serving this program. 

At Tennyson, Munir connected with students who also grew up in Afghanistan and had their sights set on attending college. Even after finishing her College Corps hours requirement, Munir advocated for the creation of a mentorship program to further guide these students on their educational journeys. HPNs hired Munir as a Promise Intern so she could establish a mentorship program for female Afghan students. The program was so successful that Munir is continuing it this year with the same mission: get these students to college. 

“I created this program because there were very limited resources for me so I want to help Afghan students like me that are recently coming so they don't face the problem that I did face,” Munir said after recalling the difficulties of filling out college applications and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as FAFSA. She created workshops that provided an overview of these applications and A-G high school courses required for CSU admission while also providing tutoring for their classes.  

“There was no program for me like this, and I saw students need that educational and mental support since Afghan families are very strict when it comes to giving permission to their daughters, so knowing that their daughter's teacher is also a girl which is studying at university will give them a bit of relief so they would let their daughters come to the program,” she said. “All of their families know me and really do appreciate and respect what I do to support the Afghan youth.” 

HPN Outreach Coordinator Roxana Cruz provided the strong foundation Munir needed to make the program flourish. “She was a bridge for me to this program. I really appreciated her professionalism,” Munir said of Cruz. “Even I told her, ‘Roxana, if you were not supporting me, I could not do it alone.’”

The appreciation is mutual. “Spozhmey ideated, coordinated and implemented the Afghan Mentorship Program,” said Cruz. “While I handled the logistics for space and food and was present at every mentorship session, she really led the planning and facilitation of the program.” 

In addition to helping with filling out applications, Munir incorporated professional development sessions like effective email writing or how to ask for help when needed. A movie day and fun sports activities created a well-rounded program that bolstered their mental health. She even held a celebration for the graduating seniors. “My colleagues from Chabot HPN and I have joked that we work for her because she really has a vision for the outcomes she wants for her younger peers and doesn't let up until she makes them happen,” Cruz said.

“The most gratifying part was that students were coming with excitement,” said Munir. The students woke up early on Saturdays to attend a workshop every week for a month and a half. Their eagerness is a testament to the comfortable environment created by Munir and Cruz; Munir often heard from her students that being together felt like hanging out with family. “I do believe that this generation of students needs more love and care and I do understand them so much because I am still a student in college.”

Cruz said, “Spozhmey is a wonderful mentor and definitely has a bright future ahead. Both students, and I, learned a lot from her commitment and dedication to her community and her goals. I am grateful to be able to work with her and have her continue supporting our local Hayward students for a second year.” 

After CSUEB, Munir plans to continue her education by attending medical school. She hopes to eventually become a surgeon — a fitting profession for someone with a passion for helping others. “I know it is a long process but I really have patience,” she said.