From Listening to Leading

On a quiet January afternoon between classes, Iman Zakaria ’28 sits on a bench outside the library reading How Books Can Save Democracy by Michael Fischer. The book is not assigned for class but chosen deliberately, one she will soon bring into conversation with others.

Later this month, Iman will help guide a student-led conversation interviewing Fischer, a Trinity University English professor, about his book.

Moderating the discussion drew Iman, a biology major and creative writing minor from San Antonio, to the role through her involvement with Corrymeela, a peace and reconciliation community on the Coast of Northern Ireland, and through an interdisciplinary listening course. “In those spaces, I learned how powerful it can be to slow down, listen deeply, and sit with people whose experiences and perspectives may differ from my own,” Iman says.

That instinct to lead with care and attentiveness comes from her family’s story. Iman’s father grew up in Syria during a period of prolonged conflict, where daily life demanded adaptability and resolve. He later immigrated to the United States in pursuit of education and opportunity, driven by a commitment to helping others. His path into medicine took unexpected turns, but he stayed focused on service and now works as a nurse. Watching him persist and care for others shaped how Iman understands ambition. She measures success not by individual achievement, but by how people show up for others and the impact they leave behind, values that continue to guide her path toward becoming a doctor.

Although she began attending Conversations @ Trinity events while in high school, this will be her first time serving as a moderator. When someone asked her to facilitate, Iman said yes with the intention of creating the same space she once found as an attendee, one that encouraged students to listen, reflect, and speak openly.

Being invited to moderate the event humbled and affirmed Iman, and ”it pushed me to step into leadership in a way that feels authentic to who I am,” she says.

Iman engages the topic of democracy across disciplines. As a writer, she believes it is essential to understand the social and political context surrounding her work. As a biology major on the pre-med track, she considers democracy through access to education, health care, and resources. Preparing for the discussion has reinforced her belief that democracy is not limited to elections or institutions.

“Democracy lives in ordinary, human moments,” says Iman. “It shows up in how we choose to listen, the care we take in asking questions, and our willingness to remain present even when conversations feel uncomfortable.”

Iman approaches her role with curiosity and care, rather than trying to have the “right” answers. She draws on her awareness of current events while prioritizing the creation of a welcoming and thoughtful space for dialogue. This experience has reshaped her perspective on herself within academic and civic spaces. “It has helped me see myself as someone who belongs not just to participate, but to help guide meaningful conversations,” says Iman.

Iman believes that student-led conversations help make complex topics, such as democracy, feel more accessible and real. When students step into roles as moderators and facilitators, she sees those moments as proof that ideas like democracy and understanding are not abstract, but practiced through small, intentional actions and shared dialogue.

For students who may hesitate to step into leadership roles, she emphasizes that readiness often comes through experience, not perfection. Growth, she believes, begins by saying yes, even when the role feels unfamiliar.

While the conversation with Fischer will take place over 90 minutes, the impact of student leadership extends far beyond the room. Through opportunities like this, Trinity students not only engage in dialogue, but they also help shape it.