Originally from Hurghada on the Red Sea, five hours by car from her university, Soad is the oldest of six siblings, with four brothers and one sister. Her father works two jobs to support the family — as a plumber outside their home governorate and in the governor general’s office in Hurghada — while her mother takes care of the family at home. Soad admires her parents, who have always motivated and supported her educational goals, despite their illiteracy.

Math and engineering have been a passion and a strength of Mehad’s for as long as she can remember. But it is the association of these things with her father that she most values. Her father, who had worked in the traffic department and as an accountant, inspired her love of math and engineering. Mehad’s father passed away when she was only eight years old, leaving her mother, older sister, and younger brother to live on his pension. Mehad’s mother now works as an employee in a supply office and is very supportive of Mehad — encouraging her to reach for her dreams.

Although his mother was unable to financially support the family on her own, her emotional support motivated Ahmed. Moreover, her dependence on charity inspired in him a spirit of giving. Her continual motivation of her children to reach for new opportunities through education helped him earn 98 percent on the Thanaweyya Amma high school exit exam. As his mother always told him, “You can reach others’ level through education, not just money.”