Zen Lewis Gives Graduation Speech as Undergraduate Hood

Zen Lewis, as one of the selected Undergraduate Hoods selected for this event, spoke during the SFSU Class of 2024 Graduation ceremony.

In 2019, Zen Lewis’ journey to SF State began with her emigration from
Serbia with the vision of achieving the American dream. As an 18-year-old
in a new country with no financial support, she faced daunting challenges
with housing and food insecurity, while attempting to find full-time
employment with limited English fluency and work experience.
Today, Lewis is graduating with a double major in International Relations
and Political Science with the highest honors, accompanied by Sigma
Iota Rho and Pi Sigma Alpha societal honors. She represents the will and
determination of young immigrant women who hail from war-torn nations
to forge a new path, both for themselves and their home countries, so that
those wars never occur again.
Lewis is a force of nature who speaks three languages, works full time in
the wedding industry and serves as managing editor of the International
Relations Journal. While earning the Migration and Refugee Studies
certificate, she has demonstrated an exemplary work ethic, enthusiasm for
global politics and resilience in the face of obstacles.
As president of the International Relations Student Association, Lewis
has been a driving force, encouraging her fellow students and others in her
community to get involved in domestic and international politics. She has
represented SF State at Model United Nations and Model European Union
conferences, where she received the Outstanding Head of Government
Award. Lewis won the David Jenkins Scholarship for Political Activism for
her impactful advocacy of student rights in a political uprising. She used her
senior thesis to expand the discussion and analysis of new regime changes,
using Serbia as a case study. Off campus, she has organized pop-up events
for local artists and fundraisers for nonprofits.
After graduation, Lewis plans to seek a full-time position in San Francisco
municipal government and pursue a law degree.

Zen is the 4th International Relations student in the past 6 years to be selected for this honor. We would like to congratulate her on her academic excellence and commitment to the International Relations community. We wish her the best of luck in her career.