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.