Bismah Arif

Bismah Arif has been a storyteller ever since she picked up her first book—her imagination bursts with worlds where ideas collide, and futures unfold. As the eldest of five in a proud Muslim immigrant family, she dreams of becoming a clinical psychologist and humanitarian, using stories and science to make a global impact. As Vice President and co-founder of the College Compass club at her high school, Bismah guides peers through academic and personal challenges, especially supporting underrepresented students. Through a research internship at UCONN Health and editorial work at FilmPsych, Bismah explores psychology and creative advocacy, empowering youth to discuss emotional well-being. She has organized a fundraiser that raised over $4,000 for humanitarian relief in Gaza at her local mosque and hopes to continue to raise funds and awareness for the various genocides occurring worldwide. Bismah’s experiences inspire her to break barriers and erase the stigma around mental health, especially within minority communities.