Meet Melat Debebe

Melat is from Bloomington, Minnesota, and is a third-year student at the University of Minnesota. Melat is majoring in political science and minoring in public health and Korean. Besides academics, she is also involved in the Ethiopian Student Association and the Student Legal Services student board. She enjoys trying new foods with friends and going for boba runs at Kung Fu Tea.

What is your favorite resource on campus?

My favorite resource on campus is MCAE. MCAE is the Multicultural Center of Academic Excellence, which serves as an academic-focused community-based space for students of color, first-generation students, and American Indian students. I enjoy all the resources offered by MCAE, such as the peer tutoring and study spaces. MCAE is a great resource for students of color and first-generation students, where they are able to get specialized support.

How can students benefit from meeting with you?

I think students are able to benefit from meeting with me because I bring a perspective of a student. As a student, I am able to relate to a lot of the same academic fears and excitements students might have. I hope to be a support system for students as they explore a path within the political science department.

What conversations do you look forward to having with students as a peer advisor?

I am excited to hear about the different experiences students have in the department. I am also interested in connecting with other political science students and hearing about their different perspectives about classes, the department, and university.