The good Cornellians can do: Aisha Arshad ’27

When Aisha Arshad '27 was young, her family moved from Chicago to a community located about 20 minutes outside the city. Aisha started at a new school and she noticed big differences.

“We had a wide array of educational opportunities that my peers at my old school did not have,” Aisha says. “Seeing that gap firsthand, I knew I wanted to do something to bridge it.”

As a sophomore in high school, Aisha founded Let’s Get Ahead, an initiative to support students in underserved communities. Aisha worked with a team of volunteers to offer free tutoring, academic support, and mentorship. The volunteers worked directly with students to make sure they felt supported in their educational journeys.

Over the past six years Let’s Get Ahead has expanded beyond tutoring to include distribution of school supplies, literacy resources, and even meals for families in need. They have chapters across the U.S., in Chicago, New York, California, and Ithaca, where Aisha is currently in her junior year at Cornell.

In November 2025, Let’s Get Ahead at Cornell partnered with Beverly J. Martin Elementary School in Ithaca to provide meals for families during the Thanksgiving holidays.

“Working alongside a passionate group of board members, we came together on short notice, in the midst of finals, to serve our community. I could see the impact firsthand,” Aisha says. “Parents reached out to share their gratitude, and children expressed their excitement and appreciation. But the real reward was knowing that our support helped families feel cared for and supported during a challenging time.”

Cornellians around the globe are sharing how they do good in communities big and small. Share your own story.