My name is Ali Raza and I was born in the Karachi, Pakistan and I came to the United States when I was two years old. I lived in seven different states growing up before finally moving to Texas in 8th grade and am a proud graduate of El Campo High School in Texas. I have a younger sister and two half-siblings.

 

I am a first-generation college student where I attended The University of Texas at Austin for undergrad and Florida State University for graduate school. Since my sophomore year in high school, I have been an independent; fully supporting myself financially and helping take care of my family. I understand the importance of education and can empathize with students from a wide array of backgrounds who may be struggling because I have been there myself. Education has been an opportunity to escape the challenges life has presented me and my family.

 

A personal mantra of mine has always been that you cannot control the external factors in your life, the only thing you can control is yourself and your attitude; that being said, I am an extremely positive person in life and try to bring that with me in any interaction or setting.

 

I am a people-person by nature. When I am not working or in class, I enjoy spending time with my friends, exploring the city or surrounding area, love anything sports-related, love to cook and eat food, enjoy reading a good book, and appreciate tasting local brews. I take my job seriously but never try to take myself too seriously and love to laugh.