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Hana Asfar is motivated, determined and goal-driven.

These characteristics undoubtedly were recognized by her peers when they elected her as Moraine Valley’s student trustee on April 7. The position, which she will hold until April 2018, brings the voice of the students to the board of trustees—the college’s governing body.

Hana, of Burbank, is a Student Life employee and involved in a number of clubs and organizations, including the Arab Student Union, in which she’s taking a leadership role in getting more students involved.

“My Student Life involvement has made a big difference in my college experience,” she said. “I have that first-hand, right-away knowledge of what’s going on. Every day working in Student Life is something different. You’re constantly interacting with students and laughing. It’s really fun.”

Hana, who knew she wanted a career in the medical field since she was in fifth grade, said she didn’t originally plan on coming to Moraine Valley. She expected to go to a university.

“I figured it would be the best thing for me, but I’m really glad I came to Moraine Valley first,” she said. “I didn’t really know how many things Moraine Valley has for students.”

Hana is studying biology and plans to earn her associate in science degree before transferring into a pre-physician assistant program. Once she’s a practicing physician assistant, Hana said she’ll likely consider additional schooling to become a medical doctor.

“There’s no one stopping me but me,” she said.

Hana, who always was in the top 10 percent of her class at Reavis High School, credits her drive and ambition to her family. She is the second oldest of five children.

“Academic excellence is really important to me, and my siblings look up to me,” she said. “College is normal in my family. It’s an expectation that you’re going to college. In the day and age we live in, education is so important.”