Soccer Standout Helps Empower Others

Aronah Mukhtar ’20, Fargo, N.D.
Major: Business Marketing

Please tell us about yourself.

I was born in North Sudan, lived in Egypt, and was raised in Fargo, North Dakota. I graduated from Davies High School in 2016 and chose to attend Concordia to earn my college degree.

Why did you choose Concordia?

I chose Concordia because it allowed me to play soccer, the sport I love, at the next level. Not only that, but Concordia felt most like home when I visited. The campus, the vibrant and growing community, and the people of the Fargo-Moorhead area made an impact on me.

What are you involved in?

I have had the privilege of being a captain of the Concordia men’s soccer team. I was a peer mentor in my sophomore and junior years, as well as a diversity mentor. I was also involved in Black Student Union my freshman year.

What do you love most about soccer?

Soccer brings me joy. The competitiveness, the obstacles, the thrill of scoring goals. Soccer taught me my first major lesson in life: if you want something, work hard to get it. You must practice every day because there’s always room to improve. “Proper preparation leads to peak performance.” I’ve heard that statement somewhere before and it has always stuck with me. 

In what ways has Concordia helped you grow?

Concordia has helped me branch out in learning a variety of things I wouldn’t have thought relevant to my path – whether it was learning about religion, art, or even personal wellness. I have learned to become a more well-rounded individual.

What do you like most about Concordia?

Although going through the everyday struggles as a student sometimes can be tough, Concordia has prepped me brilliantly for the real world. The papers, exams, presentations, and discussions have all contributed to forming who I am today.

Why are you studying business marketing at Concordia?

I enjoy communicating with others and have always felt the need to empower others. Through marketing, I will have the opportunity to help businesses grow and better equip consumers with the products and services they seek.

Have you had a favorite class?

My favorite class so far was Corporate Finance. It was my most difficult class, yet simultaneously the most satisfying to complete with the grade I wanted through my efforts.

What are your interests outside of academics and athletics?

I really enjoy listening to music, reading self-development books, and meeting new people.

What has been your highlight at Concordia?

I got the opportunity to travel with my teammates to Prague and Budapest before my junior year. Experiencing different cultures had a huge impact on me and has been the highlight of my time at Concordia.

Do you have any advice for new students?

Try to build connections with all sorts of people because you never know when they might be able to open a door for you.

What are your postgraduation plans?

After graduating from Concordia, I have decided to go into sales. More specifically, business-to-business sales. I have learned that I enjoy the challenge of building, maintaining, and growing relationships – making sales the field for me. Now, I am working on landing the right gig to start off my career.

^{Published March 2020}