Springfield College Student-Leader Selected as BRAID Fellowship Recipient
Springfield College Class of 2026 student-leader Ali Mohsin Bozdar, back row left, has been selected as one of Interfaith America's BRAID (Bridgebuilders Relating Across Interfaith Differences) fellowship recipients.
By: Damon Markiewicz
Springfield College Class of 2026 student-leader Ali Mohsin Bozdar has been selected as one of Interfaith America's BRAID (Bridgebuilders Relating Across Interfaith Differences) fellowship recipients. The BRAID fellowship program supports undergraduate students nationwide by offering a shared community for students to explore and demonstrate the principles of respecting various religious and cultural identities.
Nominated by Springfield College Director of Spiritual Life David McMahon, Bozdar recently joined 20 student-leaders, representing 15 different colleges and universities nationwide, at the University of Utah to convene the first in-person gathering of the BRAID fellowship program. The three-day retreat created space for fellows to form friendships with peers, learn valuable listening and bridgebuilding skills from Interfaith America staff, and collaborate with Interfaith mentors to ideate on forthcoming bridgebuilding projects on their respective campuses.
“This is a huge honor to be a part of the BRAID fellowship program, and I want to thank David McMahon for his nomination and continued support in allowing me to receive this honor,” explained Bozdar. “I am deeply committed to fostering connections between communities of different religious, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. I want to build bridges that highlight our similarities, instead of focusing on our differences.”
As a combined major in computer science and criminal justice, Bozdar is also a proud member of the Springfield College Honors Program. During his time on Alden Street, he has embraced many leadership opportunities, including serving as the president of the International Students Organization, and he has led the Muslim Student Organization. In addition, he has taken part in the Cultural Connections orientation program, welcoming incoming first-year students to campus. Bozdar also has been a part of the Housing and Residence Life staff, serving as a residence assistant. Bozdar continues to demonstrate a dedication to leadership and community-building through peer-to-peer mental health training as part of the Pride Cares program.
“Ali is very deserving to be a part of the BRAID fellowship program. He embodies resilience, empathy, and a vision for unity through his academic pursuits and active campus involvement,” explained McMahon. “He is dedicated to being a part of an inclusive and connected global community.”
As part of his initiatives on the campus, Bozdar recently assisted with programming centered on supporting the religious observance of Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, and it ran approximately from the evening of February 28 through the evening of March 29. It’s a period of prayer, reflection, charity, and goodwill to others. A significant aspect of the observance of Ramadan is fasting, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam (essential religious beliefs/duties).
“One of my focuses surrounding Ramadan was to help explain ‘the why’ when it comes to fasting,” explained Bozdar. “It really is more about purifying the body, and getting rid of the negativity. It’s about cleansing the mind and eliminating negative influences. I really wanted my focus to be about sharing the benefits of fasting, and how it helps the spirit, mind, and body. It’s more about maintaining good, strong intentions with your actions.”
When it comes to maintaining positive intentions with his actions on campus, Bozdar has already displayed to his peers that he is a valuable member of our campus community. Displaying a strong focus and passion for his shared majors of concentration, Bozdar continues to impact all of the individuals he connects with at Springfield College.
“He is always extremely attentive and always asks good questions,” said James O’Brien, chair of the Springfield College Department of Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science. “He’s not happy with just nodding along and taking notes. A lot of times, when you look at him, he’ll refrain from taking notes so he’ll listen and absorb what the professor is saying. Ali has always been an impressive student both in the classroom and outside as well.”
Always asking good questions and remaining very engaged have been consistent qualities in Bozdar’s educational journey.
“My curiosity to learn and my curiosity to do has broadened my limits,” explained Bozdar. “I have learned new things, new languages, new cultures, met different people, and it has allowed me to basically increase my involvement on campus. I continue to enjoy my time at Springfield, and it’s exciting to keep learning every day.”
And, as he continues his growth as a BRAID fellow, he doesn’t lose sight of his goals and intentions as a member of the campus community.
“I enjoy being a reason people will hopefully smile each day,” explained Bozdar. “I love being a part of a supportive community that brings people together.”
