Student Spotlight: Subah Saiara Ahmed

March 13, 2026

From rebuilding her academic path in a new country to becoming a role model for women in STEM, Subah Saiara Ahmed is turning every challenge into momentum. Read about Subah’s journey to complete her degree in engineering and how her mother inspired it all.

What was your life like prior to becoming an international student in 2024?

Before coming to Dallas College, I completed a program in aeronautical engineering in Bangladesh. Unfortunately, it wasn’t equivalent to anything in the U.S., so I couldn’t transfer my credits. I had to start from square one here. But I was happy to do that because I have a lot more opportunities here compared to what I had in Bangladesh, where it’s really hard for students — especially women students. There are quotas that determine who gets opportunities, and male students are often favored. Because of cultural restrictions and financial burdens — especially after my mother was diagnosed with cancer — my studies were paused for about a year and a half. COVID also impacted everything. I’m 25 now, and culturally I was expected to have completed my undergrad by 21. That didn’t happen. My goal became studying abroad. The U.S. gave me the option to apply directly to community college, and since I completed O-Levels under a British curriculum, community colleges accepted that as a high school equivalent. That helped me come here.

What life experience shaped the person you are now?

I think who I am today is largely because of my mom. Before she was diagnosed with cancer, she had a business for 16 years. My dad is also a business professional. As the oldest child, they would take me to meetings starting when I was 14 or 15. We didn’t have a babysitter, so I would sit there and learn. I would write emails, plan events, follow up with clients and help execute the events. Now, when I volunteer or organize events here, everything feels similar to what I learned years ago from my mother. Up until her diagnosis, I knew everything about her business. I would say my mom is the reason I am the way I am today.

Can you talk about your relationship with your mom and how her diagnosis affected you?

She’s the reason I chose software engineering. She always wanted me to do it. She’s my best friend — not in the typical way, but there’s a deep connection. I’m closer to her than anyone. When she was diagnosed, my life felt blank. She was the main provider for our family. Her business was to fund my brother’s and my education. When she got sick, my education stopped, and we had to find a way to rebuild everything. Thankfully, she didn’t need chemotherapy. Doctors gave us 10 years cancer-free, but there’s still uncertainty. Being away from her now is hard. Everything I do now is about achieving as much as I can while she’s alive so she can see me become what she hoped I would be.

What makes you such a great leader?

I just try to be like my mom. She would go out of her way for anyone — whether they were kind or mean to her. She would give her whole heart. When guests came over, she made a full feast so they would feel at home. I think that’s where my leadership comes from. I genuinely want to help people. When I came to the U.S., support existed — but it wasn’t always easy to access. I know how it feels to be a nervous international student or first-generation student. Because of the challenges I faced, I feel driven to help students who are struggling. I want them to know they can rely on me.

Tell us about your experience as a woman in STEM.

In my aeronautical engineering diploma, I was one of only two women in a class of 20. That shows how uncommon it is. Watching my mom inspired me. Now I’m realizing that other students get inspired watching me. I feel proud to be a woman in STEM who is trying to succeed. I’ve seen friends leave STEM because they didn’t believe in themselves. I tell them, if I can do it with everything going on in my life, you can too. That matters to me.

What’s next for you?

My ultimate goal is to earn a Ph.D. in software engineering, focused on computer-human interaction and UI/UX design — combining psychology and user experience. Underprivileged communities, especially in third-world countries, lack accessible technology and user-centered design. I want to build my own firm and collaborate with nonprofits to create projects that address those gaps.

What legacy do you want to leave behind?

I want to be remembered as the woman who did everything she could — for students, for her friends, for the community — to make it better. I want it to be a ripple effect. If I help two people, I want them to help four more. That’s the legacy I want to leave behind.

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