As a senior in the Bachelor of Science in Psychology program, Ammar Ansari has spent his undergraduate years at UHD exploring how understanding people can lead to meaningful change. As the founder of the Malaikah Foundation, named after the Arabic word for angels, Ansari has transformed classroom lessons into lasting service for individuals with disabilities around the world.
“I wasn’t initially accepted into my first-choice campus, but UHD ended up being the best thing that could have happened. It gave me space to build something real, not just dream about it,” he said. What began as a plan to build strong footing in psychology soon evolved into the confidence and passion needed to drive Malaikah’s global mission.
Balancing international travel, coursework, and leading a nonprofit required discipline, but Ansari credits UHD’s flexible structure and supportive faculty such as Dr. Finch, Dr. Westfall, and Dr. Elsayegh for helping him stay on track. “The course that changed me most was Dr. Westfall’s Meaning of Life,” he shared. “I learned to listen to understand rather than to respond, and that changed how I lead.”
Ansari sees his foundation’s mission reflected in UHD’s commitment to opportunity. With more than 150 volunteers across multiple countries since its founding in 2021, he says Malaikah embodies the same spirit of collaboration he has experienced on campus. “Being a Gator means being given an opportunity,” he explained. “UHD gives students the chance to start on the same ground as the rest of the world. You already have more than so many others. Focus on what you have, not what you don’t.”
With graduation approaching, he is already collaborating with UHD leadership, including President Loren J. Blanchard, to explore how he can mentor other students who aspire to lead in the nonprofit sector. “UHD gave me the space to dream big, even if it means taking it all the way to the President’s Office,” he said. “Now I want to give back and help others do the same.”
After graduation, Ansari plans to expand Malaikah’s mission to the United Kingdom, with long-term goals of pursuing graduate studies in global management and healthcare administration. In his downtime, he’s looking forward to spending time with family. “Everything I do goes back to them,” he said. “I just want my parents to see what their sacrifices built.”
When asked what advice he would share with his fellow Gators, “Dream bigger,” Ammar said firmly. “No one is stopping you except you. If you think you can reach Mars, you can probably get to Jupiter. Think long-term, not just day-to-day.”
Looking back, Ansari says his studies shaped both his mindset and his mission. “UHD gave me the confidence to lead, the space to grow, and the people who believed in me when I needed it most,” he said. “If my story gives even one other student the confidence to believe in their own ideas, that’s the greatest impact I could hope for.”