The Texas Wesleyan Alumni Association is pleased to announce Zahraa Saheb '18 as the recipient of the 2023 Young Alumni Achievement Award. She will be presented the award at the Alumni Medal Dinner on Oct. 20. 

Zahraa Saheb, originally from Baghdad, Iraq, relocated to the United States in 2008 with her family, seeking refuge from the perils of war, political persecution, and terror. In 2018, she earned her bachelor's degree in Political Science with a global focus and a degree in English with a concentration in Writing from Texas Wesleyan University. During her time at Wesleyan, she held various leadership roles, including serving as the President of the Student Government Association (SGA) for two terms. She was also actively involved in organizations like the Model Arab League and the Sigma Tau Delta, Pi Sigma Delta, Beta Gamma Sigma academic honor societies, as well as being a Sumners Scholar and Golden Shears honoree.

Zahraa went on to attain a Master's degree in Global Risk from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). In 2018, her strong dedication to public service and advocacy led her to Washington, DC. There, she began her career as a Legislative Correspondent, eventually advancing to the role of Legislative Assistant for Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33), who is an alumnus of Texas Wesleyan University. As a Legislative Assistant, she managed a wide-ranging portfolio of domestic policies, which encompassed issues such as voting rights, criminal justice, appropriations, consumer protection, financial services, small business, gun violence prevention, human rights, and more. In 2021, she assumed the position of Senior Legislative Assistant for Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and quickly progressed to become the Congresswoman's Legislative Director, a role she currently holds. In this capacity, she oversees the legislative operations of the office and advancing the Member's legislative priorities.

Empowered by her personal experiences as a refugee and a Muslim woman of color, as well as a profound awareness of the global political challenges and disparities that need to be rectified, Zahraa is committed to a lifelong mission of dismantling oppressive systems, laws, and policies, both at the local and federal levels and on a global scale.

About the Alumni Medal Dinner
Each year, Texas Wesleyan University honors distinguished alumni and friends. Their achievements and contributions are amazing reflections of the University, and we are honored to celebrate and recognize them each year.

This year’s Alumni Medal Dinner will be held at the Fort Worth Club on Friday, Oct. 20. The reception begins at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and program at 7 p.m.

The event is open to all alumni, friends and faculty and staff, and tickets are $70 per person. Register online to reserve your seat, and be sure to register for other homecoming weekend activities as well.

Questions? Contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 817-531-6548 or alumni@txwes.edu.