Ivan Allen Award Recipient Builds her Legacy

Posted April 28, 2021

If you look at Sinet Adous' resume, you will see an extensive list of accomplishments. She was named the 2020 Ms. Georgia Tech, 2018 Convocation Speaker, 2020 Diversity and Inclusion Fellow, Georgia Tech Ambassador, and much more.

Added to this list now is the undergraduate recipient of the 2021 Ivan Allen Jr. Undergraduate Student Legacy Award, which honors students who embody the spirit of former Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen Jr.— the namesake of the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts. 

Sinet Adous, a fourth-year International Affairs student in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, attributes these accomplishments to her parents, who emigrated from Ethiopia many decades ago. 

"My parents raised my siblings and me to be hardworking, and I grew up with the mindset that I needed to take advantage of the opportunities they were not afforded," said Adous.

Adous grew up learning from strong women leads in her family. Her mother inspired her and her siblings to speak up and advocate for themselves and others who are marginalized or treated unfairly.  

"We learned how to be both selfless and self-preserving," said Adous. "Women, especially those of color, are conditioned to give from nearly empty cups. My mother taught me to apply the same advocacy and compassion I give to others to myself. It is only then that my best work and service come out.

It paid off: Not only is Adous studying at Georgia Tech, her three siblings have as well:  Siham Adous, an Industrial and Systems Engineering alumna; Sabat Adous, a Business Administration alumna; and Anwar Adous, a first-year Computer Science student.

"My two sisters came to Georgia Tech and killed it," stated Adous. "They were leaders in the Black community, GT Ambassadors, and overall inspiring people to be around. Seeing them make an impact and leave a legacy at Tech motivated me to keep the momentum going." 

When Adous applied for Ms. Georgia Tech, she ran under the platform to include more conversations on anti-racism in the classroom. She is now working with the Serve-Learn-Sustain to pilot a GT 1000 course to become the jumping board to include anti-racism lessons in other course curricula. 

"I'm pushing for us to be more pointed and direct about teaching anti-racist principles and how to be an anti-racist at Georgia Tech," explained Adous. "The course will tie into President Ángel Cabrera's strategic plan to focus on equity and inclusion so it will loop into the larger plan to become more equitable as an Institute." 

Because of her leadership, engagement, and academic achievement, Adous was nominated for the 2021 Distinguished Undergraduate Award by Associate Professor Margaret E. Kosal. 

"Over my years at Tech, I have come believe that the most effective and worthwhile legacy to leave is one that eases the path of those who follow,” expressed Adous. "I hope the legacy I leave behind empowers those who boldly advocate for a better Tech."