Oakton College became the place where Ana Adamadze set out to rediscover her voice and grow into the strongest version of herself. After moving from the country of Georgia to the United States in 2020, she spent much of high school adjusting to a new language, culture and environment.
Entering Oakton, Ana carried a clear determination to express the parts of her identity that had been suppressed through the challenges of immigration and adaptation. In just two years, she transformed that determination into action, serving as Student Government Association president, DECA co-president, Phi Theta Kappa public relations officer, and co-founder of the Politics Club while pursuing a degree in political science.
Finding Her Voice
After immigrating to the United States from Georgia in 2020, Ana’s first year of high school unfolded entirely online during the COVID-19 pandemic, making an already difficult transition even more isolating. Alongside adjusting to a new country and language, she was also navigating separation from her family and the uncertainty of starting over. Though she maintained a strong GPA, Ana struggled to build connections and often felt too insecure to speak up in class. “I was present, but too intimidated to speak,” she said. “I was afraid of mispronouncing something, so I stayed quiet rather than risk embarrassment.”
It was not until her senior year of high school, as global political events reignited her sense of responsibility, that Ana began stepping beyond the classroom. Wanting to act rather than remain passive, she started volunteering with refugee students, helping newcomer families navigate unfamiliar systems.
Rediscovering Herself
Ana’s first “yes” at Oakton was joining the Student Government Association as a senator, a role that would later lead to her election as president. Around the same time, she also took on a Research, Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship (RICE) fellowship while balancing a congressional internship and a full course load.
Despite her growing involvement, Ana said she did not immediately see herself as a leader. She shared that her immigration experience had left her insecure and hesitant to take risks. Through leadership roles, classroom presentations and campus involvement, she gradually learned to trust herself again. “I became comfortable making mistakes,” Ana said. “Over time, the fear of embarrassment mattered less than the growth I was gaining.”
Coming from a high school environment where four-year universities were heavily emphasized, Ana’s perspective quickly changed once she experienced the opportunities and support available at Oakton. “Resources that a small community can have can uplift you so far," she said.
Growing Through Community
As SGA president, Ana organized Foodsgiving, a campus food distribution event created in response to challenges students faced during uncertainty surrounding SNAP benefits and government funding. "It really made an impact on students just knowing that there's an organization on campus that takes into account what's happening outside of Oakton and tries to help students within," she said.
Ana said leadership became meaningful when it created a lasting impact on others. At Oakton, she found encouragement from professors, staff and advisors who helped her develop confidence academically, professionally and personally. Among them was honors composition professor Dr. Olabisi Adenekan, who encouraged her to publicly share her story during Oakton's International Education Week.
She credits faculty and staff across campus with encouraging her to pursue internships, leadership programs and transfer opportunities. "People will recognize your passion," Ana said. "Especially at Oakton, there are those who will see that and open doors for you."
That encouragement helped her earn an internship with Congressman Mike Quigley's office, participate in the Aspire Leaders Program and receive a full scholarship to George Washington University's Academy for Civic Engagement and Democracy in collaboration with the Ronald Reagan Institute.
Building Her Future
Ana plans to continue studying political science and international affairs before attending law school to focus on international law, war crimes and human rights advocacy. She has been accepted to Boston University, Northeastern University, and George Washington University and is considering where to continue her education.
Ana said Oakton helped her understand that success is not always about having everything figured out from the beginning, but about staying committed, asking for support, and continuing to try. “Oakton taught me that with effort and persistence, anything is possible. We have to embrace opportunity, even when it’s uncomfortable. Growth begins in the unfamiliar, and can transform into confidence with patience and consistency.”
Ready to find your voice? Explore Student Life and Campus Inclusion at Oakton and discover opportunities to get involved.