Asim Gazi, a PhD Candidate at Georgia Tech set to graduate this summer, is not your typical student. With a passion for volunteering and a love for Atlanta's food scene, Asim is making a difference in the community while pursuing his academic dreams. In this volunteer spotlight, Asim shares his thoughts on volunteering, educational inequality, and his favorite moments from his experiences.

When asked about the impact areas he cares about the most, Asim's face lights up. "Educational inequality is an issue that I care deeply about," he says. "As Malcolm X once said, 'Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.' Many community members don't have equal access to this passport, and it results in lifelong hardships. I believe I have the skill set to help address this issue."

Asim's enthusiasm for volunteering is evident when he talks about the organizations he volunteers with, including Hands On Atlanta, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Science ATL. "The people that make up an organization are what I love the most! Knowing that a cohesive team will be working together to make an impact plays an important role when I choose organizations to volunteer with. On my own, I can only do so much, but through collaboration, we accomplish so much more."

Volunteering has had a significant impact on Asim's personal and professional life. "Over the past few years, I have volunteered with some amazing people who have become friends," he shares. "Having had a baby two months ago, it meant a lot when my volunteer friends checked on me and shared how much the Discovery students have been missing me. Those relationships with students and fellow volunteers bring me quite a bit of joy."

Asim has also honed his creativity and adaptability through his volunteer experiences. "The ability to improvise and adapt to unforeseen challenges is especially needed when working with young students. My experience as a volunteer has certainly honed my creativity in coming up with solutions, explanations, etc. on the fly," he says with a smile.

When asked about a memorable highlight or moment that might motivate others to volunteer, Asim shares a heartwarming story. "During the final few weeks of my wife's pregnancy, I had to skip volunteering with Discovery. It turns out that the Brookview students missed me enough to draw funny-looking depictions of me, and seeing pictures of those drawings absolutely made my day. Not to mention, I also have a picture saved of one of their testimonials: 'DISCOVERY IS LIT!!!'"

Asim's love for Atlanta is evident as he talks about the city's food scene and top-notch universities. "My wife and I are big foodies, so Atlanta's food scene has treated us very well. The universities in town are also top notch. My wife graduated last year from Mercer University with a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and I will be defending my PhD in electrical engineering this year at Georgia Tech," he proudly shares.

When asked for advice on getting involved with volunteering, Asim suggests checking out Hands On Atlanta's website. "It's a great place to get started if you're interested in getting involved! Find what you're passionate about and look for opportunities that maximize your impact for the time you have available," he advises.

Asim's upcoming volunteer event is Discovery's end-of-year celebration on April 15th, and he's excited to reunite with the students and his fellow volunteers. "I'm looking forward to celebrating another successful year with them soon," he says with anticipation.

Those interested in joining Asim can sign up here.

Feeling inspired by Asim’s s amazing volunteer work?

You can help others like his continue to make a positive impact in our community by making a donation to Hands On Atlanta, where every $1 donated turns into $6 of economic impact. Click here to donate now.