Elsie Ishami Muhirwa
Government and American Studies
Kigali, Rwanda
What was your favorite class and why?
My favorite class was acting, which I took during my senior fall semester. I loved it because it was completely different from anything else I’ve taken at Cornell. We didn’t use computers, phones or any technology; it was just us, fully present in the space.
The class allowed us to truly connect with one another and build trust in a way that felt rare and meaningful. Through movement, voice work and performance exercises, I learned so much about self-awareness, confidence and communication. It pushed me outside of my comfort zone and helped me better understand both myself and how I show up in front of others.
Those are skills I know I’ll carry with me into my future career as a lawyer and entrepreneur, especially the ability to speak with clarity, command a room, read an audience and tell compelling stories. It was transformative in ways I didn’t expect, which is why it stands out as my favorite class.
What is your main extracurricular activity and why is it important to you?
My main extracurricular activity is serving as president of the Black Ivy Pre-Law Society. I joined Black Ivy as a freshman, and I quickly realized how much the organization would shape my journey at Cornell. Since then, I’ve been deeply involved, honored to serve on the executive board for two years before being elected president for my senior year.
Black Ivy has truly done so much for me. It introduced me to some of my closest friends and provided a strong sense of belonging on campus. Professionally, it has opened incredible doors through our annual law school and law firm tours in major cities like Washington, D.C., New York City and Boston. Those experiences made the legal field feel tangible and accessible, and they helped me see myself in those spaces.
Beyond exposure, Black Ivy has taught me leadership and teamwork, how to adapt, grow with our community’s evolving needs and intentionally create spaces for underrepresented students in the legal field. It has shown me the power of mentorship, preparation and collective ambition.
What are the most valuable skills you gained from your Arts & Sciences education?
I may be biased, but I truly believe Arts & Sciences is the best college at Cornell. One of the most valuable aspects of my Arts & Sciences education has been the breadth of exploration it requires. The distribution requirements pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone and engage with disciplines I may not have otherwise chosen, and that challenge helped me grow immensely.
From taking rigorous biology and statistics courses to diving deep into the government classes I love, and even taking classes at the Law School, I’ve been able to fully immerse myself in a well-rounded academic experience. Arts & Sciences taught me how to think critically across disciplines, write and speak persuasively, analyze complex problems and adapt to different intellectual environments.
Most importantly, it gave me the confidence that I can succeed in challenging spaces. I’m graduating feeling like I truly explored the college experience, academically and personally, and that I took advantage of every opportunity to prepare for my future career in law and entrepreneurship.
How have your beliefs or perspectives changed since you first arrived at Cornell?
When I first arrived at Cornell, I was confident, but I think my world felt smaller in some ways. Coming from Rwanda and attending an American school back home, I thought I understood diversity, ambition and opportunity. But being at Cornell – especially as an international student at a predominantly white institution – expanded my perspective in ways I didn’t expect.
I’ve become much more aware of identity, race and the different ways people experience the same spaces. I’ve learned how important it is to intentionally create community and advocate for yourself and others. My involvement in spaces like Black Ivy and living in Wari deepened my understanding of the power of representation and what it means to build and protect spaces for underrepresented communities.
I’ve also discovered that I am far more resilient than I initially knew. There were moments of doubt, pressure and adjustment, academically and personally, but I’ve learned that I can rise to challenges that once intimidated me. I’ve discovered my voice here. I’ve learned to speak up in rooms that feel big, to take intellectual risks and to trust my ideas.
Most importantly, I’ve realized that growth is continuous. I came to Cornell wanting to succeed; I’m leaving Cornell understanding that success isn’t just about achievement, but about impact, community and becoming more grounded in who you are.
Where do you dream to be in 10 years?
My dreams may evolve over time, but in 10 years, I hope to have graduated from law school and established myself as a lawyer who champions women’s rights in all areas, including women’s sports. I also hope to continue pursuing my passion for entrepreneurship, starting one or two businesses that create meaningful impact and give back to my country, Rwanda. Ultimately, I want to build a career and life that combine advocacy, innovation and service, making a difference both locally and globally.
Every year, our faculty nominate graduating Arts & Sciences students to be featured as part of our Extraordinary Journeys series. Read more about the Class of 2026.
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