Giving Back Through Guidance and Mentorship – Meet Rabiat Yusuf

With the start of a new semester comes another Week of Welcome at Cape Breton University. A week full of fun and educational events designed to provide a warm welcome to new students as they become part of the Caper family. None of this would be possible without the many student leaders who step up during this time and embrace the new cohort. As they were recently in the shoes of incoming students themselves, our Week of Welcome leaders are the perfect representatives to offer new students a helping hand. One student leader who has been doing this since 2022, is Rabiat Yusuf.

Beginning her post-secondary education in Nigeria before moving to Canada, CBU student, Rabiat ‘Rabi’ Yusuf, is in her fifth year of studies at the University pursuing her Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources. Alongside her business studies, Rabi is also navigating the Co-op option, which she says has provided her with invaluable real-world experience.

Throughout her time at CBU, Rabi has used her passion for nature, swimming, helping others and her cat, Purrito, to help keep her grounded. Embedding herself into the campus community at CBU has helped Rabi to feel at home. “What I’ve loved most about CBU is the strong sense of community,” she says. “Professors and classmates not only recognize you outside the classroom but make a conscious effort to build meaningful and lasting relationships.”

It has been these relationships that have made some of Rabi’s hardest days manageable. “These professors have made learning enjoyable, engaging and motivating even on days when it was tough to get out of bed,” says Rabi. “Their passion for teaching has been a driving force in my academic journey.”

For the past five years, Rabi has held many roles and positions within CBU. She has worked as a Peer Success Mentor, Week of Welcome (WOW) Leader, Marketing and Event Coordinator for the CBU Alumni and Development Department, a conference Assistant and has volunteered as an emcee for various events.

Being a dedicated and hardworking student before moving into mentorship positions has given Rabi the necessary tools to excel during her time outside of the classroom. “My time at CBU has been instrumental in preparing me for these roles,” she begins. “The supportive environment on campus means help is always just around the corner, whether it’s from a professor, a fellow student or one of the many campus resources. This community has empowered me to grow both personally and professionally.”

Rabi’s time in these roles has helped her to hone her work ethic, develop stronger communication skills, learn the importance of empathy and to become a more effective leader and team member. “I took on these positions because I wanted to give back to the CBU community that has given so much to me,” Rabi says. “One key lesson I’ve learned is the value of perseverance. Every role has come with its own set of challenges, but pushing through those challenges has made the successes even more rewarding.”

Rabi has chosen to give back to the CBU community over the last five years by taking part in roles connected to CBU’s wide range of mentoring and guidance options. As a Peer Success Mentor and WOW Leader, Rabi’s focus has been on peer-to-peer support where she provides all that she can to help her fellow students while directing them to the many other essential resources.

To Rabi, CBU has become a second home. The connections she has made and the experiences she has had have been nothing short of extraordinary. As a final note, Rabi wanted to remind students not to be afraid to reach out and ask for help, academically or personally. “Whether it’s from a peer, a professor or other campus resources, there’s always someone willing to support you,” she says. “Always know that with CBU, you are part of a community that cares deeply about you. Your time here is what you make of it, so make it count!”