For the students of the John Dee Bright College, representation now has a name: Zamiratu Dainkeh. The second-year student stepped into her role as the Bright College academic senator at the beginning of the semester, describing her position as a “bridge” connecting her peers to Drake University’s broader campus.
“[Bright College is] very small in itself, and it can be a little intimidating going out into Drake,” Dainkeh said. “Just being able to be that connection for my classmates is the biggest thing for me, and then educating more people on the Bright College — that it’s here.”
Dainkeh did not initially plan to step into the role. Late last semester, former Bright College Senator Princess Winters approached her about taking over the position as Winters stepped down.
“At first I was a little hesitant,” Dainkeh said. “When I commit to things, I commit all the way. I’m really big on follow-through, so I didn’t want to pick up something else and have it fall through.”
After going back and forth, she ultimately said yes — a decision she now sees as well-timed. Dainkeh shared that she had attempted to run for the position the previous year but was unable to complete the process due to scheduling conflicts.
“Everything happens for a reason,” Dainkeh said. “The fact that it ended up happening anyway made me feel like I should probably go for things and have more confidence in myself.”
Her confidence was not unfounded. In Dainkeh’s first semester of college, Bright College Dean and Professor of English Megan Brown, who taught her in fall 2024, said her leadership qualities were evident in the classroom.
“She was active in class discussion and always ready to share insights and productive questions,” Brown said in an email interview. “She was consistently generous in her responses to classmates’ ideas, even if she didn’t always agree with those ideas. She is not shy about speaking her mind, but never speaks over other people. In my view, those traits are crucially important in effective leadership.”
Outside of Student Senate, Dainkeh balances school with a part-time role at Oakridge Neighborhood Services, a Des Moines-based nonprofit human services and housing organization, where she works in the accounting department. As a Des Moines native who still lives at home, she also spends much of her time with family.
“I have had the privilege of learning about [Dainkeh’s] personal background, which she wrote about in an essay for class,” Brown said. “Her writing made her values very clear; she prioritizes her family’s needs and celebrates her culture. In particular, her care and advocacy for her younger brother stands out to me.”
Despite the full schedule, Student Senate President Ty Walls expressed confidence in her transition into the role.
“She was recommended by our former Bright College Senator Princess Winters, and I value [Winters] and her word especially on someone’s character,” Walls said. “I have no reason to be nervous about this transition because she’s eager and ready to hit the ground running.”
For Dainkeh, the role is about more than attending meetings; it is about reminding Bright College students that they belong.
“To my classmates and Bright College students, I would say you are also Drake students,” Dainkeh said. “I know we can feel secluded at times, but we are on Drake’s campus. We have a Drake ID. We have the Drake email. So we are Drake students. Don’t be afraid to go out there, make connections, make friends, join clubs and embrace your entire tenure here.”
