Georgia Tech Undergrad No Longer Navigates the System---He’s Become the Leader Who Is Changing the System

[Editor’s note: Saif Aslam (pronounced “Seff”) first appeared in GVRA’s success story series in July of 2024. Now entering his fourth year at Georgia Tech, Saif says he loves being an undergraduate. We recently caught up with Saif to see what he’s accomplished since we interviewed him two years ago.]

Saif Aslam is thriving at the Georgia Institute of Technology. “In my three years on campus, I have had many great experiences,” he mused. “As president of Georgia Tech’s ABLE Alliance [a student-led group that focuses on tackling physical and systemic barriers on campus] I’ve had the opportunity to work with administrators to ensure the campus is accessible to students of all abilities. My involvement with the ABLE Alliance and with student government has been deeply rewarding.” 

A rising senior, Saif is majoring in computer science with a minor in business. As a freshman, he began receiving financial assistance through GVRA’s Bud McCall grant.  Lauren Knox, a Counselor II in the Columbus office, has been working with Saif since January of 2025 to ensure he is successful in college. “Saif receives other forms of financial assistance, so his tuition is often covered by other scholarships. However, the Bud McCall grant is instrumental in covering his books, maintenance, and supplies, so the amount of support varies from semester to semester.”

Saif acknowledges the curriculum at Georgia Tech is demanding. “It’s academically challenging, and it’s a privilege for me to be here,” he stated. “I'm thankful to be a Yellow Jacket, and it wouldn't be possible without the support I receive through GVRA and the Bud McCall grant. This gratitude is something that echoes throughout my time here, as there are countless people whose names I'll never know that spent their lives fighting so that one day someone like me could have what they didn't have on campus,” Saif declared. 

“To me, the Bud McCall grant and the story of Bud McCall is about more than just financial aid, it's representative of individuals who wanted to pass the torch and make the future brighter for those who came after,” continued Saif. “That's what pushes me to keep on advocating for greater change across Georgia Tech."

Saif’s Advocacy Produces Tangible Results on Campus 

Pointing out deficiencies on campus is the cornerstone of Saif’s advocacy. In his three years on campus, he has highlighted issues with sidewalk decay, the dangers of e-scooter littering, and the importance of micro-mobility safety. “Another big push I have is emphasizing how difficult it is to navigate campus in a wheelchair,” he said. “I collaborate with administration, students, and staff to get these issues resolved. We've made a lot of progress in the past three years, but there's still a long way to go.” 

Saif, through his involvement with members of the ABLE Alliance and student government, initiated the placement of a wheelchair-accessible desk in each of the Eighth Street Residence Hall lounges. Their combined efforts also resulted in several wheelchair-accessible desks being added to the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons, Georgia Tech Library, and the College of Computing. He also has advocated for implementation of ADA-accessibility standards for a new residence hall.   

Saif is especially proud of a resolution that was passed through Georgia Tech’s student government. It outlined the need for greater accessibility and highlighted areas of improvement. “Our student government mirrors the Georgia State Legislature to a degree and has significant sway in how the school functions,” explained Saif. “I had to draft the resolution as if it were official legislation through the by-laws. Additionally, I had to lobby for it by speaking to student government's house of representatives and working with student legislators. It was a team effort, and it could not have been passed without everyone at ABLE Alliance, the student government, and the administrators and staff who are eager to make the Georgia Tech campus better for everyone.”

During his freshman year, Saif encountered a troubling infrastructure issue. “My sister was taking me to Pizza Hut in my wheelchair and there was a chunk of sidewalk missing because someone had removed it to fix a water line and had never repaired it,” explained Saif. “Apparently it had been broken since she was a Georgia Tech student several years ago. Nobody had gotten around to fixing it because most students would just walk around it despite the hazard it posed. By working with the Georgia Tech fire marshal, my sister and I were able to coordinate with the school's infrastructure and sustainability committee to get it repaired by the time I finished my first year,” he continued. “Now whenever I use that sidewalk, I get the satisfaction of seeing people walking on it who have no idea that there was ever a problem.”

Saif’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Takes Flight 

In Winter of 2026, Saif completed a rigorous 12-week workshop offered through Synergies Work, an Atlanta-based organization. Synergies Work helps entrepreneurs with disabilities by providing tools, resources, and support to launch and grow their own businesses. 

The “Igniting Ideas Business Accelerator” is an online 12-week business workshop that helps entrepreneurs turn ideas into a commercially sustainable business. 

Saif says participating in the workshop was a truly wonderful experience. “I learned basic business skills, but the main takeaway was the importance of accurate communication. Regarding best practices, I realized that effective communication is essential to a positive outcome,” he said. “The instructor was terrific. I learned many principles I can apply to my own endeavors.”

CivicDuty: Saif Launches a Website to Serve the Greater Good 

When he’s not attending class, studying, or participating in campus organizations, Saif is developing a website called “CivicDuty.” Based on his own experience trying to become civically engaged online, Saif is creating a hub that will enable citizens to easily retrieve data they are seeking from governments. 

“You know, navigating governmental websites can be a little frustrating,” he said. “CivicDuty is a website that allows you to see who your elected officials are from the local to the federal level, what they're doing, and how that affects the issues you care about in five minutes. The information featured on my website is pulled from official government sources,” said Saif. The site is designed to be accessible to everyone so even if a stakeholder doesn’t understand how local or state governments operate, he can intuitively learn as he goes through the site. 

CivicDuty is a work-in-progress but is currently live. Saif and his team are constantly looking for new users who are willing to provide feedback. When asked how he arrived at a name for his website, he said he was enjoying a sunny day in the park with his parents when a stranger bent over to pick up some debris. The gentleman found a nearby trash can in which to place the debris. “My father recognized the good deed by remarking, ‘That man performed his civic duty.’ When I heard my father say ‘civic duty’ that expression stuck with me. That’s how I came up with the name for my website.” 

Saif Looks to the Future

There’s no doubt Saif’s college experience has been phenomenal. In fact, he is considering the possibility of remaining in school for a fifth year. “At this point I’m not sure what a fifth year would look like,” Saif commented, “but I love to learn and I love Georgia Tech.”

Knox, his counselor, says Saif is an extraordinary and determined young man. “Saif communicates clearly and he’s a pleasure to work with,” she said. “He challenges himself academically and strives to excel in all that he does. I am certain Saif has a bright future ahead of him.”

Related to: 

• Success Story