Finding Her Voice to Advocate for Others: Irnande Altema ’07

This Alumni of Distinction profile was originally published in Universitas 2025-26, Notre Dame of Maryland University’s award-winning magazine.

“They taught me how to use my voice, to speak up, to transform the world, and to really be a trailblazer.”

When Irnande Altema ‘07 walked onto the campus of NDMU, she carried with her something that no syllabus could have prepared her for — the quiet weight of being first. The first in her family to attend college. The first to navigate the expectations of life as a first-generation American. The first to forge a path entirely her own.

Thankfully, Altema’s time at NDMU helped her find her voice, her purpose, and a community that would shape the trajectory of her life. “When you’re first-generation, there’s no blueprint,” she said. “You’re learning as you go, trying to honor your family’s sacrifices and heritage while building something new.”

Today, Altema is the vice president for government and business affairs at the Maryland Independent College and University Association (MICUA), where she advocates for higher education access and policy across the state. Her academic journey includes a master’s degree in biomedical science policy and advocacy from Georgetown University and a Juris Doctor from Hofstra University. Yet, among her many accomplishments, her most recent and truly personal work is authoring her debut  book, “The Rise of a First Gen.”

The book is a candid and deeply personal reflection on identity, resilience, and ambition, one that directly mirrors the trailblazing mindset Altema began to develop during her time at NDMU. “It’s for anyone who has had to navigate uncharted waters,” Altema said, “and is trying to figure out how to reach their fullest potential.”

Long before these achievements, Altema was a biology major at NDMU, immersed in rigorous coursework while quietly developing something even more transformative: confidence. As a student, she often found herself in spaces where she stood out, yet NDMU gave her the tools to stand firm. “They taught me how to use my voice,” she said. “To speak up, to transform the world, and to really be a trailblazer.”

That idea of trailblazing, of stepping into spaces without a roadmap and creating one for others, became the foundation for her book. Altema writes not only about her own journey, but about what it means to move forward when there is no clear path.

More than a memoir, the book is a continuation of her work as a leader and advocate. It offers guidance, affirmation, and a sense of possibility for others navigating similar experiences—those who, like Altema, are forging paths for themselves and for those who will follow.

Altema’s strong foundation which started at home and continued building during her time at NDMU proved essential as she entered professional spaces where she was often the only Black woman in the room. Rather than shrinking, Altema embraced the role of trailblazer—using her voice to advocate, lead, and create change.

Her connection to the University has come full circle in unexpected ways. Today, she works alongside one of her former professors, once her organic chemistry instructor, now her colleague. “I didn’t realize I would get to be back in this space,” she said. “I loved Notre Dame so much, and now I get to relive those experiences and those relationships in a completely new way.”

For Altema, being a trailblazer is not just about personal success; it is about opening doors for others. Through her leadership, her advocacy, and now her writing, she continues to turn her experiences into a roadmap for those still finding their way. “I want people to know that where you start doesn’t limit where you can go,” she said. “Your story matters—and it has power.”

Established in 1895, Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) is a private, Catholic institution in Baltimore, Maryland, with the mission to educate leaders to transform the world. Notre Dame has been named one of the best “Regional Universities North” by U.S. News & World Report.