Activists “need to get our egos out of the way,’’ he added, and not worry about who gets the credit.
Two days later, in the Back Bay offices where MCN is headquartered, Vaghar circled back to that theme. “This work is really difficult, there’s a real focus on the leader. And I struggle with that,’’ he said. “Look, I don’t have all the answers. I’m 25.’’
With 57 member organizations on 23 campuses, MCN is clearly more than one individual, no matter how skilled Vaghar is at fund-raising and conference-organizing. Nevertheless, Vaghar’s profile is rising as organizations under MCN’s umbrella show they can make a difference.
Vaghar flew to Sarajevo last week for meetings with educators from Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Sponsored by the US State Department, his trip underscored MCN’s mission - to mobilize student groups and increase their clout, at home and abroad.
He’s spoken at the United Nations and has forged ties with USAID, the global humanitarian agency. Last June, Vaghar attended a White House summit meeting of youth leaders, his third such visit and the first at which President Obama stopped by to share a few thoughts.
In his typically forthright style, Vaghar slipped the president a note inviting first lady Michelle Obama to an upcoming MCN conference. The president seemed surprised, Vaghar recalls, saying, “One day, Sam, you might be sitting on this side of the table.’’
A world view Vaghar’s family roots are international: His father, a civil engineer, grew up in Iran, and his mother is British. The two met in England after Vaghar’s father fled Iran during the 1979 revolution. The couple later settled in Newton, where Vaghar attended Newton North High School.
