Winter 2024

Tabia Ahmed is currently completing her undergraduate studies at CUNY Hunter College where she is a B.A. candidate for Political Science, English Literature and Human Rights Law with a minor in International Relations. Upon graduation, she hopes to pursue postgraduate studies specializing in conflict resolution. Her research interests focus on conducting a comprehensive analysis of the legal implications surrounding the inclusion of rape within the international crime of genocide. She argues that such an examination is crucial in establishing a more defined framework to effectively prosecute rape during armed conflict. Moreover, she is interested in learning how American domestic strategies shape the International Criminal Court's limitations in prosecuting mass atrocity crimes, underscoring the compliant relationship between policy and the legal acknowledgment from powerful state powers. At Hunter College, Tabia is the Vice-President of CUNY’s first National Organization for Women chapter. Tabia is also a Jewish Foundation for Education of Women Eleanor Roosevelt Scholar which has allowed her the opportunity to work closely with Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney as a student coordinator for the Sign4ERA organization at the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute. Since participating in the monumental Seneca Falls Centennial Convention, she and her colleagues have been actively lobbying across New York City for the recognition of the Equal Rights Amendment into the United States Constitution. Tabia leverages her upbringing in The Bronx as one of the forefront reasons why the ERA is necessary in protecting working-class Black and Brown women from gendered violence in our communities. She has spoken about this initiative across various platforms including Ms. Magazine, the 2023 SDG Summit at the UN, and the New York Junior League. As a Student Senator, she has also worked expeditiously in obtaining approval for the New York State Higher Budget and defending various student-led advocacy groups on campus. Tabia's interest in the Middle East couples with her academic focus on international humanitarian law. She aims to delve into the ideological framework behind the “post-9/11” "War on Terror'', including “preemptive” strategies of modern imperialism and asymmetrical warfare, to comprehend the current socio-political landscape across the region. Additionally, for her Human Rights capstone thesis, Tabia intends to investigate the concept of "Western sexual exceptionalism" and the depiction of racialized Muslims in adult film, contextualizing pornographic violence as a tool of military propaganda. She hopes her time with the Ibrahim program will allow her to connect with human rights activists across the region and strategize on initiatives that challenge impunity and promote accountability for human rights abuses. By immersing herself within the diversity of the region, Tabia aspires to gain a nuanced understanding of the politics of development and the necessity in framing democracy and globalization within a human rights framework.

Abhinandan Gaba is a third year student at Queens College majoring in economics. He was born in New York City and grew up in Queens. He grew up in a working class neighborhood surrounded by diverse ethnicities and communities, which made him interested in community development and international economics. He is also a minor in Honors in the Social Sciences where he combines his liberal arts and quantitative skills to do research in an array of topics, such as immigration economics. He is a member of Model UN and the Speech and Debate Team on campus. He led the effort to recharter the Speech and Debate Team and served as its President, leading the team to multiple award winning tournaments including at Cornell. He received the English Departments Civic Award for his community service efforts to donate books to diverse communities, including Native American reservations. He intends to pursue graduate studies and receive a Masters in Public Policy and to work in international development efforts. He hopes to lead the effort to combat preventable diseases, such as measles and tuberculosis, in the developing world. The Ibrahim Program will provide an opportunity to work and understand the communities that he wishes to serve.

Dylan Kassin, a New York City native, is a senior at George Washington University in D.C where he studies International Affairs, Arabic, and Computer Science. Dylan is fascinated by the intersection of energy security and national security, which led him to develop a novel green energy solution for which he received a grant from the Department of Energy. Dylan also worked at D.C. and New York security policy think tanks completing analysis and research in Hebrew, Arabic, Farsi, and English. Dylan spent the past year studying abroad in Israel, Palestine, Egypt, and Jordan honing his language skills and learning more about Sufism, Islamic architecture, Islamic law and very strong coffee.

Farhan is a senior at Hunter College, majoring in Computer Science and delving deeply into Arabic Studies. Born and raised in New York City, his academic pursuits transported him to Jordan, providing an immersive insight into the Arab world's rich tapestry. Fluent in English and proficient in Arabic, Farhan's unique educational blend fosters a vision where technology serves as the bridge to overcome cultural and socio-economic challenges. Back home, Farhan's leadership extends beyond the university campus. Not only has he championed various initiatives spotlighting Middle Eastern cultures, but he also actively coordinates youth programs at his local masjid. This involvement with the community, especially the youth, has instilled in him a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the younger generation, further fueling his drive to develop tech solutions that can create positive change. It's this commitment that led him to conceptualize an app aimed at assisting those displaced in the Middle East in securing employment, bridging the gap between challenges and tangible solutions. The Ibrahim Program caught Farhan's attention as a unique opportunity to deepen his knowledge of the Middle East, foster meaningful conversations, and partner with groups promoting regional peace. By engaging with thought leaders and gaining firsthand experiences, he aims to contribute actively to building bridges of understanding. Furthermore, the program aligns seamlessly with his aspirations of employing technology as a means to combat prejudices and facilitate mutual respect between different cultures and faiths. Upon graduation, Farhan's aspirations stretch beyond conventional tech boundaries. Through the Ibrahim Fellowship, he's keen on deepening his understanding of the Middle East's intricacies. With a fortified perspective, he plans to advance his app development, aiming to make a transformative impact on the lives of countless displaced individuals. This vision, rooted in tech and driven by compassion, exemplifies Farhan's commitment to a more inclusive and connected global community.

Maya is a fourth-year honors student at LIU-Brooklyn exploring the intersections of psychology, politics, and international relations. Born in Egypt and raised in Brooklyn, NY, her multicultural background fuels her interest in cross-cultural and interfaith work. As a Jeannette K. Watson Fellow, she is dedicated to socially responsible leadership, intending to apply her studies in political psychology to bridge social, political, and faith divides. Maya's commitment to fostering unity is demonstrated in her recent work at the Aspen Institute’s Religion & Society Program, where she contributed to anti-hate crime prevention initiatives, developed religious literacy training for government leaders, and explored ways to unite diverse faith communities to address societal issues. Maya's social impact began in high school as Director of BUILD at Sparks Within Reach, a student-led NGO providing educational support to NYC students facing housing insecurity, where she developed trauma-informed curriculum. Her commitment to educational equity led to her becoming a refugee youth mentor at the IRC where she supported the resettlement and educational success of dozens of newly arrived refugee and migrant youth. Maya continued her refugee advocacy work in Jordan at the Collateral Repair Project, a grassroots NGO assisting refugee victims of violent conflict. In her Grants and Partnerships role, Maya helped author and secure grants that foster the psychosocial well-being, livelihood, and economic empowerment of refugees. Through the ILDME Program, Maya seeks to deepen her understanding of the region's diverse cultures and perspectives, hoping to discover ways she can leverage social-behavioral sciences to improve humanitarian NGO management and outcomes. After graduating, Maya aspires to work in the Middle East at local NGOs while refining her Arabic. Afterward, she envisions pursuing higher education in peace studies and humanitarian action, steadfast in her commitment to fostering understanding, facilitating social change, and advocating for the rights of the displaced.

Olivia is a junior at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she is double majoring in International Studies and Religious Studies with a minor in Arabic. She recently graduated from Central Piedmont Community College with her Associate’s degree in May of 2023. During her time at Central Piedmont, Olivia served as the President of the Model United Nations Club and as an Intern for Interfaith America where she worked to provide COVID-19 vaccine relief by utilizing local religious connections in Charlotte, NC. At UNC Charlotte, Olivia is the President of the Religious Studies Student Organization and is working part-time at Central Piedmont Community College within the Center for Global Engagement to bring global experiences to community college students like herself. In the summer before she transferred to UNC Charlotte, Olivia participated in the Community Colleges for Global Affairs Fellowship where she and 29 other community college students were provided access to tools and resources to enter into the field of foreign policy. Olivia is passionate about the role that religion plays in the formation of identities and worldviews. She hopes to bridge her interest in international conflict resolution and religion through work in interfaith dialogue spaces. Much of Olivia’s academic background stems from work in peacebuilding in post-conflict societies and conflict resolution in the Middle East as well as careful examinations of the ways in which religion impacts these topics. Through her involvement in the Ibrahim Program, Olivia hopes to further her hands-on experience in interfaith spaces that she can use to develop the interfaith community at UNC Charlotte and within her community. Aiming for a career in conflict resolution with an emphasis on religion, the experiences she will take from this program will provide her with perspective and transferrable skills to succeed.

Justin is in his third year at Macaulay Honors College at Baruch College pursuing a major in Finance and a minor in Computer Science and New York City Studies. Spending most of his childhood in Queens, he was the son of an immigrant family and is now a first-generation college student. Hoping to use the resources that his family have provided to him to excel he hopes to see more of the world and develop a complete, extensive understanding of the Middle East and the world. Justin is proud to be active both on campus and off campus. On campus Justin has served as a Resident Assistant, helping students and mentees through the various issues they face throughout their college career. His work has allowed him to develop an understanding of people with different backgrounds and cultures. Off-campus, Justin has pursued various finance careers such as Real Estate, Private Equity, and most recently a Summer Analyst role at JP Morgan’s Investment Bank. His interest in a career in Finance has given him a global investment view, as such he hopes to be able to learn more, allowing him to one day make decisions that are socially, culturally, and politically conscious Through his involvement on and off campus Justin hopes to encourage other students to become involved on campus as well as off-campus to become an active global citizen and have the opportunity to seize the most from their college experience. After graduating from Baruch College, Justin hopes to pursue a career in Investment Banking in the Technology Sector. Through his trip to the Middle East, he hopes to see and experience a different culture and see how countries choose to invest in Technologies and how politics and culture play a role in investment decisions.

Michael is a senior pursuing his undergraduate in History at CUNY Queens College, with the hopes of achieving a Masters or PhD in the field after graduation, with the ultimate goal of teaching at the university level. He has made it his objective to specialize in 20th and 21st century Middle Eastern Studies, with particular emphasis on the latter half of the 20th century, exploring the power, religious, socio-economic, cultural and psychological dynamics that have made the region what it is today. As a prospective educator it is his hope that he may be able to work with peers in his field, as well as his students to create a collaborative learning environment, delving into the intricacies of human society's evolution, documented or otherwise. In pursuing his education, Michael has also participated in several cross-national programs, most notably the Soliya project which is sponsored by the Steven’s Institute. As a member of the Soliya network he would engage with students from North Africa and the Middle East in a curriculum driven, semester long dialogue that had a profound effect on the way he views education. It is Michael’s sincere hope that by taking part in the opportunities offered by the Ibrahim Institute that he may be able to engage with peers, professionals and professors from around the world, developing himself into an educator poised to inspire and shape the next generation.

Andrew Loka is currently in his third and final year at CUNY Hunter College, where he is majoring in Political Science, while minoring in International Relations and Legal Studies. Following graduation, he intends to pursue law school. Andrew is passionate about promoting unity between Egyptian Christians and Muslims, as well as other ethno-religious groups across the MENA region. As a child of Coptic Orthodox Egyptian immigrants, he has witnessed the destruction that sectarian conflict and political instability can have. In the future, he hopes to use his career as an attorney in order to help support migrant communities from the MENA region in the United States, and work with organizations in the region that promote conflict resolution. At Hunter, Andrew is the Co-Founder and Co-Editor in Chief of the Hunter Political Journal, CUNY’s first ever student-run undergraduate political journal. He and other members of the publication use their platform to help raise awareness about underrepresented political issues. Andrew is also currently working on his Mellon Public Humanities and Social Justice Scholars capstone project that seeks to analyze and understand contrasting developments among Arab diaspora communities in the United States and Europe. At St. Abraam Coptic Orthodox Church, he continues to be an active member and community leader, mentoring middle- and high-school students and encouraging them to serve in their communities. To Andrew, the Ibrahim Student Leadership and Dialogue Program is a valuable opportunity to employ and develop skills he has cultivated in and outside of the classroom. He plans to bring his experiences abroad back to Hunter as well as his church community, where he believes that through example, he can pass on valuable lessons from the region to the youth of his church. He dreams of a conflict-free Middle East, and plans to help create this reality.

Alessandra is a sophomore at Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College majoring in sociology and minoring in public policy. After graduating, she plans to attend law school and pursue a career in public service. Having grown up in New York City, Alessandra is familiar with the necessity of reflecting a wide range of perspectives when trying to service a community. Her decision to pursue a pre-law track is rooted in her desire to fight for New Yorkers and address the diversity of their needs and backgrounds. Her interest in Middle Eastern studies specifically stems from a place of personal significance, as her mother’s side of the family immigrated to America during the Iranian Revolution. As an environmental advocate, Alessandra hopes to center her work in policy around climate justice. On campus, she promotes climate education through campus-based sustainability initiatives. She has also participated in government through internships in local and state offices. While her interests span many disciplines, the throughline between them is how language functions at the forefront. As a firm believer in the transformative power of storytelling and its ability to transcend differences, she ultimately hopes to use the written word as a vehicle for cultural exchange. Alessandra is excited to seize this opportunity to delve into the complexities of the region and promote dialogue and understanding. Upon completing the program, she intends to draw from her time as an Ibrahim Fellow to inform her activism back home, allowing her to lead interfaith dialogue in her communities and to develop a nuanced approach to law and policy. She is eager to harness her own multicultural experience and develop as a leader and individual alongside this talented group.

Maya is in her third year at Harvard College, pursuing a double major in Social Studies and History of Science. With Social Studies – an interdisciplinary program, Maya studies the intersections of science and society through the lenses of economics, political philosophy, and history. She is especially interested in the development and deployment of public health infrastructure in post-colonial spaces such as the Middle East and North Africa. Maya grew up in Miami, Florida. Her hometown’s linguistic and cultural diversity motivates her interest in intercultural dialogue. Maya attended bilingual schools and speaks Spanish, French, and Mandarin. In her hometown, Maya’s involvement in activism work cemented her interest in using her language skills for political exchange and change. Drawing from her experiences as a community organizer, Maya is especially interested in how to successfully catalyze hard conversations amongst diverse communities. At Harvard, Maya serves as a health economics research assistant at the Harvard Kennedy School and leads the only undergraduate History of Science journal in the country. She has found these roles particularly meaningful for the opportunity to bring to light histories that have either been hidden or neglected. Maya enjoys spending her time in the outdoors community where she serves as leader for the Harvard Outing Club and the First-Year Outdoor Program. Maya is excited to grow her knowledge about politics and culture in the Middle East through the Ibrahim Fellowship. She hopes to utilize her newly acquired knowledge to promote greater interfaith understanding at Harvard. Maya is contemplating career paths in public service abroad and domestically. She hopes that the Ibrahim Fellowship will inform her career engagements whether they be in academic or governmental spaces.

Samihah Tahsin is a Senior at the Macaulay Honors College on the Queens College campus, majoring in Computer Science and minoring in writing. Her love of CS stemmed from watching Digimon growing up, and she fostered this interest by participating in various programs that allowed her to develop UI/UX design, Product Management, and Data Science skills. Combining tech and writing in her degree pushed her to promote inclusivity in tech by organizing WaffleHacks: a virtual hackathon (coding competition) open to international students to bring technical solutions to local communities, with over 500 participants annually. On campus, she has been involved in the Building Bridges Interfaith Fellowship, where she alongside a group of students from diverse religious backgrounds organized events to promote interfaith dialogue and understanding. Outside of school, Samihah enjoys pushing herself beyond her comfort zone through hobbies like horseback riding and football. Through her previous travels in Asia and the Middle East, Samihah noticed the potential of fellow Computer Science students in those areas that are blocked by a lack of opportunities. She hopes to combine her passion for technology, writing, and her experiences through the Ibrahim Fellowship to organize an international hybrid hackathon where people from underrepresented communities can showcase their technical and creative capabilities to the world.

Zubta is in her fourth year at Hunter College, where she is majoring in Sociology, minoring in English, and working towards a certificate in Business Studies. Born in Pakistan, Zubta was raised between New York City and Bahawalpur, where she attended a local Catholic school despite being raised Muslim. Her multifaceted experiences with marginalization in each country have undoubtedly motivated her deep interest in geopolitics, conflict resolution, and interfaith dialogue. Zubta’s interest in the robust cultures and politics of the transcontinental region that is the Middle East can also be attributed to her academic and professional background. As a Sociology major, she has dedicated her academic career to understanding the structure and functioning of societies and is currently researching the effects of post-9/11 counterterrorism policies on Muslim Americans as part of her capstone project. Zubta is a former investigative intern at The Legal Aid Society, the largest and most influential social justice law firm in the city of New York, and has also interned at the Afghan Legal Empowerment Portal, a non-profit organization at the Leitner Center for International Law and Justice at Fordham University School of Law working to relocate Afghanistani public defenders and grassroots activists being persecuted by the Taliban. Resultantly, she has amassed great insight into the ramifications of societal neglect and ineffective geopolitical involvement from an American perspective which will undoubtedly contribute to her participation in the Ibrahim program. As an Ibrahim fellow, Zubta hopes to engage with different perspectives across varying Middle Eastern societies in order to broaden her understanding of coexistence and political relations so she may in turn promote greater cultural understanding at Hunter College and beyond. Upon graduating, Zubta plans to pursue a legal degree so that she may work as a defense attorney for Guantanamo Bay detainees.

Miracle Gatling is a recent graduate of Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, Alabama, where she earned her Associate of Science degree in Anthropology. Miracle’s childhood, shaped by her nomadic lifestyle as a military dependent, nurtured an appreciation for the diversity of the United States, its cultures, and the people who breathe life into its unique traditions. This admiration, coupled with her enthusiasm for international relations and global citizenship, has led her to find her niche in public anthropology. Throughout her undergraduate career, Miracle has devoted herself to causes dearest to her, all while pursuing a global education. She is an alumna of the Global Columbia Collaboratory, a non-credit program from Columbia University, where she developed a grant campaign for the SDGs leader, Litro de Luz, an NGO addressing digital poverty by offering sustainable lighting solutions to low-income communities in Brazil, and abroad. In addition to her work in eco-development, Miracle is a dedicated volunteer in her former college’s Freedom Group, a student-led initiative designed to educate the community about the prevalence of human trafficking in their streets and industries. Miracle has also continued to enrich her global knowledge base through programs like the Community College Global Affairs Fellowship, which aims to diversify the international affairs landscape by training emerging field practitioners. Miracle’s participation in the Ibrahim Program is a manifestation of her resolution to pursue opportunities that champion diversity of identity and thought. Prior to departure, Miracle will be supporting the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Middle East Program as a Research Intern. Her hope is that her research will serve as a foundation for her Ibrahim Program experience. She aims to utilize the Ibrahim Program as a catalyst for her career, gaining a network and insights that will enable her to make a lasting impact on the region and the world at large.

Michelle Ma is a Macaulay Honors student at Hunter College, double majoring in biochemistry and sociology. Passionate about public health and immigration, she is pursuing medicine with a focus on culture and social equity. Michelle's interest in immigrant and refugee issues sparked through her upbringing as a daughter of Chinese immigrants, as well as her efforts to understand marginalized experiences through academic and civic engagement. She volunteers as a research associate at Weill Cornell Medical Center and New York Presbyterian Hospital, where she is involved in an international project instructing emergency first-aid techniques to a layperson audience, with a focus on addressing the unique challenges presented by the Libya migration crisis. As a fellow of the Justice and Equity Honors Network (JEHN), Michelle has cultivated a social-oriented perspective by delving into the work of historical intersectional activists and analyzing health challenges of New York’s Hispanic population. At Hunter College, she is the vice president of the Project HOPE Club, which aims to promote inclusion in healthcare and raise awareness about global issues including infectious diseases, natural disasters, and maternal health. Committed to advocacy, Michelle has also campaigned in organizing initiatives regarding food security and labor rights. She has engaged with the City University of New York’s Urban Food Policy Center to advocate for healthier and more accessible foods on CUNY campuses. In working with One Fair Wage, Michelle also joined a national coalition of service workers, contributing to strides in raising the minimum wage of Ohio. Michelle hopes the Ibrahim Student Leadership and Dialogue fellowship will deepen her understanding of the diverse cultures, policies, and challenges of the MENA/SWANA region. She is excited to use this experience to better serve individuals affected by migration crises and contribute to positive change in the field of global health.

Uzair is a student at El Camino College in Los Angeles, California, double-majoring in Political Science and Economics. Despite his last name being “Pasta,” Uzair is a proud first-generation Pakistani American who places tremendous importance on fostering a sense of community committed to service and generosity. During his time at El Camino, Uzair assumed the role of Director of Finance for the Associated Student Organization, overseeing a budget exceeding $500,000. In this capacity, he spearheaded student initiatives aimed at promoting inclusivity. His involvement in student government allowed him to champion a bill addressing financial aid disparities for community college students nationwide, even advocating for it in Washington, D.C., at Congress. Beyond these responsibilities, Uzair served as the Co-Captain of the Speech and Debate team, leading them to a historic victory at the International Forensics Championship in Tokyo. Notably, he secured the title of World Champion for Impromptu Speaking. Uzair's impact on campus extended further as the President of the Muslim Student Association, where he facilitated interfaith dialogue and organized the Eid-Ul Fitr Prayer, drawing over 6,000 community members. Recently, he expanded his global knowledge as a fellow for the Community College Global Affairs fellowship in collaboration with Meridian International and the Gates Foundation. Uzair envisions the Ibrahim fellowship as a pivotal step toward a career dedicated to fostering dialogue and development in the Middle East. His ultimate goal is to delve into the study of International and Islamic law, advocating for the voiceless and providing legal literacy to his South-Asian Muslim community. Currently immersed in completing his religious studies by memorizing the Quran, Mr. Pasta has committed to transfer to UC Berkeley in Fall of 2024. He aspires to infuse empathy, compassion, and faith into his advocacy work and is looking forward to seeing the opportunities this experience has to offer.

Saad is a sophomore at Brooklyn College, pursuing a degree in Computer and Information Science and a Minor in Data Science. Saad’s background as a first generation American citizen from a Pakistani background provides a deep dive into his ambitions to create pro-bono technology based organizations dedicated to building advantageous software systems within the middle east. Saad is deeply inspired by the stories of his mother's escape from war-torn Kuwait during the 1990s. As a result, he gained insightful knowledge of the challenges not only faced by his own people but also by those in similar Muslim countries. This inspiration led him to take initiative in the realm of technology, where he dedicated himself to building advantageous software systems within the Middle East. His focus is on providing solutions for health, agriculture, infrastructure, and more, all through the use of software. In August 2022, before the mainstream rise of Artificial Intelligence, Saad founded the organization U-Earth, a non-profit dedicated to using AI technology to address some of the most pressing issues facing our planet today. U-Earth opened doors, and the recent ascent of the power of Artificial Intelligence has enlightened Saad to the potential AI can bring in building infrastructure in many underserved communities. Through this initiative and his participation in the Ibrahim Program, Saad hopes to advocate for the perspective of technological expertise in conversations about the future of the Middle East and the world. Utilizing the experiences gained during his Ibrahim Leadership and Dialogue Fellowship, Saad aspires to elevate the perspective on the use of technological systems, such as Artificial Intelligence, to a new level. He plans to achieve this not only by working on niche and intelligent solutions within his field of expertise but also by advocating for the removal of stigma surrounding such subjects, especially within the political sphere. Saad aims to lay a new foundation for the future of the Middle East, and ultimately, the world. Following the program's completion, he intends to leverage the connections he's established, the insights he's acquired, and available resources to advance these ambitions to a higher level while continuing his work with U-Earth and potentially benefiting similar organizations.

Isabella is a second-year undergraduate student pursuing a major in History and a minor in Jewish Studies. She is a Muse Honors Scholar and Co-Secretary of the History Society on her campus. Her desire to learn more about the Middle East stems from her love for history, faith, and cultural background. As the granddaughter of an Egyptian Muslim, and as a practicing American-born Christian, creating a mutual understanding between the religions of the Middle East has always been a passion for her. In her freshman year, she served as a Holocaust Educator intern at the Museum of Jewish Heritage- A Living Memorial to the Holocaust. She traveled to New York City schools, educated students about the Holocaust, and conducted gallery tours through their exhibition. Although she does not have any Jewish heritage herself, she believes the best way to combat hate, ignorance, and misinformation is to learn about the histories of other people. At the end of her second semester, she embarked on an interfaith geo-political trip with the Hillels’ of Hunter and Queens College to Israel and Palestine. While there, she and other students met and discussed with officials from the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Palestinian Parliament, Israeli & Arab-Israeli journalists, and locals from both places. In June of 2023, she served overseas at a vision clinic in Honduras. While there she conducted eye exams and provided glasses to the visually impaired communities. Next June she will be a part of another team on a humanitarian mission to Guatemala. Isabella aims to be a changemaker in her community, her future profession, as well as abroad to the places she serves. She also aims to engage in dialogue with others, so that she grows in knowledge and confidence to discuss controversial and nuanced conversations with those she interacts with.