LAU-MEPI TOMORROW’S LEADERS PROGRAM
C L A S S
O F
YEARBOOK
TABLE OF CONTENTS LAU-MEPI TL Program Executive Director Foreword.. . .
5
Good Luck Message. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7
LAU-MEPI TLU Graduates Spring 2022: Caps and Gowns.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
The "Life after TL" Interview.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Your Journey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
“”
Fear not, TLers, and believe in your ability to shape the world you deserve. You have gained numerous key skills and competencies Dina AbdulRahman
LAU-MEPI TOMORROW'S LEADERS PROGRAM
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
TL graduates of 2022, Congratulations! It is that time of the year again when we all reflect back on this exceptional journey that we were privileged to share together, and we look ahead in anticipation of what the future has in store for us. Fear not, TLers, and believe in your ability to shape the world you deserve. You have gained numerous key skills and competencies through the U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative Tomorrow’s Leaders Undergraduate program at LAU, which will ensure your success and allow you to excel in any future venture. The program has provided each of you with a once-in-alifetime opportunity to begin on a path of personal growth and self-discovery. I can't help but be amazed by your remarkable transformation since the first day we met on orientation day. Our years together included many memorable moments and memories, some of which were amazing and profound, while others were demanding and difficult, and here is where the journey's beauty lies. It's in the highs and lows, in the highs and lows. Through it all, you demonstrated your true power and essence. As we wrap up this journey together, never forget that you are our pride and joy. Keep LAU in your heart, and do not forget the dear TL team that has strived all these years to support, nurture, and care for you. Finally, I can only express my sincere gratitude to MEPI TL for their support and belief in our ability to always do more and be more. For that, we are for ever thankful. #LAUPride Dina AbdulRahman
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOREWORD
5
CLASS 2022
6
GOOD
LU C K from the LAU-MEPI TL Family
MEET THE TEAM
7
TOMORROW’S LEADERS UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM class of 2022
Tala AbouHawili
Mohmad Abumery
Lebanon Business - Accounting Distinction
Palestine
Karim Achy
Lamar Alisa
Lebanon Political Science/International Affairs Distinction
Bahrain Business - Marketing Distinction
Degrees are awarded as follows: Honors: GPA = 3.20 – 3.49 | Distinction: GPA = 3.50 – 3.79 8
Business-Information Technology Management
High Distinction
|
High Distinction: GPA = 3.80 – 4.00
Huda Aljeshi
Karim Al-Natour
Bahrain Business - Marketing Distinction
Jordan
Hassan Alzahabi
Georges Aoun
Syria
Lebanon Biology Distinction
Business-Information Technology Management
Honors
Business-Information Technology Management
Distinction
CLASS OF 2022
9
TOMORROW’S LEADERS UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM class of 2022
Miral Atik
Hiba Boulmirate
Palestine Communication Distinction
Morocco Political Science/International Affairs Distinction
Ahmed Chaib
Yara Dagher
Morocco Business - Marketing High Distinction
Lebanon Biology High Distinction
10
Khalil El Achi
Karen El Chemaly
Lebanon Applied Physics Distinction
Lebanon Biology Distinction
Marie Nour Ghanem
Angelika Ghazale
Lebanon Psychology Distinction
Lebanon Applied Physics Honors
CLASS OF 2022
11
TOMORROW’S LEADERS UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM class of 2022
Farah Haj Amor
Mahdi Hallal
Tunisia Psychology High Distinction
Lebanon Computer Science Distinction
Amani Hammami
Sara Hamzeh
Algeria Political Science/International Affairs Distinction
Lebanon
12
Business-Information Technology Management
High Distinction
Nabil-Chems-Eddine Houari
Anna Karena Issa
Algeria Multimedia Journalism
Lebanon Biology High Distinction
Maya Jomaa
Magy Kendirjian
Lebanon Business - Marketing High Distinction
Lebanon Political Science/International Affairs Distinction
CLASS OF 2022
13
TOMORROW’S LEADERS UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM class of 2022
Daniela Massou
Abdalla Najjar
Palestine Psychology Honors
Libya Political Science/International Affairs Distinction
Jehad Oumer
Hamza Rabi
Libya Computer Science Distinction
Palestine Business - Marketing Distinction
14
Diditta Rizk
Hadeel Tashani
Lebanon Mathematics Distinction
Libya Nutrition and Dietetics High Distinction
Ala Twini Libya Political Science/International Affairs High Distinction
CLASS OF 2022
15
LIFE AFTER MEPI TL INTERVIEW HOW DID YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE PROGRAM NURTURE A CULTURE OF TOLERANCE THROUGH DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION?
16
Hadeel Tashani
Being a TL scholar gave me the chance to explore different cultures, religions, perspectives, and points of view. First, being a student in Lebanon, which is culturally diverse, helped me to discover new aspects that I was never exposed to in Libya. Throughout this experience, I learned how to coexist with other people from different cultural backgrounds and embrace these differences. Also, the US semester experience was a pure cultural exchange experience that further enforced my cultural acceptance traits because it was an experience full of cultural events and discussions since I met people from all around the globe who became my friends now.
Magy Kendirjian
The MEPI-TL community is a very diverse community in itself, which is what gave us a great opportunity to learn about new cultures and be tolerant and accepting of one another. By bringing diversity within its community, the MEPI-TL program has taught us that all individuals, no matter their cultural, racial, or ethnic background, are equal. As an Armenian/Lebanese myself, I felt very comfortable and welcomed in the MEPI-TL community, and my positive experience has nurtured my ideas and values about tolerance and diversity.
Jehad Oumer
The culture of LAU-MEPI-TL is diverse in nature, getting to learn different cultures and identities while settling in your new host environment, is a very eye-opening experience. You realize there is a spectrum of personalities, and background experiences, the MEPI-TL program at LAU, fostered a culture of acceptance and inclusion among the members of its community as well as enabled us to act with the same acceptance and inclusivity towards the community at large as well.
Yara Dagher
The MEPI TL program at LAU put an emphasis first on wellbeing and self-confidence and granted it plenty of value as a leadership skill. The program also pushed us to take on as many opportunities as we could handle. For me, this was especially my approach to the US experience. I was encouraged to take up every opportunity and it made me feel very fulfilled, which motivated me to implement this approach in my daily life since. Many facets of the MEPI experience, such as workshops, events, community service opportunities, retreats, the study abroad experience, etc. have pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way imaginable, nurtured my skills, and given me confidence in my being and my skills.
Diditta Rizk
During the program, we interacted with individuals from all over the MENA region (and also the world through the U.S. semester) on a daily basis. Through the committees and activities, every individual was able to educate the whole MEPI-TL community about their home country and culture, which made everyone feel included and accepted. Wherever I am, I find myself advocating for diversity and inclusion which proves that the positive impact of the skills taught by the program does not end with us as TLers but spreads through us to the whole society. Every day in the LAU MEPI-TL program is a celebration of diversity!
Hassan Al Zahabi
Even though I come from a country that has diverse cultures, and from a family that embraces all sorts of differences, the program did nurture the culture of tolerance and acceptance even more. In some aspects of my life, I used to see things in black or white. However, during my time in the TL program, and after being exposed to so many cultures, opinions, political and sociocultural views, I started seeing things from the other person’s perspective! Consequently, the gray area in my life was broadene. What’s right for us could be wrong for others.
Marie Nour Ghanem
Being Lebanese, I admit that it was not so hard studying at LAU, where I feel like I already belong to the culture. But the interesting part was meeting other MEPI TL students coming from different parts of the MENA region and being able to introduce them to my culture as well as to learn as much as possible about theirs, especially the different dialects of Arabic, the food, the songs and music, and many more. We are a diverse community at the LAU MEPI TL program, and being able to feel like a big family despite this diversity was very important.
LIFE AFTER MEPI TL INTERVIEW
17
LIFE AFTER MEPI TL INTERVIEW HOW DID THE LAU-MEPI TL PROGRAM SUPPORT YOUR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT?
Angelika Ghazale
The LAU-MEPI TL program gave me hope to pursue my dreams and strive for something bigger, and that is one of the greatest things one could get. Being part of this prestigious program was a major change in my life, which gave me the opportunity to learn how to adapt to changes and that reaching the ultimate objective starts with a small step forward.
Magy Kendirjian
The LAU MEPI-TL program has mainly encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone and strive for the goals that I have claimed for myself. This program has provided us with all the aid and training to get us where we want to be and where we actually belong. In particular, through all the opportunities presented to us and through all of the requirements of the program, one cannot help but become the best version of themselves.
Diditta Rizk
The MEPI- TL program at LAU contributed to my maturity, growth, and success. I will not only graduate with a bachelor’s degree just like any other student, instead, I have acquired leadership skills and potential that would not have been possible in any way if I were not a TLer. I am now independent on all levels and have high adaptability to any circumstances I might go through. Looking back at how far I have come, how many skills I gained, and how much I learned about myself, I feel like this program transformed me into a new, way-better version of myself.
Marie Nour Ghanem
18
Being part of the MEPI TL program at LAU has exposed me to different opportunities and challenges that pushed me to work on myself to attain a more independent and autonomic version of who I was. It has also given me the chance to enroll in communities (like committees) and other programs (like the TLP program), and despite the challenges I might have been through during these opportunities, I got the chance to learn how to overcome difficulties in a resilient and brave way.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE HOW THE MEPI TL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND VOLUNTEERISM IMPACTED YOU? Georges Aoun
The program has an important philanthropic effect on us. It built us with a new set of skills and values that built us in a way to be more empathetic and socially responsible. We were told at the start of the program that every decision we make could affect not only ourselves, but everyone in the program. This made us realize that social responsibility and accountability are key being able to be good drivers of society. The program gave me the chance to take initiative and to study every step to be able to get to whatever outcome I was hoping to have. The LAU-MEPI TL program is a driving force that builds today’s leaders.
Hassan Al Zahabi
The program involved us in so many civic engagement activities and volunteer work. Personally, this helped me think more of others and avoid being a self-centered person. Moreover, the fact that we were given such a scholarship to give back to society and our home country creates a sense of responsibility that whatever we choose to do later in life, we should keep an eye on this goal: to give back to our society and to devote our skills and education to building a better future for our country..
Marie Nour Ghanem
Throughout the program, I have been exposed to many workshop sessions, like conflict resolution, civic engagement, and many more. These workshops helped me acquire a set of views about how to be of use to my community and the people around me. In addition, taking the BUS 305 course with Dr. Mariam Shebaya, as part of the preparation for the capstone project, exposed me to different issues related to leadership both in the private and public sectors. It has exposed us to the different types of leadership styles, and what it truly takes to be an effective leader. And I remember that one of the terms used the most during class was empathy. A true leader is required to be empathetic, and address others’ concerns. During this class, we were meant to come up with our capstone ideas as well, and the creative way of thinking we acquired was very helpful and lead me to come up with a project I am passionate about and dear to my heart.
LIFE AFTER MEPI TL INTERVIEW
19
LIFE AFTER MEPI TL INTERVIEW HOW DID THE MEPI TL PROGRAM AT LAU SUPPORT YOUR CAREER DEVELOPMENT?
Abdalla Najjar
Whether it be the LAU environment that the MEPI program placed us in, the exchange semester in the U.S., or even the activities outside of the classroom, being part of the program opened the door for so many opportunities that come at a rate that is so incredibly high. I am undeniably grateful for the connections that I made with a variety of professors and professionals, especially since these connections could not have been made if I otherwise spent my time at home without matriculating to LAU as a TL scholar.
Jehad Oumer
Indeed, the MEPI-TL Program provided me with the tools and opportunities I need to explore my career and build strong career foundations. I would like to point out specifically the work of the internship coordinator, who guided us through the experience and ensured that we got our internships done smoothly. Through the Tomorrow’s Leaders College to Work Pipeline (TLP) project, I have gotten the chance to have an internship with a company that works closely with the United Nations, which has set a strong basis for my resume.
Khalil El Achi
The MEPI TL Internship advisor provided me with a list of possible organizations and companies that I might be amenable to finishing my professional internships with. My major posed certain difficulties in finding internships due to the limited number of opportunities provided at LAU. Nonetheless, she persisted and found an agreeable and quite nourishing internship that I completed during Summer 2021 with one of my physics professors.
Marie Nour Ghanem
Being part of the MEPI TL program, everything seemed to be easier, especially with internships and their management. The internship coordinator was always helpful in helping us to find internship sites, especially during the pandemic. The coordinator was always ready to advise me and listen to the challenges I experienced during my internship. Another thing was the opportunity to take part in the first MEPI TLP program launched at LAU. This program has helped me build connections with people from different majors, as well as instructors, and provided me with a research opportunity, with the transportation safety project, which not only included surveys, but also a simulator and testing participants behavior which was also very interesting to manifest and be part of.
20
CAN YOU TELL US HOW MEPI TL HELPED YOU BREAK OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE? Marie Nour Ghanem
MEPI TL exposed me to different opportunities, people, and concepts, which helped me be more open-minded, open to change, and learn more about the value of adaptability and resilience, especially during the hard times we went through during the past few years. The program staff was supporting us throughout the pandemic, helping and guiding us to adapt to the changes that have been going on around us. Another component that pushed me out of my comfort zone was the U.S. semester and the whole process of trying to explore a different culture. The support that came with this experience, whether before, during the orientation, or during my exchange semester in the U.S., enhanced my confidence and helped me make the most out of it.
Khalil El Achi
A lot of the requirements of the MEPI TL program, like the capstone project, workshops, internships, and participation in volunteer work were all outside my regular field of study. The capstone project entailed doing work on a social and local level, something I was always intimidated to do. I found aspects of public speaking and presenting in public to be an uncomfortable and unamiable endeavor. Yet I needed to be proficient in them to excel in my field of scientific research. Thus, being coaxed to take part in these events has helped me escape my comfort bubble.
LIFE AFTER MEPI TL INTERVIEW
21
LIFE AFTER MEPI TL INTERVIEW HOW DID BEING A MEPI TL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT IMPACT YOUR FUTURE CAREER AND INTERNSHIP SEARCH? Jehad Oumer
Mentioning that you are an international student on a scholarship, has always served me positively, and gave me a comparative advantage within the pool of applicants. Through the MEPI TL program, I was empowered to pursue activities and experiences in Lebanon, Libya, and U.S.A. Such diverse experience has served me well in my endeavors. And I am thankful for that.
Khalil El Achi
I completed the civil internship at Amideast, where they woefully benefited from my organizational and time management skills. Both are competencies I learned during my time in the program via workshops.
Karim Al Natour
Marie Nour Ghanem
22
Through applying to different internships and jobs, every time the employer knows that you are on a scholarship, it becomes like a bonus for you, especially after they know that the scholarship focuses on leadership and commitment, which has been amazing so far, and I am so grateful for the MEPI program for giving me this opportunity. Earning this scholarship somehow shaped my identity and image and has enhanced the way I am perceived by most recruiters. I remember while applying to my first internship, at the NGO Kafa, I was not accepted at first because they had reached their capacity in accepting interns, but the supervisor made it clear that they would like someone like me to be an intern at their organization, and that they will be taking me for sure the month after…
HOW DID YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE MEPI TL PROGRAM AT LAU IMPACT YOU AS A FUTURE LEADER? Hadeel Tashani
I believe that the MEPI TL program gave me the most valuable things: appreciation and hope. The MEPI TL program made me realize and believe in my capabilities and potential and gave me their full trust, which helped me build an independent and strong personality needed to be a leader in my society.
Khalil El Achi
The best skill that I have gotten from the MEPI TL program at LAU was the valiance of problem-solving. And that is something every leader must become to be effective in their prospects and profession. Furthermore, the ability to quickly adapt to change and learn new techniques and ways of doing work is something that has been approved tremendously by the U.S. semester and when we switched from in-person learning to online delivery.
Diditta Rizk
Due to the MEPI TL program at LAU, I now truly believe that leaders are made and not born. This program truly builds leaders who will be advocates of change in their communities. The MEPI-TL program gave me the push I needed to take control of my life and break the glass ceiling. It gave me the confidence to stand up for myself and change my life in a way that could have never been possible if it was not for this program. Although I know that I am not emotionally ready to turn the page over this wonderful journey, I know that in reality, I am more than ready to embark on the next chapter of my life due to the skills I gained over the past 3 years, and I will forever be grateful for LAU MEPI-TL for that!
Sara Hamzeh
I remember the first day I joined the MEPI TL Program and how excited and nervous I was. However, I never imagined that this program would have that positive impact on me. Today I consider myself a strong, independent, confident, and ambitious woman who could never be the same without the LAU MEPI TL Program. I would like to express my deep gratitude and gratefulness to each one behind this program, for their continuous support and guidance throughout this journey. I owe my success to each one of you. THANK YOU, LAU MEPI TL!!!
LIFE AFTER MEPI TL INTERVIEW
23
YOUR JOURNEY
CHRISTMAS DINNER
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION SESSION
SERVANT LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP
MEETING THE WELFARE OFFICERS
STUDY ABROAD INTERVIEW
24
US SEMESTER
US SEMESTER
US SEMESTER
US SEMESTER
LAU-MEPI TL VOLUNTEERING COMMITTEE ONLINE SESSION
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES
TIMELINE
25
YOUR JOURNEY
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES
MENTOR COFFEE BREAK SESSION
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
CAPSTONE PROJECT PRESENTATION DAY
RETREAT 2022
RETREAT 2022
US SEMESTER
US SEMESTER
CULTURAL DAY OUT
CULTURAL DAY OUT
CAPS AND GOWNS PHOTO SESSION
PRE-GRADUATION OUTING
TIMELINE
27
LAUMEPITL @LAUMEPI_TL LAU_MEPI_TL LAU-MEPI Tomorrow's Leaders Program
"Funding for the Tomorrow's Leaders program is provided by the U.S.- Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), a grant from the United States Department of State.”
