I came to the U.S. in August 2013 to pursue an MBA at Troy University, but after my first microeconomics class, I got hooked on economics and my life took a turn. My journey wasn’t easy though because I was different. As a Muslim woman from the Middle East, I have been harassed on different occasions and made to feel unwelcome. I know exactly how it feels to be bullied, told you don’t belong, or even considered a threat to someone’s culture and beliefs simply because you’re different.
After returning home to the Middle East, I was able to secure funding at the Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) at Middle Tennessee State University to again pursue my dream of obtaining a Ph.D. in economics. The environment at the PERI was a very welcoming and inclusive environment. At the PERI, we all come from different walks of life, have different colors and different mother tongues, and different beliefs, yet we take care of each other and work together to impact the well-being of society. Our director has successfully created a healthy environment that made each one of us, especially international students, feel like home.
One of my goals as an aspiring academic is to create the same type of open environment for my students. To foster an open and civil classroom environment, I encourage my students to bring their unique experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives into discussions. I carefully moderate classroom discussions, of course, to ensure that all comments are respectful and tolerant. On the last week of class, one of my students wrote in his email:
Thank you so much for your time professor. This was one of the best class experiences I’ve had so far, and while it wasn’t my best grade wise, it was definitely one of the best learning environments. Thank you for taking the time to invest in us
In addition to my own personal experiences being a diverse student in the academy, I have also been fortunate to have been able to study and teach at diverse institutions in the United States. Troy University, which I attended from 2013-2017, bills itself as “Alabama’s International University” with at least 40 countries represented on campus, with the largest student populations coming from China, India, and Nepal. I have had a similar experience at Middle Tennessee State University not only as a Ph.D. student, but also as an instructor and a research fellow. MTSU is home for the white, black, Hispanic, Asian, Middle Eastern and other ethnicities and cultures which makes learning and teaching truly an enriching experience. This experience has prepared me to teach to a wide variety of students.
That is why acknowledging my students' diversity (regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, religion, or disability) is a priority for me, to ensure they have the same access to an enriching and fulfilling education. On the first day of class, I let my students introduce themselves and talk about their goals, where they see themselves five years from that day. I write the details down including how they pronounced their preferred names. I had many professors mispronounce my Arabic name before, therefore, I really appreciate it when someone took the time to ask me what name I would like to be called and how it was pronounced.
I also work hard in the classroom to ensure that students with disabilities are confidentially given the appropriate accommodations necessary for them to fully participate in all classroom learning experiences. I have been inspired by the tenacity and honesty of my students who have overcome many obstacles to pursue their dreams. One story that will always live with me is that of a 19-year old student who was going through so many hardships during that semester. He was autistic and had medical conditions that prevented him from doing his work on time and he really looked down at himself and felt unwelcomed by society because he thought that he was different. He missed his school work and classes because his medication caused excessive sleep as a side effect. When the semester was over, he sent me this email that brought tears to my eyes:
Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication to educating my fellow students and me. I can't express to you enough how much I appreciated/appreciate your guidance and leniency throughout the semester. You are a wonderful teacher maybe the best I've ever had, the best in college at the very least. Be prepared because I will 100% take up your offer for aid in education in the future when appropriate. Once again thank you so much for everything and I hope in the future I can give you a strong return on investment in some form.
Teaching during COVID-19 brought additional obstacles to many non-traditional students. One of my students, a mother, was considering dropping out of school as she was worried about her balancing taking care of her child, little nephews, and school work when COVID-19 started. I worked with her throughout the semester and reassured her that she can excel in my class because she is a strong fighter. I was touched to have received this email from her at the end of the semester:
Just wanted to reach out and thank you for being such a great and understanding professor. I know I wasn't the best student this semester- life got a little crazy! Thank you so much for everything you did to help me this semester, it means much more than you know. I hope you have a great winter break, and get some much deserved rest!
My goal is to assist my students on their journey and to carry them to the safe shore while paying a special attention to their emotional and mental wellness. I live by and teach my students in class that “kindness brings kindness” and “diversity is our strength”. I always remind them that people may have different opinions on different matters; therefore, we always need to be kind, patient, and try to listen with an open heart and mind. As my mentor taught me when I first started this journey, “Remember to assume the best of intentions to be part of other scholars. That is the best way to engage them and have the chance to correct them in a way that allows them to save face (it is hard for anyone to admit they are wrong so one must gracefully teach them). To do so, however, requires you doing good scholarship that is recognized.”
Finally, I am particularly passionate about the need to bring diversity to the field of economics. As a women and a Muslim, I am doubly underrepresented in economics. It is one of my goals to work to address this. As an instructor, I would work hard to recruit and advise minority students to pursue a Ph.D. in economics. In addition, if the opportunity arose, I would be interested in teaching classes in heterodox approaches, including Austrian economics, Islamic Economics, and Islamic Finance. I believe I could also provide an important window into Islamic business culture and finance in courses containing an international element, to help prepare students to interact in a global economy.