“I am 74 years old – I know it is strange for a woman to confess her age.  Our societies are aging and the concept of age is changing. As humanity begins to live longer, lifelong learning will become vital for societies to re-skill and re-adapt individuals to the times and to new economic needs,” said Kadria Abdel-Motaal (MA ‘23) in a  speech she gave as the representative of the graduate class of 2023.

Abdel-Motaal recently graduated from AUC with a master’s in educational leadership. With 74 years of life experience, she agreed to sit down with News@AUC and share her story.

Have you always intended to pursue a master’s degree?

I always wanted to go to medical school, and I was always at the top of my class during the first three years of my bachelor’s degree at Ein Shams University. But at the end of my studies, I got married and had two kids, so I wasn’t at the top of my class as usual. We didn’t have cumulative GPAs at the time — only the last year counted — so I was not allowed to go to postgraduate studies. This left a hole inside myself that I was always determined to fill, one way or another.

What did you do after completing your undergraduate degree?

I first worked as a specialist at the Egyptian National Blood Bank VACSERA, eventually becoming chairwoman and chief executive officer of one of Vacsera’s affiliated companies, the Egyptian Company for Biotech Industries. When I retired from that company at the age of 60, I served as the president of the Heliopolis Academy for Research. We focused on developing and attracting funds for multi-partner research projects. After that, I led the establishment project of Heliopolis University and became the director of its research department.

Wow, you’ve really kept busy. How did you decide to join AUC?

After I retired from Heliopolis University, I asked myself, “What do I want to do?” And I remembered my big old problem, the hole I’ve been wanting to fill. I knew I had to go to postgraduate studies. So I joined the educational leadership program.

Why educational leadership?

I worked closely within academia during the establishment of Heliopolis University, but I never truly belonged to the field of education. I really wanted the academic background on education, and I thought educational leadership was a beautiful program for that goal.

What did being in the classroom teach you that your practical experience had not?

It introduced me to areas I had never considered before, like the social foundation of education, theories of education and theories of human development. I also learned about the professional way to develop a program, based on pedagogical theories and different delivery methods. I learned how to write in a professional and academic way. It was a well-rounded experience from all sides.

What was it like studying with students who are younger than you?

 From day one, I was in the mindset of being a student. I was not the boss or the director, I was just a simple student. So, the other students dealt with me as their colleague, there was no real age barrier. If anything, they injected me with some youth. I was very pleased that there were no complications at all. I was able to meet a group of people that were different from my usual social network, and the majority were women — which is very impressive. It was an enlightening and humbling experience.

What did your family think of your decision to pursue a master’s degree?

They were incredibly supportive; they were really the driving force behind me. They would tell me, “Remember to apply, you’re going to miss the deadline!” or “What did you write for your application, let me see.” Even at graduation, they drove me to the ceremony like I was a child whose parents were taking me to my first day of school. Learning and education is very important in my family.

Why do you think lifelong learning is so important?

Continuous learning is crucial. People are living so long now that they can retire and still have another 20 years of life, yet many spend those years sitting and waiting. There’s a misconception that your life is done after your career. It’s not! Knowledge continues to be discovered, and the things my generation learned 50 years ago are totally different now. We need to continue to educate and recreate ourselves.

What’s next for you?

I have many things I want to do. I hope to join a PhD program and I also want to publish my master’s thesis. My thesis was on expanding the culinary arts higher education in Egypt. Culinary arts is not represented in Egyptian higher education, even though it is a multidisciplinary field that involves different areas of study, such as food biology, food chemistry, history and sociology. This is a major pillar of the tourism industry; you hear people talking about the pyramids when they visit, but not the local cuisine. There are not many Egyptian restaurants abroad and our food is misappropriated into other nationalities’ cuisines. My next step is to use my education and my experience to contribute to filling this gap in higher education.

Fifteen graduates were awarded at AUC's Fall 2023 undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies in February. Recipients were recognized for a variety of academic and service-related accomplishments.

Undergraduate Awards

The President's Cup

Presented to the student(s) with the highest grade point average.

Winner: Karim Khaled Iskander  

Mohamed El Beleidy Academic Award 

The Mohamed El Beleidy Academic Award is presented to the graduating senior(s) with the highest grade point average (President’s Cup winners). 

Winner: Karim Khaled Iskander  

Student Government Cup 

The Student Government Cup is awarded to a member of the graduating class who has been an active leader in any branch of the Student Government (Student Union, Student Court or Student Senate) and has made an impact on the AUC community through their position. 

Winners: Malak Hamed El Menyawi and Ahmed Sherif Sedky  

Parents Association Cup 

Presented to a student who has demonstrated exceptional capability in blending academic achievement with a major contribution to student activities. All nominees should have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and are interviewed by several Parents Association board members to decide on a winner. 

Winner: Malak Hamed El Menyawi  

Omar Mohsen Athletic Achievement Cup 

Presented by the Parents Association in memory of the late AUC student Omar Mohsen, who passed away in 2012 during the tragic events of the Port Said stadium. It is awarded to a recipient who wins a gold, silver or bronze medal representing AUC in national  and international tournaments, in addition to maintaining a minimum grade point average of 3.0.  

Winner: Aya Ayman Abbas 

Dr. Abdel Rahman El Sawy Award 

Established in his memory by his family to be awarded to a graduating public school scholar with the highest grade point average in the School of Sciences and Engineering. 

Winner: Mohamed Ashraf Hemdan  

Ahmed El Mehallawi Family Award 

Presented to a graduating senior who has demonstrated strong academic achievement and contributed to cocurricular activities, including community service. Candidates for the award are nominated  by their faculty advisers. 

Winners: Lina Ayman ElSayed  Marwan Abou Ghaly  

Ahmed Zewail Prize for Excellence in the Sciences and Humanities

Established by the late Dr. Ahmed Zewail to recognize an AUC honors  graduate whose academic accomplishments demonstrate extraordinary commitment to the pursuit of scientific inquiry and the affirmation of humanistic values. Eligible students submit an essay for consideration, and the winner receives a certificate, medal and cash prize.  

Winner: Sara Tadros Abdel Messih 

Mohammed Bin Abdulkarim A. Allehedan Undergraduate Award

Established in 2017 to provide an award to the highest performing STEM (science, technology, engineering  and mathematics) student. The award recipient is selected by a committee headed by the dean of the School of Sciences and Engineering.  

Winner: Fatema Al-zahraa Elsayed Lokma  

Dr. Sherif El-Kassas Award 

New this year, the award was established family members and colleagues in memory of Dr. Sherif El-Kassas. The award is presented to a computer science and engineering honors graduate for their outstanding achievements and for fostering human ethics and values. 

Winner: Mohamed Ashraf Hemdan 

Shireen Abu Aqleh Award by Dr. Soraya Altorki 

Established by Professor Soraya Altorki to honor the memory of the award-winning Palestinian American female journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh who was shot in May 2022 while reporting on a raid in Jenin, the West Bank. Abu Aqleh had led an inspiring career during her 25 years of press work across the Middle East, bravely reporting on the occupied Palestinian territories. The award is offered to a high-achieving Palestinian student.

Winner: Zeina Hesham Sakijha  

The Valerie Farag Music Award 

Given to the highest-performing student  in musical arts or music technology.  

Winner: Karim Medhat Nasr 

Graduate Awards

Medhat Haroun Award for Scholarly Excellence 

The Medhat Haroun Award for Scholarly Excellence was established in 2012 in memory of Dr. Medhat Haroun to provide an annual award for the best graduate  thesis in the School of Sciences and Engineering.

Winner: Mohamed Tarek Ismail  

Master of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering Thesis: "Enhanced Data Sampling and Feature Generation for Machine  Learning-Based Lithography Hotspot Detection" 

Supervisor: Professor Karim Seddik 

Mohammed Bin Abdulkarim A. Allehedan Graduate Award

Established in 2017 to provide an award to the highest performing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) student.  

Winner: Menna Mohammed Hasan, Doctorate of Philosophy in Applied Sciences 

Thesis: "Electrocatalysis by Design: Low Dissolution Counter Electrode and Highly Efficient Nanostructured Electrocatalysts" 

Supervisor: Professor Nageh Allam 

Fadel Assabghy Award for Scholarly Excellence 

Established in 2012 in memory of Dr. Fadel Assabghy to provide an annual award for the best graduate thesis in the School of Sciences and Engineering.

Winner: Hania Akram Reda Guirguis, Master of Science in Chemistry (not pictured)

Thesis: "Adsorption of Antibiotics in Wastewater by Stevia rebaudiana Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles" 

Supervisor: Associate Professor Mayyada El-Sayed

As the spring semester kicks off at AUC, stay on the lookout for a new face around campus: Yorgun Marcel, the new dean of students. 

Marcel, who began his work at the University in January, is eager to meet with the University’s students and determine how he can best support them.

“I love working with students; I love that energy,” he said. “My role here is to maximize their chances for success and to preserve their ambitions for when they graduate.”

Marcel earned his bachelor’s from California State University at Dominguez Hills and his master’s from Saint Cloud State University in Minnesota. He most recently served as the associate dean for university life at George Mason University’s Korea campus. 

Now at AUC, Marcel has found Egypt to be warm and welcoming. “I was born in Ivory Coast, and parts of Egypt remind me of home,” he said. “People greet you in the street and are generally very friendly.”

News@AUC sat down with Marcel to learn more about him and his priorities.

Why did you decide to join AUC?

My decision was a combination of factors. AUC is much bigger than every other university I’ve worked at professionally, so the scale of this opportunity was exciting. I was also intrigued by the cultural aspect of living in Egypt. I love the idea of a challenge. Of course, the University’s high reputation definitely played a role in my decision. And finally, the notion of returning to the continent where I was born to work and give back fulfills a dream I’ve had since I was an international student.

Tell us about your education and work experience. 

I studied television and film at Cal State and international communications at Saint Cloud. Initially, my goal was to work in the entertainment industry back in Ivory Coast, but I took a detour. I often tell students: I went to college to study one thing, and then I had this hobby of activism. After graduating, I ended up doing my hobby as a job and what I studied as a hobby. 

After finishing my master’s, I started as a director of student activities at College of Santa Fe in New Mexico. It was the perfect match and a great introduction to being a professional in higher ed.

Why are you passionate about education?

At some point during my studies, I began to understand the importance of education in shaping a life, as well as the impact it can have on an entire family. I’ve been able to reflect on the impact that it has had on my life, and I feel the responsibility that higher education institutions have to preserve the dream of not just one student, but sometimes an entire community.  

What are your priorities as you begin your role?

My priority is AUC’s students. I'm here to talk to students, to find out what's working and what's not working for them, as well as ensure that the University has sufficient resources to support them. I’m looking forward to getting to know the students here.

What are your hobbies?

I love to watch movies and am a soccer fanatic. The team that I follow religiously is Marseille. Sometimes I play FIFA.

What is your favorite book? 

The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

Top music genre? 

Depends on my mood, but if I had to pick one, it would be reggae. Bob Marley is my favorite.

Who is your role model?

My mom. A single mother, she was able to achieve and pass on so much to me and my sister. My kudos to her for doing all of that.

What is something that many people might not know about you?

When I was a consultant for EA sports while finishing up my master’s, I worked on a FIFA game.

What are you most proud of?

Maybe I’m saying this because it’s still fresh, but I am proud of the work I did in Korea. Our team was able to build the Office of University Life from scratch.

What world problem are you passionate about?

People-to-people communication. I think we’ve lost a lot of that, with COVID and technology adding more layers. I’m hopeful that the scar left by the pandemic allows people to really value the privilege it is to sit down and have a conversation. When you look at the state of the world, disagreeing is not the worst thing that could happen. We can disagree but still work together on common ground. 

Last fall, AUC welcomed Mena Hanna as the University’s new director of government relations. In this role, Hanna serves as AUC’s top representative in Washington, DC and works to secure funding from the United States government for the University’s essential programs and other needs.

Hanna graduated from Georgetown University with a master’s in security studies and has extensive experience working within the U.S. government.

News@AUC caught up with Hanna this winter to learn more about him and his goals.

1. Why did you decide to join AUC? 

As someone that has worked in foreign policy, I have always been familiar with AUC and its exceptional reputation. The University’s commitment to providing a world class education to Egyptians from all walks of life has transformed AUC to an institution that has become a destination for many of Egypt, America and the region’s future leaders. This impressive track record and my previous career experience made for a great fit. 

2. What is your main role as director of government relations?

My main role is to represent AUC in Washington, DC. That includes lobbying various executive branch agencies, like USAID and the State Department, and also engaging with the United States Congress to ensure continued and strong scholarship support for the University. 

3. Tell us about your career experience. What have you enjoyed about your previous jobs?

I spent almost eight years working in Congress before starting at the AUC. The last part of my tenure on Capitol Hill, I worked on appropriations issues, specifically America’s foreign aid bill. 

I enjoyed turning ideas into legislation and traveling around the world to see the real-life impact of policies I worked on. Through my job I met many interesting people — many of whom started off as colleagues and eventually became friends.

4. How will you build on your professional expertise during your time at AUC?

Maintaining and establishing relationships was a key part of my career on Capitol Hill and that will remain central for me at AUC. Having to navigate a vast, complicated system like the federal government was a daunting challenge that taught me many important skills. I will be leaning on those skills as I learn the intricacies of a university system.

5. What are your priorities for the coming year?

My priority is helping AUC’s students. This includes ensuring support for scholarships, finding new and innovative partnerships for the University and encouraging key officials to come see our campus and meet with our students firsthand. 

Tell us your favorite…

Movie: Casino Royale
Music Genre: Arabic
Activity: Traveling
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
What world problem do you wish to solve? Food insecurity

Steve Marchese, a principal at Cornerstone Government Affairs, is the newest member of AUC’s Board of Trustees.

Marchese graduated from Illinois State University with a bachelor’s in history and political science and has more than 30 years of experience in government relations and public affairs. “I look forward to working with President Dallal and my fellow board members to support the students, faculty, and staff of one of the most dynamic and influential universities in Egypt,” said Marchese. 

Shortly after graduating, Marchese worked as senior staff to U.S. representatives. In 1999, he transferred to the United States Department of State, where he started as a senior policy advisor and eventually rose to the position of director of budget and appropriations.

In 2007, he started work with the United States House of Representatives, where he worked closely on all aspects of legislation, including funding and policy decisions concerning international affairs. This month, he joined Cornerstone, a bipartisan consulting firm specializing in federal government relations, lobbying, public affairs, strategic communications, and business advisory services.

“I am grateful for the depth of experience Trustee Marchese brings to this role,” said Board of Trustees Chair Mark Turnage (ALU ‘82). “His experience, his knowledge and skills, and his commitment to the region make him an exciting and valuable addition to the board.”

Likewise, Marchese expressed his enthusiasm to join the board. 

Marchese is married and lives in Virginia with his wife, two daughters and their family dog. With decades of experience in government and foreign affairs, his expertise will serve as a valuable asset to AUC’s goals for years to come. 

AUC’s Board of Trustees are volunteers from the United States, Egypt and around the world, who contribute their time, expertise and financial resources to support the University.

As winter sets in and more of us are opting to unwind indoors with our next great read, News@AUC asked AUC faculty members for recommendations.

Here’s what they had to say:

Christopher Elias, Assistant Professor, Department of History

"My recommendation is When We Cease to Understand the World by Benjamin Labatout. A compelling hybrid of fiction and non-fiction, it explores the personal sacrifices made by people involved in some of the twentieth century's most influential scientific discoveries, and the unintended consequences that followed those eureka moments. Fascinating, highly-readable, and deeply troubling." 

Hassan El-Fawal, Professor of biomedical sciences and Founding Director of AUC’s Institute of Global Health and Human Ecology

"With humor and cartoonish illustrations, renowned neurologist, naturalist, historian of science, and writer Oliver Sacks, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat entertains and educates the non-scientist and scientist alike on the greatest mystery in the universe, the brain. Truly a page-turner that never gets old. A keeper that you will read again and again!

"A nice follow up, Musicophilia, delineates for the layperson how music changes the physical architecture of the brain, strengthening  connections, and reducing risk of neurological disorders. If you're interested in the anatomical parallels between the love of the abstract imagery of music and mathematics, Oliver Sacks uses humor and real science to narrate and educate on the ups and downs of brain diversity."

Doris Jones, Senior Instructor, Department of Rhetoric and Composition

 "In this work of fiction, A Campus Conspiracy (2006), by Anonymous, the author offers a prescient grasp of Orwellian elimination rituals, demonstrating how power corrupts absolutely in college and university settings. 'Nothing strengthens authority as much as silence.' - Leonardo da Vinci."

Benjamin Carter, Liberal Arts Librarian

"I'd like to start with a short story: Flannery O'Connor's 'The Lame Shall Enter First.' It packs a punch. If anyone reads it, please send me an email to tell me what you think.

"As for a full book? . . . a house-on-fire question: What would I grab while dashing out the door?

"What immediately comes to mind is something that was never actually meant to be read by anyone but the author himself: Marcus Aurelius' Meditations, a collection of notes by a Roman emperor written to himself as a source of guidance and consolation. You don't have to read it cover to cover. Dip in and out.

"Marcus is the leader of a mighty empire, and yet he is ultimately aware of his relative insignificance in the grand scheme of things. In his words to himself, he reflects — on love and loss and on everything and nothing — on the real, heavy things that one can control and the real, heavy things that one cannot. He's looking in, and you're his conversation partner. It's a pleasure to spend time in his head.

"Marcus is a reality check: You are a heap of atoms; the universe will have its way, and the cosmic show will go on with or without you. But whatever happens, you can weather the storm.

"There's a new, illuminating, annotated translation (by Robin Wakefield) -- so you have a guide along the path. There is no other way. You need a guide, and it so happens that the AUC Library has a copy."

Yasmine Motawy, Senior Instructor, Department of Rhetoric and Composition

"I recommend Sigrid Nunez's The Friend (2018) and Amr Shaarawi's (AUC professor of Physics) book أسفار النسيان (The Books of Forgetting, 2022). I have been researching the subject of friendship and have been exploring it with freshmen in the CORE seminar. Both of these novels play on the line between fiction and nonfiction, and deal with themes of writing, remembering, and friendship."

As an interdisciplinary program co-administered by AUC’s Department of Psychology and Department of Biology, the new behavioral neuroscience minor will allow students to study the relationship between the structure and function of the nervous system with an emphasis on the biological and psychological elements that affect emotions, behavior, learning and memory. 

“There has been increasing interest and requests from AUC students for a Neuroscience program,” explains Patricia Correia, assistant professor of behavioral neuroscience in the Department of Psychology. “Internationally, behavioral neuroscience is a growing field, widely represented in top universities and research centers across the world. We believe this minor is an excellent first step towards opening a new, exciting field in Egypt at AUC.”

For students, this minor will provide a new perspective on biology and psychology and create a foundation for admission to graduate or professional programs, primarily for careers involving research, teaching, medicine, consulting and the pharmaceutical industry.

“Through this minor, I am hoping to broaden my knowledge and understanding of how the nervous system functions, and how the brain is involved in everything we think or do,” says Mariam Elnahhas, a biology major. “Hopefully, completing this minor will be a great first step for me to continue to study neuroscience after graduation and possibly make a career out of it someday.”

In terms of research, Jacquelyn Berry, visiting assistant professor in the Department of Psychology, uses behavioral neuroscience to study learning and expertise in humans. “I am super excited about the new minor. It works well with my research and teaching about how people learn and I can focus more on how different brain areas are involved,” Berry states.

One year ago, Sandy Moaaz and her father passed by AUC on the way to a friend’s home. Looking out the window at the vast campus, Sandy turned to her father and asked him, “Dad, do you ever think I’ll get into this place?”

Moaaz had wanted to attend AUC since she was a child. As a high schooler, she spent hours studying each day to turn her dream into reality. The result? She ranked second among the country’s thanawiya amma arts students last year.

“When I got the acceptance letter from AUC, I almost fainted,” she recalled. “Getting into this University has taught me that nothing is impossible.”

Thanawiya amma students have a history of excellence at AUC, consistently ranking among the University’s top students. Of the more than 200 thanawiya amma students who are currently receiving full and partial scholarships at AUC, 65% are ranking between high and highest honors. 

Moaaz is the first recipient of the new Ehab Abou Oaf and Jaylan El-Zoheiry Scholarship. Though previously excelling in political science, she has decided to broaden her horizons and declare economics as her major. “Right now, I am taking microeconomics and intro to music, both of which are very interesting,” she said.

Following a similar path, Abdelrhman Omar was amazed to learn that he ranked number six among Egypt’s STEM section thanawiya amma students. Not more than two months after receiving the exciting results, he joined AUC as a recipient of the USAID-AUC Merit Award with his eyes set on the University’s prestigious mechanical engineering program.

Dreaming of becoming an aerospace engineer since the second grade, the native Alexandrian is eager to start work in AUC’s labs. So far, he has decided to join the Mechanical Engineering Association and the AUC student branch of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

“There are lots of engines in the labs — especially jet engines — and I cannot wait to get involved with these projects,” he said. “Doing this will help me engage with my new environment and learn from people who are older than me.”

Fall semester began in September, but Omar has already had a number of exciting new experiences on campus. “I play basketball and volleyball at the sports complex, and the student residences host a number of movie nights, which fondly remind me of my time in high school.”

Similarly, Moaaz has found a warm and welcoming campus community.

“Everyone is friendly and helpful,” she said. “I know that not everyone gets the chance to come to AUC, so I am truly grateful to be here.”

AUC has introduced three new scholarships for thanawiya amma students this fall: the Malcolm Kerr Public School Scholarship, which supports an Egyptian public school graduate from Upper Egypt or the Assiut region; the Ehab Abou Oaf & Jaylan El-Zoheiry Scholarship, and one new fund that will provide partial scholarships. 

This is in addition to the 12 full-tuition public school scholarships for thanawiya amma and public school students already offered at AUC. Currently, there are 62 fully-funded scholarship slots available, empowering outstanding and talented public school students to attend the University and create a lasting impact in their communities and beyond.

Looking Back

Mohammed Abuelwafa ‘22, a computer engineering graduate with a minor in business administration, received a full-tuition scholarship from AUC’s Public School Scholarship Fund after ranking third among Egypt’s thanawiya amma students (math section) in 2017. Not losing an ounce of momentum, he graduated this spring summa cum laude and received the Dr. Abdel Rahman El Sawy Endowed Award for having the highest grade point average in the School of Sciences and Engineering.

“[At AUC] I was introduced to many interesting topics through the liberal arts education that distinguishes AUC from other universities — such as courses on philosophy, psychology and religious studies. Socially, I expanded my network greatly, [meeting] a lot of AUCians who occupy well-known positions across the globe. I made everlasting friends in addition to making good relationships with my professors.”

During his time at AUC, Abuelwafa was an active student — from serving as media head of the AUC Robotics Club and a peer coach at the Center for Student Well-Being to winning first place at the 2021 Cairo ICT AI Hackathon.

“These activities helped me develop soft skills that have assisted me in my career,” he said. “I believe that each experience equipped me with a unique toolkit that helped me progress further in life.”

Now a software development engineer at Siemens, Abuelwafa has his sights set on the world of biomedical engineering. “As someone with diabetes, I hope to address current medical problems from an engineering perspective using my computing skills,” he said. “Moreover, I’d like to gain more industry experience and pursue a master's and PhD in order to develop and refine these skills.”

Above all, Abuelwafa constantly strives to enact positive change in the world.

“At AUC, I was trained to be a changemaker — a leader who starts initiatives and spots inefficiencies to raise the standard of organizational efficiencies,” he said. “Most importantly, I try to be the change that I want to see in the world and be an advocate for that change.”

Explore the full range of scholarships offered at AUC.

As Mental Health Awareness week kicks off at AUC, activities, class visits and discussions with experts on mental health and well-being are happening across campus. Later this month, there will be a community wellness day and mini-marathon at the University.

But it doesn’t stop there. AUC’s Mental Health Wellness Taskforce, launched under the University’s Mental Health and Well-Being Initiative, is just getting started.

“Our whole community — students, faculty and staff — is affected directly or indirectly by mental health issues,” states Michelle Henry, interim dean of students and member of the taskforce. “The mental health initiative seeks to destigmatize mental health by starting conversations about the way we as an institution can contribute to community wellness.” 

The taskforce aims to utilize previous research on mental health and well-being on campus, to engage the AUC community through open discussions, review institutional practices and recommend specific actions for the University to enhance its support of the community. 

Getting Involved

Henry emphasized the importance of including the whole AUC community in the initiative. While she is dean of students, Henry’s role in the taskforce is to be an objective advocate for all members of the community — representing staff, faculty and students equally. 

The taskforce will be hosting a series of roundtable discussions this month to allow community members to voice their thoughts, concerns and vision for mental health and well-being at AUC. 

In addition to the discussions, the taskforce will also work to identify individuals and groups on campus who are already contributing to mental health support but may not have an integrated approach. 

“There are community members who have been doing this work for a while but in an isolated fashion,” Henry explains. “We want to open up cross-communication between these efforts so that we can really work together.” 

Celebrating these established programs is also a goal of the taskforce. For instance, AUC’s Center for Learning and Technology (CLT) has been running workshops on inclusivity and diversity, which include training on how to support students with special needs accommodations. “These are related to mental health too,” Henry says. “Supporting both students and faculty is important.”

Moving Forward

Long term, the taskforce aims to use research, discussions and surveys to recommend institution-wide changes to support mental health and well-being. “There is more than one type of health,” Henry explains. “Physical health, emotional health, social health –– they are all interrelated and we want to support all of them.” 

The biggest challenge, Henry says, will be changing mindsets. 

“Stigma about mental health comes from a mindset,” Henry states. “There’s a tendency for people to keep their problems to themselves because they feel a sense of shame about sharing. The taskforce wants to open these communication channels and encourage people to reconsider their mindsets on mental health so that we can all support one another.”

With a master’s degree in Middle East studies and extensive experience working with NGOs and higher education institutions in the region, such as the American University of Beirut (AUB), Richard Brow is no stranger to Cairo, nor to the Middle East. 

He is, however, new to AUC — joining last month as the new vice president for institutional advancement and alumni relations. 

“Everyone has been extremely welcoming,” he said. “I’m immediately struck by the warmth and hospitality of Egyptians and, of course, by the depth and richness of their culture.”

Brow will be responsible for advancing AUC’s mission through fundraising, building strategic philanthropic partnerships and engaging with AUC’s alumni — not just as donors, but as advisors, ambassadors, volunteers and employers.

“I’ve known about AUC ever since I began studying the Middle East as an undergraduate student and through my years in Lebanon, when I worked with Ahmad Dallal, in his capacity as Provost of AUB,” he said. “When the opportunity presented itself to bring my skill set to AUC and work with President Dallal on implementing his vision for the University, I jumped at the chance.”

Advancing Onward

“My immediate priority is to get to know AUC, in all of its diversity,” Brow said, explaining that this means meeting with leadership, faculty, alumni and donors, among others. “I hope to meet as many alumni as possible — there are more than 40,000 of them located all over the world — to understand what their AUC experience was like.”

On top of this, Brow will work closely with his new colleagues in the Office of Institutional Advancement. He is keen on developing his team and hopefully, to achieve things for AUC that were previously thought impossible.

“There's a talented team here that I want to invest in and grow,” he said. “Advancement is not a profession that people think of when they go to university, but at each institution I’ve worked at, there have been staff members who have become real leaders in the field. I hope to do the same with the advancement staff at AUC.”

Getting Hooked

A Canadian, Brow was raised in Montreal, Quebec. He holds a BA in political science from Concordia University and a master’s in Middle East area studies from SOAS University of London. 

“Growing up, the Middle East was always in the news and it intrigued me,” he said. “As I studied the region, with all of its complexity — the richness of the culture, the history, the politics — I got hooked.”

Brow has worked for nongovernmental and higher education institutions in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and North America. A transformative early career experience was in the Middle East program at the Carter Center, where he worked with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, and traveled with him to the region.  He also served in development and communications roles at prestigious universities in London, including SOAS, the London School of Economics and University of the Arts London.

More recently at AUB and the Aga Khan University in Pakistan and East Africa, Brow focused on implementing best practices in institutional advancement within the institutions, while adapting these practices to the context of the local cultures. His formula seems effective — at AUB, Brow built a team that delivered the largest fundraising campaign in the university’s history, and in the Arab region.

“Every institution works within a different cultural and philanthropic context,” he explained. “I look forward to implementing similar practices at AUC, but of course, adapting them to the culture of Cairo, Egypt and the region.”

In Your Own Words

What is your favorite activity?

I’m an avid cyclist and kayaking enthusiast. Since I travel a lot, I have a folding bicycle and a folding kayak.  I've taken the kayak all over the world, including Venice, Sweden, France and Canada. Now in Cairo, I am tempted to join the other kayakers on the Nile. However, I am not sure about cycling in the streets of Cairo. 

What do you like to read?

I read a lot of nonfiction —  Middle East politics, world affairs, and so on. I’m currently reading a wonderful history of cycling in all its diversity. I’m also reading Whatever Happened to the Egyptians? by the late AUC professor Galal Amin, after a colleague recommended it to me.

What is your favorite Egyptian food?

My very first weekend in Cairo, I had Om Ali. It brought back memories of my earlier trips. I don't know if it's my favorite, but it's an Egyptian dessert I enjoy tremendously.

What is your greatest inspiration?

In a previous role, I was visiting Gaza to conduct interviews for potential scholarship recipients. I met a student who had applied to do a master’s in London. I asked her what her life was like in Gaza, and how she maintained her optimism and spirit despite all the hardships. 

She told me that when she’s feeling down, she goes to the sea, looks out at the horizon and thinks about what her life might be. Then I asked her what if there’s a curfew, as there often is in Gaza. She told me that she goes to the roof of her house and looks at the stars.

Her optimism and her hope, despite all of the challenges she faced, profoundly inspired me. (Needless to say, we gave her a scholarship!) This continues to drive me forward in the work that I do in higher education. 

Finally, what world problem(s) are you passionate about?

In terms of world problems, climate change has to rank at the top. I would like to advance any research or awareness that makes a contribution to addressing climate change. 

Working in higher education, I'm passionate about giving talented young people who may otherwise not have the chance to come to university, the opportunity for higher education. 

Within that, I'm especially interested in empowering women. Research shows that if you invest in educating women, it will have a transformative and positive effect not only on their lives, but also on their families, their communities, and the wider world.

Scholarships truly change lives.