News & Impact

With growing Middle Eastern, Muslim, and Arabic populations at Arundel High School, Barbara Dziedzic supervised the development of a district-wide conference to explore issues of identity, culture, and faith. Planned in collaboration between the Muslim Student Association and the International Student Service Office, the project allowed students to investigate the world, recognize perspectives, communicate ideas, and take action through collaboration with teachers, parents, peers, and community members.

Today the United States Ambassador to Tunisia Jacob Walles announced the launch of the Thomas Jefferson Scholarship Program for students in Tunisia. The program, sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, will help build the workforce capacity of a diverse group of youth from underserved populations across Tunisia. Through academic and leadership training and practical experience in the United States, Thomas Jefferson scholars will gain a deeper understanding of American culture and new globally-applicable skills and expertise to help them contribute to the economic growth and development of Tunisia.

Growing up in a small town in the mountainous region of Baltistan, Pakistan Aniqa has first-hand knowledge of the many barriers to higher education . “Many secondary and junior high students do not have any one to guide them regarding what to study. They are unaware of the opportunities available and how to avail the resources around them” says Aniqa.  In order to support students from low-income families in her hometown, Aniqa organized tuition-free classes at a local religious center and recruited tutors from Pakistan’s leading universities to teach critical subjects such as mathematics, science, and technology.