Hijab,Opportunities, Dont Be Shy!

Dear Huda,

Congratulations!

You have been accepted into the 2012-2013 class of the NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program (NUFP)! As a Fellow, I hope you will enjoy the distinctive opportunities you will encounter in the myriad of experiences which await you your exploration of student affairs/higher education. Since the program’s inception in 1989, NUFP alumni have been active and contributing professionals on campuses throughout our country

HumdAllah! I was just notified that I was accepted into this program which gives me the chance to learn more about my intended career-Higher Education Administration. My mentor for this program is the Vice President of Student Affairs at NJCU-talk about networking!!

I just want to say while applying for this program I was hesitant to speak about myself as a hijabi, thinking it would mess up my chances of getting into the program, but I decided to do the exact opposite and I wrote all about my hijabi identity. Dont worry about your hijab or even Muslim name  getting in the way of getting that job or that internship, because its not the boss who gives you the job but rather it is Allah.

Here are some of the questions I had to answer, and how I incorporated the hijab:

       How have your historically disenfranchised identities affected your undergraduate career? Are there ways these identities have affected your decision to possibly pursue a career in student affairs or higher education?

As a Muslim woman who fully covers, I believe my outer-identity will always affect my undergraduate career.  One reason I am choosing this career is because I came to the conclusion that I have never seen a covered Muslim woman hold the position of dean, admissions counselor, or other administrative position in neither of the largely Muslim populated schools that I have attended .  I believe this is a problem as it may discourage a Muslim women from going to college because she may not feel welcomed or in place.

     Is there anything else significant of which you feel the selection committee should be aware?

I aspire to have a career in the field of Higher Education administration with a specific focus in Student Affairs.  This desire is motivated by my belief and observations that Muslim women are an underrepresented group in this career field and that there is a need to diversify the professional ranks in higher education.  Among my goals is to serve as a role model for young Muslim women and to serve as a voice sensitive to the cultural and religious tradition of this growing demographic population in the United States.