Education
University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
• M.A. in Middle Eastern Studies, June 2004
• GPA 3.9 (4.0 in Arabic classes)
• Awarded Foreign Language and Area Studies grant for intensive summer Arabic study; completed three academic years of Arabic within two-year degree framework
• Thesis topic: Western Interpretations of Qissat al-Gharānīq (the “Satanic Verses”)
Saint John’s University, Collegeville, MN
• B.A. in English, May 1998
• Dean’s scholarship recipient for four years
• Wrote for campus newspaper and literary magazines
Professional Experience
Apprentice Arabic Literary Translator, Chicago, IL, 6/2004 – current
• Translate selections of Arabic literature under direction of Dr. Farouk A. W. Mustafa, University of Chicago; proofread, edit, and type translated manuscripts for publication
• Acknowledged in print for contributions to Birds of Amber by Ibrahim Abdel Meguid (American University in Cairo Press, April 2005) and The Lodging House by Khairi Shalabi (AUC Press, January 2007)
International Programs Administrator, Heartland Alliance, Chicago, IL, 9/2004 – 3/2007
• Research, write, edit, and track grant proposals for trauma recovery and human rights programs based overseas
• Translate affidavits and personal documents for Arabic-speaking clients in Heartland Alliance’s asylum, detention, and domestic violence programs; interpret during interviews and accompany clients to proceedings
• Manage relationships with individual and institutional donors, consultants, and volunteers
• Support personnel traveling internationally by arranging health care and emergency evacuation coverage, transportation and accommodation, and processing travel advances
• Trainings include “ABC’s of Grant Writing” workshop at Donor’s Forum of Chicago, “Working With Clients With Mental Illness” training at Heartland Training Center for Human Service Excellence
TEFL Volunteer, U. S. Peace Corps/Jordan, 7/1998 – 10/2000
• Lived in Bedouin village and taught English, grades four through eight, at local public school
• Planned, developed, and implemented communicative team-teaching approach with Jordanian counterpart teacher and adapted government English curriculum accordingly
• Participated in training seminar for Jordanian teachers
• Conducted English classes for laborers at archaeological dig site during summer breaks
• Intensive homestay-based training program included 235 hours colloquial Jordanian Arabic, 86 hours cross-cultural training, 135 hours technical training, and 27 hours medical training