Feruza Aripova
Feruza Aripova works for the Community Multicultural Awareness Program in Klaipeda, Lithuania. A recent graduate in Theology from the LCC International University, she also received a Bachelor’s degree from the Uzbek State World Language University. Between 2002-2004 Feruza worked as an English-Russian-Uzbek translator and interpreter for the Defense Energy Support Center – Middle East, and recently worked for the university, as an assistant to the Director of Expatriate Recruitment. For her graduation from the LCC International University, Feruza wrote a thesis on the concept of Shalom in Muslim and Christian contexts.
Susan Ayero
Susan Ayero is a dual degree Master’s candidate and is expected to complete her studies at the Heller School’s Sustainable International Development in 2009. She received her Bachelor’s degree in forestry science from Makereere University in Uganda, and in 2004 obtained a management diploma from Uganda Management Institute. In 2005, after five years of working for Africa 2000 Network, Susan served as a program assistant for African Women’s Economic Policy Network. In recent years Susan has also worked as a consultant for several organizations in Uganda.
Joachim Ayitey
Joachim Ayitey is a dual degree Master’s candidate with the Heller School for Social Policy and Management (Sustainable International Development) and the Coexistence and Conflict programs. He is a graduate of the University of Ghana, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science.
Elizabeth Ayot
Elizabeth Ayot is a Fulbright student from Uganda. She received her Bachelor’s of Laws Degree in 2003 from the Uganda Christian University, after which she attended the Kampala Law Development Center so as to receive a Legal Practice diploma. Prior to attending the Brandeis MA program, Elizabeth was a teaching assistant of business and development at Gulu University and volunteered as an assistant for the Gulu District Land Tribunal.
Jamie Costigan
Jamie Costigan is a Boren Fellow and a dual degree Master’s candidate, and will soon complete the first portion of her degree, with the Heller School’s Sustainable International Development program. She graduated from Suffolk University in 2003, with a Bachelor’s in English and International Relations. After her graduation, Jamie volunteered with the US Peace Corps, serving as a youth developer in Morocco, where she taught English and developed youth leadership programs.
Tashi Lama Dhundup
Tashi Lama Dhundup is a member of the consular section for the American embassy in Nepal, where he dealt with the issue of asylum requests and family reunification. His role also extended to the issue of Tibetan refugees in Nepal. Prior to that he was involved with the works of Radio Free Asia, a US funded radio station dedicated to promoting free press in Asia. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of Delhi, and prior to his arrival at Brandeis, was pursuing a diploma in Mass Communication from Indira Gandhi National Open University, in Nepal. His article, “Not their own war,” was recently published in an issue of Himal Magazine.
Mubarik Ali Dogar Mubarik
Ali Dogar is a scriptwriter and news editor for the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation. Mubarik studied Economics, as well as Political Science and History. He is a graduate of the National University of Modern Languages of Islamabad, where he resides.
Mustafa Dualeh
Mustafa Dualeh is a dual degree candidate for the combined program between the Heller School (Sustainable International Development) and the Master’s in Coexistence and Conflict Resolution. He received his Bachelor’s from Saint Olaf College in Northfield, MN, where he majored in Political Science. In 2007 Mustafa participated in Upward Bound, as an academic advisor for low-income high school students, and prior to that he was active in co-founding the Muslim Student Association at his College. While at Saint Olaf, Mustafa was also a member of the Multicultural Student Council as well as employed by the College’s office of Multicultural Affairs.
Diler Erdengiz
Diler Erdengiz is a recent graduate of Tufts University, where she majored in International relations, focusing on conflict and transitional justice. In 2007, Diler served as the assistant to the ambassador for the Observer Mission of the Organization of the Islamic Conference to the UN, and prior that, as a research assistant for the Committee on Missing Persons in her Native Cyprus. During her undergraduate studies, Diler volunteered for the "One Campaign" and "Boston Mobilization". She co-published the article "Portraits of Grief" in 2007 which appeared in Contexts magazine.
Sergine Gakwaya
Sergine Gakwaya received both a diploma in modern languages and a Bachelor’s degree in law from the National University of Rwanda. She is a program manager for the Lutheran World Federation – Department of World Service, Rwanda, where she assists in implementation and monitoring of the Federation’s development programs. In the past Sergine has also worked for CARE International, Burate District Electoral Commission and as a translator for the Gender and Water Alliance. She has participated in numerous workshops and seminars regarding peace building, advocacy skills and gender mainstreaming.
Musue Haddad
Musue Haddad is a Liberian photo-journalist and human rights advocate whose journalistic practices focused on the ambiguous life of people in Liberia and highlighting the frequent and wide spread human rights violations carried out by the then administration of ex-president Charles Taylor, and the implications the violation had on citizens. Those choices she made in her journalistic practices were regarded by the Taylor administration as adversative, consequently resulting to her life in exile in 2000. In exile, Musue continued to draw international attention to the human rights situation in Liberia, and the implications of such violations on the peace, stability and development of the West African Sub-region. She is a recipient of many awards, including Human Rights Watch Hellmann-Hammett Award, granted to writers who have been the targets of political persecution; the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area, (UNA-NCA), Human Rights Award for her “outstanding dedication and service towards the recognition, promotion and protection of the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family. Musue is formerly a Hubert Humphrey Fellow at the University of Maryland, College Park, Merrill School of Journalism, and a 2000 Visiting Scholar at Columbia University, Center for Human Rights and Advocacy Training in New York. She holds a Master of International Policy and Practice, (MIPP) from George Washington University.
Wendy Jason
Wendy Jason received her undergraduate degree in Sociology and Applied Social Relations from Eastern Connecticut State University in 1999. Since then she has served as an advocate and case manager for organizations in Connecticut, Alaska and Florida, providing crisis interventions, therapeutic programs, and youth mental health services. She has volunteered for a Hospice, a domestic violence shelter and a crisis hotline, as well as with community development organizations in Tanzania and Jamaica.
Shazia Karim
Shazia Karim is a recent graduate of the National University of Modern Languages in Islamabad, Pakistan, where she received her Master’s of Arts, English Literature and Linguistics. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree from both Karakoram International University and Panjub University, majoring in Education and Sociology. Shazia has worked as a teacher in the city of Gilgit. She is a member of the Aga Khan Reconciliation and Arbitration Board, and a founding member of the Village Conflict Resolution Committee.
Robert Rogers J. Lochap
Robert Rogers J. Lochap is a district coordinator for the UNDP in Uganda, in the department of Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit (CPR). He also worked as a National United Nations volunteer (NUNV) in Uganda, for Karamoja, where he worked on the implementation of the Human Security Project, Peace and Development as well as other peace initiatives. He received a Bachelors Degree in Social Science from Makerere University, a diploma in education from ITEK, Uganda, and a Leadership Certificate from the East African Uongozi Institute, Tanzania, Dar-Salam. Robert also worked as a Field Assistant for ADRA/Adventist Development and Relief Agency/WFP Project under the Quick Action Program (QAP) for Karamoja region. Prior to his job with the UNDP, Robert was a program coordinator for the Tunga Rural Cross Border Development Initiative (TOBARI). Robert is a recipient of a Ford Foundation Scholarship.
Batjargal Lkhagva
Batjargal Lkhagva received his Bachelor’s degree in Communications Engineering from the Institute of Military Communications in Russia, in 1985. Since his graduation he has worked with at-risk and disadvantaged youth and as a councilor and trainer for different programs, including the Adventist Development & Relief Agency at his homeland of Mongolia. Prior to this he worked for the Mongolian Police, as chief of Bayankhongor Province’s Social Defense & Safety.
Emmanuel Ling’aa
Emmanuel Ling’aa is a district coordinator for the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission in Kitale, Kenya. As district coordinator he performs conflict mediation between communities and manages civic education programs. Prior to his work the Commission, Emmanuel worked as an assistant teacher. He received a Bachelor’s in Education, and holds several certificates for both secondary and primary education. Emmanuel is a recipient of the Ford Foundation scholarship.
Christian Mani
Christian Mani is a member of the United Nations Mission in Sudan. During his position as a Civil Affairs officer, Christian monitors the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and serves as a liaison between government officials and local authorities, coordinating UN agencies and other humanitarian assistance. He received his Bachelor’s of Art from the University of Sierra Leone, majoring in Political Sociology and History. Christian also holds a UNDP certificate, as well as a certificate form the Human Rights Forum in Sierra Leone. Prior to his employment with the UN, Christian worked for USAID / Office of Transition Initiatives, as a master trainer, training youth and ex-combatants in peace-building, community development and rule of law
Roman Macabia
Roman Macabia is the assistant parish priest at the Vicariate of Tabuk Pastoral Center, The Philippines, where he participates in community organization of and mediation between conflicting tribes. He received a Bachelor’s degree in philosophy from San Pablo Major Seminary and Baccalaureates in Theology from the Immaculate Conception School of Theology. In 2003 Roman became an ordained priest. In 2006 his piece on the biblical perspectives of peace was published in Kalinga. Roman is a recipient of a Ford Foundation scholarship.
Madris Njoka
Madris Njoka has recently completed her Master’s in Sustainable International Development, at Brandeis University’s Heller School for Social Policy and Management. Madris holds a diploma in business management, from the Kenya Institute of Management, as well as a Bachelor’s in community development, which she received from Daystar University in Nairobi. She has spent several years as a coordinator of community and professional development projects in Kenya, for the Christian Community Services as well as for Compassion International.
Kalu Obuka
Kalu Obuka is a government policy monitor in Saitama-Ken, Japan, where he assists in providing policies for foreign residents. He was an assistant language teacher in the Japanese Exchange and Teaching program, teaching both in elementary and junior high. Kalu received his Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Politics from the University of Exeter, the United Kingdom. He has also volunteered with WORLDwrite in London, which educates children in matters of multiculturalism and global equality.
Paul Ogalo
Paul Ogalo is a project Officer working for Seeds of Peace Africa – International where he has been working on field implementation of peace building programs in Gambella region in Ethiopia and East Upper-Nile in Sudan. Paul is also the founder and Chairman of Center for Regeneration and Empowerment of Africa Through Africa (CREATA) – a peace and development urgency networking communities for peace, justice and international solidarity. In 2002 he graduated from Tangaza College – Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) with a bachelor’s of Arts in Social Ministry in Mission. Several of his writings have been published including "Youth and Popular education" in the book “Africa is not a dark continent”. Paul is a recipient of a Ford Foundation scholarship.
Orlee Rabin
Orlee Rabin is a dual degree candidate with the Coexistence Master’s Program and the Heller School for Social Policy and Management. She Graduated from Kenyon College in 2006 where she majored in Psychology, and previously also attended the Lowy School for Overseas Students in Tel Aviv, where she studied conflict resolution and Middle East Studies. Prior to her arrival to Brandeis, Orlee has worked for the RockRose Institute in California as a Youth Dialogue Project Coordinator aimed at cross-cultural exchange and conflict resolution, as well as a conflict resolution coordinator for middle schools in Oakland. Orlee also interned in Israel at the Abraham Fund Initiatives and at Search for Common Ground
Nery Joubert-Rivera
Nery Joubert-Rivera is a dual degree candidate who recently completed the portion of her degree at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management, focusing on youth and gender. Prior to attending Brandeis University, Nery received a Bachelor’s in business administration and an MBA in accounting. She has also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Romania.
Alzad Sattar
Alzad Sattar is the presidential executive assistant at Basilian State College, the Philippines, where he also received his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, and has worked towards a Master’s of Arts in Education and in Public Administration, and a Doctoral degree in Education. He served the college as Dean of student affairs and, prior to that, as an advisor to the Bachelor of Arts department. In 2005 Alzad received a Master’s in Islamic studies from the University of the Philippines. He is active in several organizations, among them the JAGA Human Rights movement, The Alliance of Concerned Teachers, the Taytayan Group Association and the Al-Balagh Religious Association. Alzad is the recipient of a Ford Foundation scholarship.
Jean-Marie Vianney Sekamana
Jean-Marie Vianney Sekamana was the head of management and auctioning of public assets for the Rwanda Public Procurement Authority Under the Ministry of Finance. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Physical and Sports Education from Burundi University, and has received training in public procurement, group organization and in information, education and communication. Jean-Marie’s past experience also includes HIV-AIDS and environmental education and training as well as guidance in a workshop dealing with conservation and management of African Highlands. He works as an elected judge with the traditional courts (GACACA) for the National Unit & Reconciliation, after the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.
Safia Trabelsi
Safia Trabelsi is a program assistant for the International Planed Parenthood Federation’s Arab World Regional offices in Tunisia, in which she works on the monitoring and implementation of the projects promoting reproductive health and rights. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Marketing from the Faculty of Economics ad Business of Tunis, and has worked since in marketing and development for US companies (International Business Incubator), a Turkish factory and local, Tunisian, NGOs and businesses. Safia is a recipient of a Fulbright grant for foreign students.