Paul Alexander who was taught, advised, and supported by Center faculty was awarded a prestigious Fulbright Islamic Civilizations grant to study in Syria during 2006-2007.  Mr. Alexander, who is working on his Masters degree in Comparative Literature, will be conducting research on Arabic poetry from the period of the Crusades.

After a summer in Lebanon, Amanda Lanthorne (2005) began her M.A. degree in Middle East and Asian Languages and Cultures at Columbia University in the fall of 2005.  Her studies focus on Arabic language and literature.  After she receives her degree, she hopes to work for an aid organization in the Middle East.

Michael Lundell (2005) began his Ph.D. in Literature at UCSD in the fall of 2006.  His dissertation will focus the significance of the divergences in the English translations of 1001 Nights.  He plans to continue his Arabic studies in the Middle East in the summer of 2007.

Lilla Luu (2005) began her Ph.D. at Harvard Divinity School in the fall of 2005.  Her studies focus on South Asian religious traditions.

Peggy Marron (2002) went on to pursue an M.A. degree in Homeland Security as SDSU, before applying for jobs with the U.S. government.

Kesser Mohammed (2006) began her M.A. degree in Women's Studies at SDSU in the fall of 2006.  Her studies focus on women in the Muslim World.  She is also working at SDSU's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

Ala Shehadeh (2005) began her M.A. in Social Work at SDSU in the fall of 2006, after having worked at the Charter School of San Diego.