Jood Alkibsy

How did you choose your degree program?

My choice of Sociology (with a concentration in inequality and social change) was solely because of my lifelong goal of liberation in all forms. I chose this major because it offered me a way to study and understand why society is structured the way that it does, and exposed me to historically proposed solutions for social and global struggles. Of course, I saw a gap in sociology due to its lack of requirement of intersectionality in its framework so I sought my minor in Women and Gender Studies to support my application of sociology.

How did your academic experiences in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences impact you?

My time at CHSS definitely shaped me as an academic and person. Not only were the courses engaging, but the professors were always so immersed in what they were teaching and sought to challenge students. They fostered in me a desire to question everything I am faced with and a boldness to consider unconventional approaches to injustice.

What accomplishment(s) during your time at Mason are you most proud of?

I do not have specific accomplishments that I am proud of, but I am immensely proud of the communities I found and was a part of at Mason and the work that we did as collectives. These communities are the ones that make Mason the beautiful, proud and bold space that it is and they are the ones at the forefront in changing Mason for the better.

Are there faculty or staff members who made a difference during your Mason career?

I am forever grateful for the professors and mentors I met and was able to work with throughout my time at Mason. Nearly every professor I’ve encountered at CHSS has shaped my academic journey positively one way or another. To name a few, Dr. Yasemin Ipek believed in me and pushed me to fulfill my true potential, even when I doubted myself and the power of my work completely. Dr. Sumaiya Hamdani made school feel like home and I found a comfort in her classrooms that is invaluable and everyone deserves to feel. Dr. David Powers Corwin taught me to challenge myself and gave me the space to choose how to apply my knowledge which granted me a confidence that I am thankful to them for. And Dr. Nancy Hanrahan developed in me a love for sociology that made my academic journey so enjoyable.

What are your current career plans following graduation? What are your long-term career goals?

My current career plans are to pursue academia and become an academic of SWANA and the Arab world. In the process, I hope to further my knowledge on SWANA and Arab Studies, feminist theory and decolonization and all things that overlap them. My goal within and without academia is to challenge colonial and white supremacist systems and institutions and work towards a future where all oppressed peoples are liberated.