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Arab & Arab American Heritage Month: Not All Superheroes Wear Capes: ARC Educators & Students

What is this? How would I participate?

April is Arab American Heritage Month. The ARC Library is highlighting Arab & Arab American superheroes, those that appear in comic books and on screen, and those who are members of the ARC community :)

If you have questions or if you're interested in participating, please contact David McCusker mccuskd@arc.losrios.edu. If you'd like to participate, please send a photo and whatever information you want to share. Submissions would appear on this page, in the library, and in other locations around campus (for example the Unite Center and in some homebases).

What info would you share? You can share anything you'd like. Here are some possibilities:

  • What your superpowers are.
  • Your role at ARC.
  • Your education and/or career goals.
  • Something you'd like people to know about Arab or Arab American History or Heritage.
  • A poem or quote that moves or inspires you.
  • A memory or story that's important to you.

Gratitude: Thank you, thank you, thank you to the folks whose counsel, wisdom, and labor helped make this project possible: Faryal Said, Aesha Abduljabbar, Jian Alsarraj, Sumiah Alharasis, Munaf Naji, and David Miramontes-Quiñones.

 

Sumiah Alharasis

Education is the key to success and many other critical aspects of our lives. As Malcolm X stated, it “is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” Working at the HomeBase for People, Culture & Society allows me to enjoy being part of the ARC family as a whole. By connecting students to different resources on campus, providing guidance through many different processes and ideas, and forming a bond with students on a personal level to navigate their emotions and support them on their journey to success, my experience at the HomeBase is rewarding and inspiring.

Sumiah Alharasis

Jian Alsarraj

“I am Jian Alsarraj; a counselor - faculty at the Disability Services & Programs for Students/DSP&S and Extended Opportunity Programs for Students/EOP&S - American River College. I am from Baghdad, Iraq, Arabic is my first language. As an immigrant - refugee, I have encountered and overcome numerous challenges in life and education. My primary objective is to inspire and assist students in overcoming their obstacles to achieve their academic and career goals. Drawing from my background and experiences, I am eager to share my insights and contribute to the enrichment of our community. My equity minded focus is to understand the students’ needs, meet them where they are, and provide support based on the students’ circumstances.”

Munaf Naji

I am the Instructional Lab Science Supervisor at ARC.

My academic background and being an employee at American River College have given me the confidence and skills needed to help others in my community to achieve their goals.

I also learned people with different backgrounds bring different ideas that can contribute to the growth of our college and our community.

I am very proud of the work I do to promote equity and social justice at ARC and in my community.