My academic background is one that is diverse
and eclectic and yet is focused on the human
experience. My focus academically and otherwise over the years has been
human diversity and conflicts.
My Bachelors Degree in History was focused on
the cultural
and historical developments of Eastern Europe. My first Masters Degree was in
Political Geography (or Geopolitics) with a focus on Eastern Europe and the
Middle East. Though my education has mainly revolved around social sciences and
political science, I have through my research and personal experience and interests, studied religion,
environmental issues, mythology and sculpting. Currently I am finishing
my second Masters degree in Conflict Resolution from Portland State
University, with a focus on Sacred Space and Nationalism. Most of my
studies have focused on ethnic or nationalistic tensions. I also hold a
certificate in Mediation Training from Clackamas County Dispute
Resolution Center. I also helped in establishing the Model Arab League at PSU,
which now carries out an annual festival to bring together Muslim
students on campus and bring to all knowledge of their culture and arts. I have worked
with several Mediation groups recently doing Outreach and Assessment
work. I worked with East Metro Mediation in Gresham, where I designed and
executed a program assessment for East Metro Mediation that examined,
how often East Metro Mediation was referred by segments of the
population working with the public. This project continues as a
public outreach program. At Clackamas County Dispute Resolution Center I
was trained in mediation and made assessment calls on
their program.
