Nadia Irsheidat

From my personal experience, I believe that patience is a virtue. The second important thing I would emphasize is the necessity of believing in yourself. There will be times when things become difficult and challenging, and you may feel tempted to give up—especially in a community that often adheres to traditional masculine norms. Frustration can arise, but it's crucial to persevere and maintain your self-belief. No matter how many people may support you, their belief alone won't make a difference; it's up to you to take that first step and trust in your own abilities. One principle I strongly advocate is to step out of your comfort zone as safely as possible. Women are often shaped by societal molds, leading them to forget their adaptability and the unique skills they possess—skills that men might not have, such as multitasking. We can handle multiple tasks simultaneously and excel at it. Additionally, I encourage everyone to stay true to their values. One of the challenges I’ve faced is upholding my values, which I refuse to compromise. This isn't due to a lack of flexibility, but rather a matter of prioritizing what matters most to me—my family. Many opportunities have arisen that could have taken me away from Columbia, Missouri, but my family comes first, and that's a value I consistently uphold. Being true to your values allows you to be authentic in whatever pursuits you engage in. Furthermore, I urge you to explore all possibilities; you never know where a new passion might emerge from seeking different opportunities. And above all, always remember to learn, learn, learn.

My top priority is my family, a value I have always upheld above everything else. While I have had various opportunities, such as potentially moving out of Columbia, Missouri, my family remains my foremost concern. Staying true to my values allows me to be authentic in various areas of interest. I am also deeply passionate about student success. In my advising work, I focus not only on academic guidance but also on holistic advising. This means I engage with students about their goals, hobbies, and overall lives, helping them connect what they learn at the university to real-life applications. I place a high value on reflexivity in everything I do. I don’t expect myself to be perfect; instead, I see myself as a learner in this journey of life. I am a process-oriented person, and it brings me great joy to evaluate and update processes to make them more flexible for our students. Helping others is very important to me, and my work is one way I can assist those in need.