Meet the 2013-2014 Board
Donia Attia Year: Third Major: Biology Languages: Arabic and French	Shohreh Kahhal Year: Second Major: Pre-med Languages: Farsi	Ayesha Arshad Year: Third Major: Public Policy and Economics Languages: Urdu, Hindi, some French & Punjabi

2013-2014 Board

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Bios:

Donia Attia

Hey guys and welcome to the lovely University of Virginia! My name is Donia Attia and I am a rising third year. I am so excited to be a part of the Middle Eastern Mentoring Program’s executive team for the 2013-2014 academic year! I was born and raised in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, a town in the suburbs of Philadelphia. I am proudly of 100% Egyptian descent and am very dedicated to staying connected to my culture and visiting the motherland as often as I can. I enjoy staying active and playing outside and particularly love tennis, soccer, and skiing in the wintertime. In my free time I like to read, watch movies, sketch, bake, and experiment with all kinds of craft-making. I am also extremely passionate about music as I play the piano and sing and love exploring new, independent artists. Being involved with the vast and prominent Middle Eastern community here at UVa has been an amazing and highly beneficial experience thus far. MEMP has introduced me to a set of awesome people that are unique and diverse yet share a surprising number of similarities. It gave me the chance to meet my amazing mentor from first year and my current mentee who are now two of my greatest friends. I look forward to meeting all of you next year! Feel free to email me at dha6ug@virginia.edu.

Shohreh Kahhal

Greetings Middle Eastern Wahoos!!!  My name is Shohreh Kahhal. I am a proudly Iranian rising second year student at UVA. I was born in Tehran and lived there for thirteen years, after which I immigrated to America. As you might have guessed if you speak Farsi, my name translates into Famous Eye Doctor. And, Yes. I do want to become a doctor, but gladly neither my culture nor the meaning of my name has anything to do with this. I simply am passionate about and enjoy helping others. As a first year student, I felt overwhelmed and lost at times both socially and academically. However, despite all these difficulties which a lot of first year students experience, I managed to reach out for the numerous resources that were available to me. As a member of the exec board, my goal is to provide you with all the resources and support that you need. I also want you to have fun and develop new relationships.  So, please, please, please reach out to us and ask for any type of help or advice you might need. Keep in mind that we are here to help you have a memorable first year experience. Let’s make it happen!!!  Reach me at sk2ka@virginia.edu.

Ayesha Arshad

Hi Guys!
My name is Ayesha Arshad and I am third year double majoring in Public Policy and Economics.  I was born and raised in Alexandria, Va…whooo go NOVA, but both my parents are originally from Pakistan. I love playing sports like volleyball and basketball, eating different cuisines, shopping, baking, and being sarcastic. I am a pretty loud person once you get to know me and I am always down to try something new.  At UVA I am the Publicity and Outreach share for Spread the Love, Minister of Community Operations at the International Residential College, and most importantly on MEMP Exec Board. I joined the MEMP Exec Board because I wanted to make sure you guys have someone you can always come to whenever you have questions or need advice on anything.  Adjusting to UVA as a first year can kind of be overwhelming but hopefully MEMP can help guide you and ease your transition into the University.

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2012-2013 Board

Mina Fawze

Shlonkum, MEMP? That was just a friendly greeting of “How are you?”, specific to my home country of Iraq! My name is Mina Fawze, and I am an avid Redditor, Whovian, and tea-drinker – and your co-chair! Being a second year, my first year experience is still quite fresh in my mind. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that this past year was one of significant growth and change, and while I felt a little worse for wear at some moments, I can’t deny that my first year of college was an amazing one. I learned how to really balance study and fun (which is not to say that I ever got sufficient sleep), get involved in the activities and clubs that interested me (many of which made me much closer to the Middle Eastern community), and maintain close relationships with the family and friends at home (while making new friends in Charlottesville)! The Middle Eastern Mentoring Program played a huge part in all of the growth I underwent throughout my first year, and I don’t think I could have been as successful without the guidance, support, and community I gained through MEMP. I hope that as someone on the board, I can provide that stability to all you ‘Hoos.The University can sometimes feel like a very scary or lonely place, and it’s nice to know there will always be something to fall back on that will hear you out.

Mohammed ShaVi
“Hello. My name is Mohammed. Mohammed ShaVi. People call me ShaVi. You want a chocolate?” (If you don’t know what I am talking about by now, you should go and watch the greatest movie of all time, aka Forrest Gump.) I am a proud second-year cavalier, double-majoring in Chemical Engineering and Material Science with a minor in 9gags. Upon leaving my home country, Saudi Arabia, last year, my mother told me that life’s a box of chocolate and you never know what you are going to get. UVa happened to be the sweetest, and the most awesome kind of chocolate that I have ever tasted. In spite the fact that I spent more time in Clemons Library than in my room, every day in my first year was a unique adventure that I absolutely loved and enjoyed. This is one of the main reasons I joined MEMP as a co-chair; I want our amazing first years to know how great and awesome UVa is. There are hundreds of opportunities here to build up your personality and gain knowledge, confidence, and experience. You just need to take the first step, and we are here to help you take this step.

Some random facts about me is that I use the word awesome A LOT. I’m awesome sure awesome that awesome you awesome will awesome notice awesome this awesome when awesome you awesome meet awesome me. I also Love running barefoot in the rain.

Always remember that if you want to talk about your social life at UVa, your classes, philosophy, science, politics, history, or life in general, I am always there to provide help and guidance.

Get excited for your first year! UVa is awesome and I am sure that you will love it.

Nedda Najand
Hey guys!

My name is Nedda Najand and I am a 3rd year in the Comm School.  I am originally from Virginia Beach and proudly Persian.  I’m planning on doing marketing and financing, but my dream one day is to be a talk show host or news anchor, yes think Christiane Amanpour.  I worked for Katie Couric this past summer; so if you’re interested in that industry and NYC in general, let me know! I am super enthusiastic and am always down to try something new.  I have a voracious appetite for Middle-Eastern food (kabob forever), but I get grossed out by feta – I know don’t kill me. I am President of the Persian Culture Society, on the Social Committee of Third-Year Council, and play Club Tennis.  I also have my own cooking show on YouTube, check out Nomz With Nedda! Most importantly, I am a mentor to you incoming first-years! I joined MEMP Exec. Board because I want to make sure you guys have someone you can always come to whenever you have questions or need advice.  Being a first-year is extremely difficult because of the overwhelming opportunities and activities going on.  Join MEMP and let us help guide you to learn everything about the University in a social, academic, and physical aspect. Whether you have questions about professors or gaining the Freshman 15, I’ve got your back.