Fairuz Yosef Issa, a graduating senior in the Journalism and Strategic Communication program, will address her fellow graduating students at the annual graduation ceremony as the Class of 2025 Speaker, reflecting on her undergraduate journey, the collective experience of her fellow peers, and the impact they are poised to make on the world.
Daughter of Colombian, Palestinian, and Lebanese immigrants, Fairuz embodies the complexity of identity and the strength of interwoven narratives. As she prepares to stand before her fellow graduating students, her speech will reflect their experiences and voices. “We are a class of global voice. We’ve lived across borders, faced uncertainty, and still found ways to lead, create, and care for one another,” Fairuz shared. “To speak on our behalf is personal. It’s a profound honor—and a responsibility I carry with deep care.”
Throughout her time at Northwestern Qatar, Fairuz has channeled her passion for advocacy and storytelling into academic research and public writing. Her co-authored research paper seeks to center marginalized perspectives in the study of genocide, challenging global power structures that obscure atrocities. “Northwestern Qatar gave me the space to ask difficult questions and the support to pursue the answers,” she said. “I learned that research isn’t just about answers; it’s about empowerment. And storytelling can be one of its most powerful forms.”
This commitment to storytelling, driven by evidence-based inquiry, has shaped the trajectory of her academic work. In exploring underrepresented histories and dismantling dominant narratives, she aspires to use her scholarship as a tool to amplify voices long suppressed by silence. “To study genocide is to sit with the silence,” she reflected. “But to deconstruct it, to challenge it, is to speak—no matter how uncomfortable it is, even when the world would rather you didn’t.”
Daughter of Colombian, Palestinian, and Lebanese immigrants, Fairuz embodies the complexity of identity and the strength of interwoven narratives. As she prepares to stand before her fellow graduating students, her speech will reflect their experiences and voices. “We are a class of global voice. We’ve lived across borders, faced uncertainty, and still found ways to lead, create, and care for one another,” Fairuz shared. “To speak on our behalf is personal. It’s a profound honor—and a responsibility I carry with deep care.”
Throughout her time at Northwestern Qatar, Fairuz has channeled her passion for advocacy and storytelling into academic research and public writing. Her co-authored research paper seeks to center marginalized perspectives in the study of genocide, challenging global power structures that obscure atrocities. “Northwestern Qatar gave me the space to ask difficult questions and the support to pursue the answers,” she said. “I learned that research isn’t just about answers; it’s about empowerment. And storytelling can be one of its most powerful forms.”
This commitment to storytelling, driven by evidence-based inquiry, has shaped the trajectory of her academic work. In exploring underrepresented histories and dismantling dominant narratives, she aspires to use her scholarship as a tool to amplify voices long suppressed by silence. “To study genocide is to sit with the silence,” she reflected. “But to deconstruct it, to challenge it, is to speak—no matter how uncomfortable it is, even when the world would rather you didn’t.”
Her work outside the classroom has been just as impactful. In a magazine writing course, she penned a personal narrative exploring the cultural and historical intersections of Arab and Latin American identities, an essay that went on to be published in The New Arab. Through this piece, she sought to reclaim shared histories and encourage a deeper understanding of diasporic experiences that often exist at the margins. “I wanted to highlight how our stories are interconnected, how identities shaped by migration and displacement are not separate but intertwined,” she explained. “By sharing these narratives, we build bridges between communities and challenge the boundaries that divide us.”
A passionate advocate for education and human rights, Fairuz has also been a prominent youth representative with Education Above All, where she participated in global forums, including COP16 in Cali, Colombia. These platforms have broadened her perspective as a communicator, reinforcing her commitment to amplifying voices from underrepresented communities. “These experiences gave me the chance to listen, learn, and speak up,” she said. “But the most important stories I carry are the ones I’ve lived and the ones I’ve heard from people who aren’t always given the mic.”
Looking toward the future, Fairuz envisions a world where stories like hers are not just heard, but centered in global conversations. She aims to continue using media as a tool to bridge divides, challenge dominant narratives, and champion excellence. “Stories don’t just reflect the world—they shape it,” she says. “I want to help shape a world where our stories are not just told, but heard, valued, and remembered.”
A passionate advocate for education and human rights, Fairuz has also been a prominent youth representative with Education Above All, where she participated in global forums, including COP16 in Cali, Colombia. These platforms have broadened her perspective as a communicator, reinforcing her commitment to amplifying voices from underrepresented communities. “These experiences gave me the chance to listen, learn, and speak up,” she said. “But the most important stories I carry are the ones I’ve lived and the ones I’ve heard from people who aren’t always given the mic.”
Looking toward the future, Fairuz envisions a world where stories like hers are not just heard, but centered in global conversations. She aims to continue using media as a tool to bridge divides, challenge dominant narratives, and champion excellence. “Stories don’t just reflect the world—they shape it,” she says. “I want to help shape a world where our stories are not just told, but heard, valued, and remembered.”
“Fairuz’s experience is a powerful reflection of the Class of 2025, a cohort shaped by global events, a wide range of experiences, and an unwavering sense of purpose. Her storytelling uniquely bridges personal histories with broader social issues, embodying the core values of excellence, resilience, and impact that define this graduating class. She stands as a prime example of the kind of leaders and changemakers we are proud to celebrate in the Class of 2025”
- Marwan M. Kraidy, dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar
Fairuz is among 118 dynamic leaders graduating with a range of academic achievements and global experiences. As they prepare to graduate, they are poised to make a lasting impact across the globe, continuing their journey of excellence in their respective fields and joining a network of alumni who are making a difference worldwide.
To learn more about the Class of 2025, click here.
To learn more about the Class of 2025, click here.
